Australian Immigration Daily News

In this particular case, the AAT affirmed a decision of the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (the Department) not to revoke the mandatory cancellation of the applicant’s spouse visa. He was found to not be of good character. 

By way of background, the applicant’s visa was cancelled on character grounds because he had a substantial criminal record and was serving a sentence of imprisonment. This was a mandatory cancellation (under s501) by the Department after the applicant was sentenced to 15 years in prison for attempting to possess a commercial quantity of methamphetamine.

When a person has requested revocation of the cancellation of the visa and that request has been refused by the Department, they can seek a merits review in the AAT of the decision.

As many would be aware, PMSOL list is now being prioritised by the Department of Home Affairs in relation.  Whilst accredited sponsors will continue to receive “priority” processing, a further slowdown of the processing time can be expected.  The following advice has been received from the Department of Home Affairs Employer Sponsored delivery team:

Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and applications will still be processed, but priority will be given to those relating to occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). Further information regarding the PMSOL is available at:

Australian Citizenship Act 2007
An Act relating to Australian citizenship
Item was amended
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2007A00020

Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Act 2020
An Act to amend the Australian Citizenship Act 2007, and for related purposes
Item was registered on 18/09/2020
Some or all of this item commenced on 18/09/2020
https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/C2020A00088

Migration Alliance has received the following email from the Department of Home Affairs:

Please see the link below to the Skilled Visa Newsletter for September 2020. 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/skilled-visa-newsletters/september-2020

The Migration Amendment (COVID-19 Concessions) Regulations 2020 (the COVID-19 Concessions Regulations) amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to assist certain temporary and provisional visa holders, including individuals who are on a pathway to permanent residence, who have been disadvantaged by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as border closures, restrictions imposed on businesses and the general economic downturn.

Schedule 1 to the COVID-19 Concessions Regulations amends the Migration Regulations in six Parts.

Part 1 – COVID-19 concession period inserts concession period as a defined term in the Migration Regulations. The initial concession period begins on 1 February 2020 and continues until a date determined by the Minister in a legislative instrument. Additional concession periods can be specified as required, to begin immediately after the end of the initial concession period or at a later date. The duration of a concession period may vary for different purposes.