Australian Immigration Daily News

This instrument operates to determine international trade obligations of Australia for the purposes of paragraph 140GBA(1)(c) of the Migration Act 1958. This instrument acts alongside instrument Migration (LIN 18/183: Determination of International Trade Obligations relating to Labour Market Testing) Instrument 2018, made under subsection 140GBA(2) of the Migration Act 1958.

The instrument gives domestic effect to Australia’s commitments under the Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus (PACER Plus) for the purposes of labour market testing. PACER Plus will enter into force 60 days after the date on which eight countries notify the Depository (in this instance, the Government of Tonga) of their ratification of PACER Plus.

Some or all of this item commenced on 13/12/2020
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2018L01821

The Assessment for Migration Office will be closed from 25 December and re-opening on 4 January 2021 for the holidays. Please note that assessments may take longer than the estimated 10 to 12 weeks due to the holiday closure. 

Source: https://www.aitsl.edu.au/migrate-to-australia/notices

RDAs will start processing visas in Feb 2021! 

Regional Development Australia (RDA) offices will begin assisting NSW Treasury manage the subclass 491 visa in early February 2021.

Each RDA office will accept and assess applications and determine eligible occupations for their respective regions; however, nomination criteria is consistent across all regions. 

Information about how to apply will be made available on RDA websites as soon as possible. Links to participating region websites can be found below. 

The instrument specifies the minimum amount of taxable income for the income year 2019-2020 and previous income years since income year 2011-2012.

Item was registered on 10/12/2020
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L01553

Source:  https://benchmarkinc.com.au/web/