The Australia Federal Budget for 2020-21 has been announced, and the following are the information related to the Department of Home Affairs and the migration program. CATEGORIES 2019-20 2020-21 Difference (#) Difference (%) Migration Program Planning Level 160,000 160,000 0 0 Family Stream 47,732 77,300 29,568 increase 61.9% increase Family Stream – Partner Visa 39,799 [...]

The Australian Government has recently released data relating to the number of approvals granted to travel exemption requests for both inward and outward travel (i.e. to and from Australia). Between the period of 20th March, 2020 and 20th August, 2020, there were 15,801 inwards and 36,426 outwards exemption requests approved. The pie chart below shows [...]

On 8th September, 2020, the State of Victoria has opened their visa nomination program for business and investor visas (subclass 188 and 132). The Victorian government has received a limited number of interim allocation of visa nomination places for these visas up until the Federal Budget on 6th October, 2020. There is no substantial changes [...]

On 9th September, 2020, the Australian government has updated their list of persons who do not require to apply for an exemption to travel to Australia. Those persons who belong to one of the categories below are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions and can enter Australia (without obtaining an individual exemption). The update includes [...]

On 2nd of September, 2020, the Australian government has released a new occupation list called Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). This list currently consists of 17 occupations listed below and is focused in the different sectors (namely health care, construction and IT sectors) to assist in the Australia’s economic response to COVID-19. Visa holders [...]

Invitations Issued on 11 August 2020 Visa Subclass Number Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 110 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored 90 Invitation Process and Cut Offs Visa Subclass Minimum Points Score Latest Date of Effect Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 90 Jul 2020 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) [...]

The 2020/21 Occupation Ceiling has been released recently. The chart above illustrates the differences in value between the current year (2020/21) and the previous year (2019/20). The biggest reduction in the ceiling is for the occupation group: Sports Coaches, Instructors and Officials where there is a reduction of 2,809 places as compared to previous year. [...]

On 19th August, 2020, the Department of Home Affairs has updated their visa processing times for the month ending July 2020. The below table shows a selected number of visas with processing times for 75% and 95% of visas being processed for the current month and the previous month. Please visit our web page here [...]

On 17th August, 2020, the Live in Melbourne website has reported that the there had been a limited number of interim allocation places for the State’s visa nomination. Please note this is “interim” allocation only as the official full nomination allocation for 2020/21 is expected to be released later this year (as part of the [...]

Invitations Issued on 14 July 2020 Visa Subclass Number Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 500 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored 100 Invitation Process and Cut Offs Visa Subclass Minimum Points Score Latest Date of Effect Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) 90 Jul 2020 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) [...]