Australian Immigration Daily News

The Government's Economic and Fiscal Outlook released by the government shows the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic across all parts of the Australian economy, including migration.

The Outlook revealed a few key assumptions on how the pandemic will continue to affect migration to Australia:

As most of our readers are aware, between July and December 2020, only Australian Citizens, Permanent Residents, New Zealanders, a small number of international students, and those with a valid Temporary Visa and Travel Exemption will be able to travel to Australia, based on announced policy to date.

As we continue to navigate through what appears to be a second wave of COVID19 pandemic, various States and Territories are announcing how they will be managing incoming international passengers

Below is a State by State update international inbound flight restrictions.

New South Wales

A member of Migration Alliance, and Registered Migration Agent, John Young, received the following email from the Department of Home Affairs today:

"Due to COVID-19 and the global travel bans, no Bridging Visa B’s for travel are being granted. 

The applicant can depart on their current Bridging Visa A but would need to apply for a new visa to enter Australia if their intention is to return, bearing in mind the travel restrictions and quarantine requirements. 

With Coronavirus starting to spike in Victoria, and new cases picking up again in NSW, now is probably not a good time for CPD providers to begin scheduling face-to-face CPD events.  This is especially the case for all-day events like 10 point blitzes which have RMAs sitting in close quarters for ten hours or more.  Social distancing would be particularly difficult for a workshop of up to thirty agents.

It makes sense to us that no face-to-face CPD events are scheduled for the Registered Migration Agent profession over the next few months.   

The current state-by-state rules and restrictions are clearly explained here by the Guardian:

The Deputy President and Division Head of the AAT- MRD has requested we distribute this information:

I am writing to let you know that the AAT is taking steps to resume some in-person hearings from 3 August 2020, at all AAT registries except for Melbourne. 

The AAT has, to date, been able to minimise the impact on our services through the provision of online registry support and by hearing matters remotely. However, we are mindful that there are some circumstances in which a remote hearing may not be practicable and where the matter may not be deferred.