What is the Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa – New Zealand Stream?
The Subclass 189 New Zealand stream visa is for New Zealand citizens who have demonstrated commitment and contribution to Australia. By applying for this visa, it will allow eligible New Zealand citizens to: live in Australia indefinitely; work and study in Australia;...
New changes for Australian Partner Visa Applications
In the 2020 -21 Federal Budget, changes to Australia’s Partner visa program were announced to commence in November 2021. Application process Currently, sponsors and partner visa applicants may submit their applications at the same time. Under the arrangement announced...
Australian Immigration Law Update: Engineers Australia – Global Talent Independent Nominating Organisation
Engineers Australia (EA) has announced that the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has accepted it as a nominating organisation for the Global Talent Independent (GTI) Program. The following information has been received from EA: The GTI Program is a streamlined visa...
Australian Immigration Law Update: Travel Exemptions – Prospective Marriage Visas Subclass 300
Individual exemptions The Commissioner of the Australian Border Force (ABF) may grant you an individual exemption if you are: a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holder in the following circumstances: where the subclass 300 visa has been granted; and the...
Australian Immigration Law Update: Immigration COVID-19 update – Travel Waiver Update as at 6 August 2021
The Australian government has introduced legislation effective 11 August 2021 to remove automatic exemption for Australians to return to their overseas country of residence. Prior to this, having residence overseas was one of the automatic exemptions that would allow...
Australian Immigration Law Update – Significant Changes Announced to Partner Applications
Under a new sponsorship framework proposed to be introduced later this year there will be significant changes to the ways in which Partner Visa applications will be processed. All prospective applicants, especially those persons in Australia holding visas with short...
Australian Immigration Law Update – New Occupations added to the Priority Migration Skills Occupation List
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has implemented changes to the employer sponsored visa scheme and the sponsored parent visitor visa (Subclass 870 visa) in July. Minister Hawke added Pharmacist to the Priority Migration Skills Occupation List (PMSOL) to assist...
Travel Exemptions – What do I need to leave Australia? COVID-10 vaccinations
Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category are now able to access COVID-19 vaccinations. It is the Australian Government’s strong preference that Australians are vaccinated...
Australian Immigration Law Update – What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?
A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Federal Government and a regional, state or territory authority. It is also a form of Labour Agreement. Labour Agreements are work agreements, which enable approved employers to...
COVID Restrictions impacting US Visa applications
Since the COVID pandemic hit the Australian shores in 2019, we have seen a tremendous shift in locally assessed US Visa applications and renewals. State-wide lockdown announcements causing abrupt temporary US Consular closures for unknown periods of time, have thrown...
Australian Immigration Law Update – Skilled Visa Program – South Australia
Applications for South Australian state nomination will open at 8am, Tuesday 20 July 2021. The skilled migration program will focus on the following: Talent and Innovators Program Currently working in South Australia (including long-term residents in SA) International...
Australian Immigration Law Update – Sponsoring Employers – Travel Exemptions For Individuals With Critical Skills
Travel exemptions to enter Australia (subject to usual quarantine procedures) are available in the following circumstances: travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority for the purpose of assisting in the...
Australian Immigration Law Update – Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) – Increase To Lodgement Fees
On 26 June 2021, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) increased the fees for review of migration decision applications relating to visas other than protection visas. These increases also include review of sponsorship and nomination decisions. The new fee to lodge...
Immigration South Australia – Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) and General Skilled Migration (GSM) – UPDATES
Immigration South Australia (SA) has confirmed that State Nomination applications and Expressions of Interest (EOI) applications for the 2020/21 Program year will close at midnight on Monday 28 June 2021. Any applications that have commenced but not lodged will be...
New occupations added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
On 22 June 2021, Honourable Alex Hawke, Minister for Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs included a number of skilled occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). The addition of the new occupations to the list ensures...
Australia – UK Trade Deal – Working Holiday Visas and Agricultural Visas
Australia and the United Kingdom (UK) have a new ‘in principle’ Trade Agreement. The impact on Australian migration is that British citizens will be able to apply for working holiday visas up until the age of 35 years. It also allows for up to 3 years of working...
COVID vaccinations and essential overseas travel
Australian citizens and permanent residents under 50 years of age who have an approved outwards travel exemption in an eligible category are now able to access COVID-19 vaccinations. If you have a travel exemption granted for eligible reasons on or after 20 May 2021,...
Subclass 189 Visa (New Zealand Stream) – 3 in 5 years income threshold amendment
Further to our recent updates about the Subclass 189 permanent residence visa under the New Zealand stream, there have been amendments made to the Migration Regulations. The changes substitute 3 income years for the previous 4 years that an applicant for an NZ stream...
Travel Exemptions Outbound – Conditions
The following conditions apply in relation to outbound travel exemptions for Australian Citizens and Permanent Resident visa holders: a travel exemption is valid for one outwards movement only, unless it is a stipulated ‘multiple use’ exemption; travel exemptions...
New Zealand Safe Travel Zone
Quarantine free travel between Australia and New Zealand commenced on 18 April 2021. All travellers who have been in either Australia or New Zealand for 14 days can travel by air between Australia and New Zealand quarantine free, without the need to apply for a travel...
Regional Skilled Subclass 491 Visas and Future Australian Visa Application Restrictions
The Subclass 491 is popular for many applicant as it is the only way to obtain Australian State or Territory Sponsorship. It is important to note however that if you are granted a Subclass 491 visa it will limit future Australian visa applications. Unless you have...
Nevett Ford Melbourne Pty Ltd
ABN: 144 697 790
Level 16, South Tower, Rialto Building, 525 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000