Australian Immigration Daily News

Securing Australia’s recovery

The Government’s economic plan to secure Australia’s recovery through:

● Personal income tax cuts

To facilitate Australia’s economic recovery, the 2021-22 Migration Program ceiling will be maintained at 160,000 places – which includes 79,600 Skill and 77,300 Family stream places. To ensure Australia remains one of the most generous humanitarian resettlement countries in the world, the Humanitarian Program will have 13,750 places in 2021-22 and maintain our long-term commitment to humanitarian resettlement.

The hospitality and tourism sector has suffered serious negative impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly given its historic reliance on temporary visa holders to support the sector. The Government will increase flexibility for student visa holders to work beyond the current 40 hour per fortnight limit in the hospitality and tourism sectors. This builds on the existing flexibility arrangements for student visa holders to work in critical sectors as part of the COVID-19 response.

The Government will also extend the validity period for Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas by 18 months for individuals who are unable to use their visas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.

The following email was received from the Department of Home Affairs:

Following the presentation to Migration Alliance members from the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction, please find attached a document detailing the role of Business Industry and Regional Outreach Officers (BIROs).

Source: Role-and-details-of-BIROs.pdf

The Morrison Government today announced that owing to the ongoing unrest in Myanmar, Myanmar nationals currently in Australia on temporary visas may apply to extend their stay until it is safe to return home. The Australian Government will be writing to all Myanmar citizens temporarily in Australia with further advice on how to remain lawful in Australia.

The Government has expressed Australia’s condemnation of the ongoing violence in Myanmar. Today’s announcement of support is consistent with Australia’s international obligations. A range of options may be available to suit individual circumstances, including the grant of new visas. Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alex Hawke MP said today’s announcement would enable affected individuals to remain in Australia until the situation in Myanmar improves.

“This measure provides a means for Myanmar citizens in Australia to remain here until it is safe for them to return home,” Minister Hawke said.

The purpose of the instrument is to clarify the types of former Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa (Subclass 600 visa) holders who can apply for a new Subclass 600 visa with a nil visa application charge (VAC) where their travel to Australia has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Under subparagraph 1236(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 to the Migration Regulations, the Minister may specify a class of persons who are applicants with a nil VAC amount for Visitor (Class FA) visas, which includes Subclass 600 visas.  The instrument amends LIN 21/021 to clarify the applicants for a Subclass 600 visa who are in a class of person for a nil VAC.

Source: LIN21033.pdf and LIN21033-Explanatory-Statement.pdf