Changes to the Character requirements for long-term residents of Australia
A new Ministerial Direction will commence on 3 March 2023. This Direction revokes the previous Direction in relation to visa refusal and cancellation under section 501 of the Migration Act.
48hr Work Week For Student Visa Holders
The Government has announced that from 1 July, work restrictions for student visa holders will be re-introduced and student visa holders will be permitted to work for a maximum of 48 hours per fortnight.
Extended Work Rights for University Graduates
Post-study work rights for some international students will be significantly extended to assist in addressing national skills shortages. The occupations that are being targeted are in the health, teaching, engineering, ICT and agricultural fields
New pathway to Permanent Residence – 482 visa holders on the Regional Occupation List
The Department of Home Affairs has recently confirmed that subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa holders whose nominated occupation is listed on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) and who worked in Australia during the pandemic are now eligible to access the subclass 186 Permanent Resident visa in the TRT stream under the recent Covid-concession arrangements.
Provisional or Limited registration can now be accepted for all Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) regulated occupations.
The Department of Home Affairs has advised that since 22 December 2022, subclass 186 visa applicants no longer need evidence of full AHPRA registration.