Important High Court decision relating to removal of detainees from Australia
A recent High Court decision critical of persons claiming to be refugees who attempt to manipulate the system for their own ends may be an initial signal to a change in attitude to the way in which our legal system will deal with migration cases in the future. ...
Reform to the Points Test System
In her media release issued 23 April 2024, Minister for Home Affairs the Honourable Clare O'Neil declared that there are strong intentions for the Australian Government to reform the current Points Test system. The hinted-at revisions have stirred much anticipation...
Updates on VETASSESS Trade Skills Assessments
VETASSESS has issued some important updates for several trade occupations, which are set to take place from 23 April 2024. The following changes will be implemented for trade applications from 23 April 2024: Accepting new applications for the following occupations...
Recent updates for student visa requirements
Genuine Student The Australian government has recently enforced tougher requirements for international students applying for a student visa to enrol at Australian universities and colleges. From 23 March, the Genuine Temporary Entrant criteria for the visa was...
Ensuring Compliance with Migration Law Amendments for Work Sponsored Visa Holders
Employers sponsoring visa holders must be aware of impending changes to the Migration Act, set to take effect later this year. These amendments, prompted by recommendations from a Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee report released on...
Proposed Migration Law Changes Deemed A Backward Step to Multiculturalism
The Australian Financial Review recently released an article, written by Gus McCubbling and Samantha Hutchinson, interviewing one of Nevett Ford’s senior migration lawyers, Heather Dzviti, about her views on the migration law changes proposed by the Labor government....
Impact of the draft Consolidated Skills Occupation List (CSOL) on work visa
On 26 March 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia released the draft Consolidated Skilled Occupation Released (CSOL). This list will be used as part of the work visa reforms that were flagged in Australia’s Migration Strategy. Background Australia’s Migration...
Higher English test scores required for Australian Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas
Higher English language test scores applicable to apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa have been introduced by the Australian Government. The changes also reduce the period in which the scores must have been achieved from three years to one year before...
NEW Australian Subclass 192 Pacific Engagement (permanent residence) visa
A new Australian permanent residence Subclass 192 (Pacific Engagement) visa (the Pacific Engagement visa) is available from 29 March 2024. The Pacific Engagement visa will provide access to permanent residence in Australia for citizens of a number of Pacific island...
Strengthening of Australia’s employer sanctions regime to protect foreign workers
From 1 July 2024 a number of new sanctions will come into force to further protect foreign workers from exploitation in Australia’s labour market. These amendments will come into force as part of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024...
More changes to the Working Holiday Visa
As part of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA), individuals holding a passport from the United Kingdom (‘UK’) have access to a more stable working arrangement in Australia through the Working Holiday Visa (‘WHV’) program. From 1...
Unlocking opportunities: introducing Australia’s MATES Visa Scheme for Indian Professionals
Australia and India have forged a new path of collaboration through a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement in the form of the recently announced Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early – professionals Scheme (MATES). This groundbreaking initiative aims to...
VETASSESS Updates – Plumber (General) Pathway 1 skills assessments resume
VETASSESS resumed taking new Pathway 1 skills assessment applications for the occupation of Plumber (General), ANZSCO code 334111, on Monday, February 12. Last September 2023, VETASSESS paused acceptance of new Pathway 1 applications for Plumber (General) because...
Subclass 491 visa (Pathway 1) for New South Wales is OPEN
The New South Wales Government in Australia has opened its Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 program under Pathway 1: applying directly to Investment NSW if the applicant has an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer. The stated aim of this...
The Benefits of Partner Visa Lawyers For Your Partner Visa Application
Migrating is not easy, especially if it involves a spouse and/or partner. In Australia, non-Australian partners require a partner visa to live in the country. There are various types of partner visa available, but all require meticulous planning and preparation to...
Migration Strategy to Strengthen Regional Workforce and Tackle Challenges
In a significant shift, the Federal government has finally acknowledged the pivotal role played by regional based employers in the country’s growth. Recognising the vital contribution of the regional sector and the potential of migration to revitalise communities, the...
Australia’s Migration Strategy – What does it mean for you?
In December 2023, the Australian Government released a series of significant planned reforms in Australia’s migration system in order to meet the future needs of the country. These are coined as the ‘Migration Strategy’. The Migration strategy is based around skilled...
New Labour Market Testing Requirements
Labour market testing, or what is more commonly known as LMT, refers to the process in which employers are required to demonstrate that no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is available and suitable to fill a particular position within their business...
Australian Immigration Law Changes: Offshore Online Study No Longer Counts for Australian Study Requirement for Subclass 485 Visa
From 25 November 2023, there has been a significant Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) policy change for subclass 485 visa applications. The DHA has announced the end of the COVID-19 concession period and posted a revised policy on its website. Notably,...
End of work rights looms for Working Holiday and Work and Holiday Visa Holders
By 31 December 2023 all Working Holiday visa holders (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa holders (subclass 462) who have been working for their existing employer for 6 months must move jobs. We recommend visa holders and employer start making plans for this...
Department of Home Affairs expand access to Permanent Residency for Overseas Workers
A number of positive changes are finally here for overseas workers in Australia. From 25 November 2023, TSS subclass 482 and 457 visa holders now have access to permanent residency via the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) visa regardless of their visa...
Nevett Ford Melbourne Pty Ltd
ABN: 80 144 697 790
Level 16, South Tower, Rialto Building, 525 Collins Street
Melbourne, VIC 3000