Migration Centre of Australia

Registered Migration Agents Australia

  • October 21, 2020

Update on COVID-19 Pandemic Event Visa

COVID-19 Pandemic event (Subclass 408) visa allows a person to stay and continue working in critical sectors in Australia when he/she cannot leave Australia due to travel restrictions in response to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) and has no other visa option to maintain his/her lawful status in Australia until he/she is able to return to his/her home country. The Department started accepting Covid-19 Pandemic visa applications since 04 April 2020. According to information released by the Department of Home Affairs, the number of applications lodged and visas granted for this stream of 408 visa, during the period from April 2020 to July 2020, is as follows:   Month Applications Lodged Visas Granted April 2020 2,722 – May 2020 4,084 728 June 2020 3,025 1,509 July 2020 2,405 1,475 Total 12,236 3,712   The average processing times for 75% of applications was 27 and 44 calendar days for the months of May 2020 and June 2020, respectively. In April 2020, the Australian Government had added COVID-19 Pandemic as a new event for the Government Endorsed Event stream under the standard Temporary Activity Visa (Subclass 408) program vide the Migration (LIN 20/122: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020. It is important to know that work rights are limited to working in critical sectors only, including agriculture, health care, aged care, disability care and child care. If you facing issue of visa expiry or need advice on a migration matter, Discuss Your Situation with us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents who can help you.
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  • September 30, 2020

Australian Government Endorsed Covid 19 Event- 408 Temporary Activity visa

With the advent of the global pandemic Covid-19, we have a special legislation in power that classifies it as an emergency event. Now, it falls under the Government Endorsed Event visa stream where you won’t need a sponsorship to apply. This visa enables you to remain in Australia if you have no other option and are unable to depart Australia due to Covid-19 travel restrictions. The new legislation supports people working in critical work sectors such as disability, healthcare, aged care, agriculture, etc. The people working in these industries under closed deadlines of visa expiry have 408 Visa to their rescue. A medical professional making employment arrangements in the healthcare sector can also apply for this visa. In order to apply for the visa, one must: Apply online Be on the Australian soil Have a current visa that expires in 28 days or less or your last substantive temporary visa expired less than 28 days ago Either have evidence from your employer that you have ongoing work in a critical sector and that an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the position, or demonstrate you can’t meet the requirements of any other visa Be able to support yourself and dependents Meet the health requirements and maintain adequate health insurance during your stay in Australia. Meet the character requirements Be a genuine temporary entrant on a Have paid back debt to Australian Government Have not had a visa cancellation or visa refusal Sign the Australian values statement This visa shall allow you to stay in Australia for up to 12 months and is free of cost. Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you are someone falling into the same category, or if you want to know more about 408 Visa, you can book a visa consultation with us by contacting us on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of our registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
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  • September 14, 2020

Temporary Visa Holders Eligible to Travel to Australia During COVID-19

Australian Government has announced the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) to fill critical skills needs in support of businesses during COVID-19. The PMSOL gives priority to certain occupations for Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa (Subclass 186) and other work visa applications, including Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (Subclass 494) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa (Subclass 187). The list is temporary and priority occupations may change as based on support that Australian business need to fill critical skills, as Australia economy recovers from recovers from the effects of the pandemic. The list identifies 17 occupations required to fill critical skills in Australia and allows temporary visa holders, who are otherwise ineligible to travel to Australia amid Covid-19 restrictions, to travel if their occupation is on the list. This is a relief for certain temporary visa holders who are stranded outside the country and are waiting for an opportunity to come back. However, the temporary visa holders, like Australian citizens and permanent residents, are subject to obtaining a travel exemption from the Commissioner of Australian Border Force (ABF) prior to their travel to Australia. The 17 priority occupations are as follows: Chief Executive or Managing Director (ANZSCO – 111111) Construction Project Manager (ANZSCO – 133111) Developer Programmer (ANZSCO – 261312) General Practitioner (ANZSCO – 253111) Maintenance Planner (ANZSCO – 312911) Mechanical Engineer (ANZSCO – 233512) Medical Practitioner nec (ANZSCO – 253999) Midwife (ANZSCO – 254111) Psychiatrist (ANZSCO – 253411) Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (ANZSCO – 254412) Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (ANZSCO – 254415) Registered Nurse (Medical) (ANZSCO – 254418) Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (ANZSCO – 254422) Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423) Registered Nurses nec (ANZSCO – 254499) Resident Medical Officer (ANZSCO – 253112) Software Engineer (ANZSCO – 261313) In this regard, the Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, said, “Our priority is getting Australians back into work but we also need key health workers to help fight the virus and skilled migrants who are going to be job multipliers, to help the economy recover…Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.” If you have any questions or are seeking travel exemption for your travel, Contact Us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents in Sydney who can help you.
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  • August 17, 2020

Update on Australian Citizenship Insights

During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Australian Government has conferred citizenship to more than 60,000 people through online ceremonies, while some in-person ceremonies have also resumed since 03 June 2020. As a result, in the financial year 2019-2020, a record number of 204,817 people were conferred Australian citizenship, an increase of over 60 per cent from the previous financial year, where 127,674 people were conferred Australian citizenship. The Hon Alan Tudge MP, the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has recently stated that, “When someone becomes a citizen, they make a pledge to uphold Australia’s rights, liberties, laws and democratic values. It represents a willingness to integrate into our successful multicultural nation…Being an Australian citizen is an immense privilege, which brings both rights and responsibilities. I congratulate all those who have taken this important step.” The table below shows the former nationality and the number of people who were conferred Australian citizenship in 2019-20 (01 July 2019 to 30 June 2020).   NATIONALITY NO. OF PEOPLE India 38,209 United Kingdom 25,011 China (mainland China only) 14,764 Philippines 12,838 Pakistan 8,821 Vietnam 6,804 Sri Lanka 6,195 South Africa 5,438 New Zealand 5,367 Afghanistan 5,102 Other 76,268 Total ​204,817   *Source: Department of Home Affairs The Department has also resumed conducting citizenship interviews and testing in Perth and Sydney regions, and are expecting to resume these services in more locations at the earliest. If you have any questions or are seeking advice on this issue, Discuss Your Situation with us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents who can help you.
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  • July 30, 2020

Suspension of General Skilled Migration Applications in Australia

According to SBS News Australia, States and territories across the country have temporarily suspended the nomination program for the General Skilled Migration Program (GSM) while they await the federal government’s allocation of state nomination places for the program year 2020-21. The General Skilled Migration Program (GSM) is aimed at overseas skilled workers who have the skills needed to fulfill occupations in Australia that is otherwise not fillable by an Australian citizen. Each year, every state receive quotas from the government, based on which states and territories nominate skilled and business migrants for Skilled Nom­inated Subclass 190 and the Skilled Regional Sponsored Subclass 491 visa categories. SBS News Australia reports that this year the Department of Home Affairs has advised the states and territories to put their programs on hold until further notice. The Department further stated that the ongoing impacts of the pandemic worldwide, both medically, socially and economically, will have a “significant influence on the shape of Australia’s Migration Program going forward”. Victoria: State nomination program remains temporarily closed. But applicants can still lodge an EOI through the Department of Home Affairs SkillSelect system. New South Wales: NSW is currently closed to applications for nomination under the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491). The state will open to new nominations once they receive their quota for the current financial year. South Australia: The state’s business and skilled migration programs are scheduled to re-open from early August. Queensland: Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) has also announced that its state nomination program will remain closed until further notice. The state has declared that it will not be accepting any EOIs. The state is now awaiting advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to its nomination allocation for the financial year 2020-21. Tasmania: Applications remain open and will continue to be considered, but no nominations can be made until the state receives its allocation for the program year. Northern Territory: NT Government has also declared that it is currently unable to issue nominations under the skilled and business migration programs. Western Australia & the Australian Capital Territory: No update is available for Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory. What is important to take away from this change is to know that skilled migration is integral to Australia’s migration program and economic growth, so rest assured that it will not be suspended forever! Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you want to know more about general skilled migration, the skilled nominated subclass 190, skilled regional sponsored subclass 491, or working in Australia in general, contact us today on (02) 4626 1002 or send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and one of my registered migration agents will be ready to help you.
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  • July 20, 2020

Meeting the Character Requirements for Visas

Most of the Australian visas have an eligibility criteria that the applicant must meet the character requirements. If you do not meet these requirements, the Department may refuse your application or subsequently cancel your visa if you do not remain of good character. Section 501(6) of the Migration Act 1958 (Cth) outlines the character requirements. Accordingly, the Department may refuse to grant your visa if you do not pass the character test, determined by the following: Having a substantial criminal record Having been convicted of escaping from immigration detention, or convicted for an offense that you committed in that regard Being or having been a member of a group or organization, or been associated with such groups that are reasonably suspects of being involved in criminal conduct Having been involved in people smuggling, people trafficking, genocide, a war crime, a crime against humanity, a crime involving torture or slavery, or a crime of serious international concern, where reasonable suspected Having criminal or general conduct showing that you are not of good character There is a risk that you would: engage in criminal conduct harass, molest, intimidate or stalk another person vilify a segment of the Australian community incite discord in the Australian community be a danger to the Australian community, While you are in Australia Having been convicted, found guilty or had a charge proven for, one or more sexually based offenses involving a child Being subject to adverse security assessment by the Australian Security Intelligence Organization Being subject to an Interpol notice, where it is reasonable suspected that you are a risk to the Australian community Being or having been convicted of a domestic violence offense. While lodging your visa application, you must answer all the questions correctly and declare all your criminal conduct, if any. The Department considers all circumstances of a case to decide whether the visa is to be granted, even if you do not meet the character requirements, including: Protection of the Australian community Best interests of children Australia’s International legal commitments Impact of visa refusal or visa cancellation on your family Impact on Australian businesses and the Australian community If you do not declare your criminal history completely and correctly, the Department may refuse your visa application. The graph below shows number of visa refusals and visa cancellations by the Department from 2012 to 2019.   *Source: Department of Home Affairs In certain cases, you may appeal the decision of visa cancellation or refusal to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) for failing to meet character requirements. If you are facing any such difficulty or need migration assistance, Contact Us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents in Sydney to discuss your situation.
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Overseas Migration May See a Record Drop of 85%

Just recently, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison estimated a 30% drop according to the 2018-2019 figures in the current financial year. However, as a result of the current pandemic, the Prime Minister forecasts this to drop even further to 85% which is expected for the 2020-2021 financial year. These percentages and figures are crucial for the Australian economy and these significant drops could lead to the impact of the coronavirus and its potential to continue into 2021. “That is a significant change,” Mr Morrison said. However, he goes on to say, “It is not expected to be a long term change in terms of net overseas migration.” These numbers are overly important to the economic growth and development of Australia in the future. Currently, the Prime Minister and his ministry are discussing these pressing issues, but it is also vitally important to recognize the work and contribution of our migrant and overseas visa holders who live and work in Australia, contributing to our Australian economy. Did you know that in 2019, Australia’s population grew by 239,600 just from net overseas migration, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data? This net overseas migration number measures how many people enter Australia and how many stay for more than 12 months compared to how many people leave the country for the same period. Moreover, Australia’s international education market brings approximately $39 billion per year into the economy, making it our fourth-largest industry. Associate Professor Boucher said migration was a key economic driver for a number of reasons. “Those migrants work, they pay tax, most of them are not a drain on the welfare or health system. They are net contributors, not net takers, unlike Australians,” she said “Because temporary migration comprises the vast bulk of migration into Australia … closing all that migration off is going to have a massive effect.” What does Migration Centre of Australia think? Right now, Australia already has a vast wealth of former international students who have Expression of Interest’s (EOI) already on the system. There are also more than 100,000 temporary visa holders who work, live and contribute to the Australian economy. We hope the Government will do more to help our valuable temporary visa holders and migrants during this crisis. Our Registered Migration Agents at Migration Centre of Australia have been in the migration industry for many years and have helped thousands of clients onshore and offshore. We are trained professionals in Australian Migration Law and we are trusted providers in the industry for our services. If you wish to apply for any type of visa during this time, or you want to know more about your visa options, or you simply require professional migration advice regarding your visa status, don’t let this pandemic delay you any longer. Contact us today on (02) 4626 1002. Alternatively, you can send us an email at info@migrationcentreofaustralia.com.au and we will be ready to assist you.
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Migration Centre of Australia (MCA) Your trusted partner for Australian immigration. We simplify visas, skilled migration, sponsorships, and more—so you can focus on your future.

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