PAX Migration Australia in Adelaide, South Australia | Passport and visa service

PAX Migration Australia

Locality: Adelaide, South Australia

Phone: +61 8 7129 8191

Address: Level 30, 91 King William St 5000 Adelaide, SA, Australia

Website: https://www.paxmigration.com.au

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25.01.2022 The latest COVID-19 outbreak in New South Wales has led to interstate border closures across Australia. Individual states and territories have each announced different rules, often coming into effect with short notice. If you are affected, it is important to keep up to date on these announcements as they come through, so that you can adjust your travel plans accordingly. ... You can read more on the latest announcements here: http://ow.ly/Kr7s50CQB0s

25.01.2022 The Government has announced that the Australian Citizenship Test will be updated to include a new section on Australian values. The new questions will cover freedom of speech, mutual respect, equality of opportunity, the importance of democracy and the rule of law. The updated test will comprise of 20 multiple-choice questions, five of which will be on Australian values, and which must all be answered correctly to pass the test. ... Additionally, an overall test score of at least 75% is required to pass the test. These changes to the Australian Citizenship Test come into effect from 15 November 2020. Citizenship testing has re-commenced across Australia, except for Victoria. There were a record 204,000 people who became Australian citizens last year. Citizenship ceremonies have continued online through the COVID-19 pandemic, with more than 85,000 people from across the country becoming Australian citizens since 31 March 2020 Commencing from 30 October 2020, most new visa and citizenship applicants will also now be required to affirm the updated Australian Values Statement (AVS). This is designed to better reflect the shared values of Australian society, including the rule of law, freedom of religion, freedom of speech, freedom of association and equality of opportunity for all people in Australia. You can read more about this announcement in the media release by the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, which you can access here: http://ow.ly/V9ro50BueWR

25.01.2022 The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has issued a notice to holders of the following Skilled and Business Visas: - Subclass 189 Skilled Independent - Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated - Subclass 489 Skilled Regional... - Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional - Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) - Subclass 888 Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) - Subclass 132 Business Talent - Business Skills (Subclasses 890, 891, 892, and 893) - Subclass 124 Distinguished Talent The notice addresses visa condition 8504, which applies to visa holders whose visas were granted whilst they were outside Australia. Under this condition: the holder must enter Australia as the holder of the visa to which the condition applies before a date specified by the Minister. This condition requires visa holders to make their first entry to Australia before the For first entry, arrive by date, as specified in the Grant Notification letter. Failing to comply with a visa condition can result in cancellation of the visa. Given the current circumstances arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, there may be circumstances where visa holders are unable to enter Australia at this time, due to global travel restrictions, for example. The Department has advised that it will not be seeking to cancel a Skilled Migration or Business visa where the only reason for doing so would be due to a breach of Condition 8504. If a Skilled or Business Visa holder is not able to make their first entry to Australia before the For first entry, arrive by date, the issued notice can be used when travelling to Australia during the visa validity period. The visa validity period is unable to be extended. Once it has ceased, the issued notice cannot be used to enter Australia.

23.01.2022 If you are travelling to Australia, you will need to complete the Australia Travel Declaration at least 72 hours before your departure. This requirement applies to all travellers who are seeking to enter the country, including: - Australian citizens and permanent residents; - persons who are automatically exempt from the travel restrictions; and... - persons who have been granted an individual exemption to the travel restrictions. You will need to provide your passport and contact details, trip information and destination details. The information provided in the Declaration will be used to determine if you are subject to quarantine requirements. It also collects your contact details in the event that someone on your flight tests positive to COVID-19. The declaration is valid for a single flight or journey only. Once the Declaration is completed, you will receive an email confirmation. This must be presented before boarding your flight, and upon your arrival in Australia. Failing to complete the Declaration may prevent you from boarding your flight, or you may experience delays upon arrival. For more information about the Declaration, and to complete the online application, you can access the link on the Department of Home Affairs website here: http://ow.ly/FC3u50CRN9A

22.01.2022 The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has released the Migration Program Planning Levels for 2020-21. Key points are: Skilled visas constitute the majority of places available, accounting for 79,600 places out of the 160,000 overall programme intake; ... Partner visas make up most of the Family stream, with 72,300 places allocated this year, out of a total of 77,300; The Child visa category has a minimum number of 3,000 places available (this is not subject to a ceiling). You can access the Migration Program Planning Levels data for 2020-21 on the Department’s website here: http://ow.ly/zyxZ50BPGH8

22.01.2022 The Government has released the results for the 2019-20 Migration Program. Key highlights include: - A total of 140,366 permanent visas were granted, 70% of which were skilled visas; - 23,372 regional visas were granted, from a maximum allocation of 25,000 for the year;... - 41,961 visas were granted in the Family program, of which 37,118 were Partner visas; - Two-thirds of permanent visas were granted to individuals who had transitioned from a temporary visa and were already in Australia; and - Total lodgements decreased by 12.3% compared with the previous year, mainly in the Family and Skilled (Independent) visa categories. The total number of permanent visas granted was 140,366, which is under the planning level of 160,000 for the year. COVID-19 had a significant impact on the 201920 Migration Program outcome as a result of the disruption to supporting services, including English Language testing, biometrics and health and character checks. Visa categories that have been most heavily impacted by these disruptions are the Family and Business Innovation and Investment streams. The size and composition of the 2020-21 Migration Program will be announced as part of the Federal Budget, to be delivered in October 2020. You can read more about this announcement in the media release by the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, here: http://ow.ly/aeh750BtcyN

15.01.2022 The Federal Budget for 2020-21 has been delivered. Migration announcements include: Net overseas migration is expected to decrease from 154,000 in 2019-20 to a net loss of 71,200 in 2020-21, and rise gradually to approximately 201,000 in 2023-24 The migration planning level will remain at the current 160,000 places... The composition of the program will change, with a greater focus on the Global Talent Independent and Business Innovation and Investment programs, with 15,000 & 13,500 places allocated to these programs respectively A greater emphasis will also be placed on the Family stream, with a total of 77,300 places allocated this year, of which 72,300 will be in the Partner visa category. The majority of visas granted in the Family stream will be to those already in Australia. For new permanent residents who are offshore, Skilled visas are expected to make up two thirds, with the remaining one third to come from the Family stream Applications by onshore visa and Partner visa applicants where the sponsor resides in a designated regional area will be prioritised English language requirements will be introduced for Partner visa applicants and their sponsor. Character checks & sharing of personal information with the applicant, and enforceable sponsorship obligations will also apply Visa Application Charge (VAC) refunds, waivers or visa extensions will be available to visa holders who are unable to travel to Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions A VAC waiver will be applied to a subsequent visa application for temporary Skilled workers, Visitor and Working Holiday Maker visa holders to return to Australia once travel restrictions are lifted You can access the joint media release by Minister Tudge and Minister Dutton here: http://ow.ly/x6A650BLCpc The 2020-21 Budget Papers can be accessed here: https://budget.gov.au/

15.01.2022 In an update to a previous announcement on changes to Labour Market Testing (LMT) criteria, the release of a new compilation of Legislative Instrument 18/036 has confirmed that LMT criteria for nominations lodged on or after 1 October 2020 will require advertising for 4 weeks on Jobactive and by one other method (therefore, a minimum of two LMT advertisements for the nominated position). Specifically, the nominated position must be advertised: on the Employment Department’s... Jobactive website (http://www.jobactive.gov.au); and on or in one or more of the following: - a recruitment website with national reach in Australia (other than the jobactive website); - print media with national reach in Australia; - radio with national reach in Australia; - if the approved sponsor is an accredited sponsor, the approved sponsor’s website. These changes apply to the Subclass 457 Temporary Work, Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage and Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas. Additionally, to demonstrate that there is a 'genuine need' for an overseas worker to fill a nominated position for a permanent Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa, there is also an expectation that the position will be advertised on Jobactive.

13.01.2022 The Federal Government has extended the ban on outbound international travel until 17 March 2021. This means that Australian citizens and permanent residents need to apply for an exemption to the Australian Border Force (ABF) to leave the country. The travel ban was originally introduced on 18 March 2020. ... It has been extended based on the advice of the Acting Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly, and The Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC), due to the significant public health risk posed by COVID-19 internationally. To qualify for an exemption, you must meet one of the following requirements: - your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid; - your travel is for your business or employer; - you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia; - you are travelling outside Australia for three months or longer; - you are travelling on compassionate or humanitarian grounds; or - your travel is in the national interest. You can read more about this here: https://www.sbs.com.au//international-travel-ban-extended- You can find more information on the requirements and evidence required when applying for a travel exemption here: http://ow.ly/Cn5D50CMFR0 To apply for a travel exemption, the online application can be accessed here: http://ow.ly/y2YQ50CMFQZ

10.01.2022 The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has recently updated the travel restriction exemption categories. The following persons are now automatically exempt from travel restrictions and can enter Australia without obtaining an individual exemption: - an Australian citizen or permanent resident - an immediate family member of an Australian citizen or permanent resident... - a New Zealand citizen usually resident in Australia and their immediate family members - a diplomat accredited to Australia (who holds a Subclass 995 Diplomatic (Temporary) visa) - a traveller transiting Australia for 72 hours or less - airline crew - maritime crew including marine pilots - recruited under the Government approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme - holder of a Subclass 188 Business Innovation and Investment visa. Individual exemption categories, which require an application for exemption from the travel restrictions to be made, have also been updated. The following documents, which provide further information on how travel exemptions are assessed, are now available: - Commissioner's Guidelines - Commissioner's Inward Decision Making - Inwards Travel Restrictions Operation Directive - Outwards Travel Restrictions Operation Directive To access these documents, and for more information about the current travel restrictions and exemptions, please see the Department’s website: http://ow.ly/DnnL50BzFUr

09.01.2022 As part of this week’s Budget, the Government announced that it will be introducing a new requirement for partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsors to have functional English, or to demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to learn English. One way this can be demonstrated is by completing 500 hours of free English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP). The Government has previously announced the removal of limitati...ons on migrants‘ access to free English language classes under this program, allowing access to as many hours as needed to achieve vocational English. Exemptions will be available to those holding a USA, Canada, UK, NZ or Irish passport and to those who can demonstrate education in English. The changes will also not apply to relationships defined as ‘long-term,’ which means at the time of lodgement of the first stage application, the applicant and their Australian partner have been in a married or de facto relationship for at least 3 years (or 2 years if there is a dependent child). In both cases, the permanent visa is granted immediately. These changes will be implemented from late 2021 and will apply at the time of grant of the permanent visa (i.e. the second stage, usually after two years of being able to live in Australia on a temporary partner visa). At this stage, indications are that it will be a very basic English test, and at a much lower standard than that required to qualify for a skilled visa. Additionally, as this requirement will only apply at the second stage of application processing, it will not delay stage one processing and thereby not affect the ability of couples being united. You can read more about this announcement in the media release by the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, which you can access here: http://ow.ly/FoRm50BMKTh

07.01.2022 The Migration Regulations have been amended to extend the period during which Prospective Marriage Visa holders are permitted to travel to, enter and remain in Australia. This change has been made to address the impact of COVID-19 travel restrictions. In ordinary circumstances, holders of the Subclass 300 Prospective Marriage Visa can travel to, enter and remain in Australia for 9 months from the date of visa grant.... Under these changes, the visa holder is permitted to travel to, enter and remain in Australia until 31 March 2022 if: - the visa was in effect at any time during the period from 6 October 2020 to 10 December 2020; and - the holder was outside Australia on 10 December 2020. To read more about this, you can access Migration Amendment (Prospective Marriage Visas) Regulations 2020 - F2020L01577 and the Explanatory Statement here: http://ow.ly/34qA50CNNCs

07.01.2022 A new Migration Instrument has been introduced to specify the minimum amount of taxable income for an income year that an applicant for a Subclass 189 (SkilledIndependent) visa in the New Zealand stream must meet to satisfy the primary criteria for that visa. As part of visa grant requirements, the applicant must provide copies of Tax Assessment notices (for their income tax liability) in relation to the four most recently completed income years before the date of the applic...ation (during the period of five years immediately before that date). For each of those four income years, the applicant’s taxable income must be at least the minimum amount as specified for that year. The new Instrument specifies $53,900 as the minimum taxable income amount for the income year 2019-2020. This minimum amount remains unchanged from the year ended 2014 onwards. The Instrument also specifies that an applicant who is a party to a parenting plan agreed to by the parents, which assigns primary care of a child to the applicant, is exempt from the minimum amount of taxable income requirement. The parenting order may be made by any Australian court. To read more about this, you can access Migration (Income Threshold and Exemptions for Subclass 189 Visa (New Zealand Stream)) Instrument (LIN 20/170) 2020 and the Explanatory Statement here: http://ow.ly/bB7850CNPtg

05.01.2022 As part of its efforts to ensure that Australia remains an attractive destination for tourists and temporary visa holders who often fill critical skills shortages, the Government has announced the following changes to visa application charges, waivers and refunds for those affected by COVID-19: Visitor visa holders who are offshore and whose visas have expired, or will expire between Mar 2020 and Dec 2021, will be eligible for a waiver when they apply for a new visa; Working ...Holiday Maker (WHM) visa holders who have been unable to enter Australia, or who have had to depart before their visa period has expired, will be eligible for a waiver when they decide to return to Australia. Those who cannot return due to exceeding the age limit will be eligible for a refund; Visa holders in the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme who have been unable to travel to Australia will be eligible for a refund of the Visa Application Charge (VAC) if their visa was granted before 20 March 2020; The VAC will be waived for temporary employer sponsored skilled visa holders who have been unable to make their initial entry to Australia, or who have departed and seek to apply again; Prospective Marriage visa holders who have been unable to enter Australia within the 9-month visa period will be eligible to claim a refund for the VAC. This will enable affected visa holders to apply for another visa to travel to Australia to marry once travel is permitted. Applications will be prioritised for visas which have expired. A visa extension will also be available for Prospective Marriage visa holders whose visas remain valid. You can read more about this announcement in the media release by the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, which you can access here: http://ow.ly/gZH250BPHmk

04.01.2022 The Australian Values Statement for specified visa subclasses has been updated to better reflect the values that are important to Australian society. This includes compliance with Australian laws for all visas specified. For specified permanent visas, there is an undertaking to make reasonable efforts to learn English, if it is not the applicant’s native language, as well as a provision in relation to Australian citizenship, pledging loyalty to Australia and its people. The ...new Values Statement expands on provisions relating to freedom of religion, commitment to the rule of law, parliamentary democracy, a ‘fair go’ for all and equality of opportunity. It commences on 30 October 2020. To see the new Values Statement and the specified visa subclasses to which it applies, you can access Migration (LIN 20/166: Australian Values Statement for Public Interest Criterion 4019) Instrument 2020 and the Explanatory Statement here: http://ow.ly/gCK650BX29d

04.01.2022 The Government has announced that commencing from Friday 16 October 2020, New South Wales and Northern Territory borders will re-open to New Zealand residents and travellers who have not been in a designed COVID-19 hotspot in the previous 14 days. Quarantine arrangements will not apply. At this stage, no plans have yet been announced for travel to commence from Australia to New Zealand. ... You can read more about this announcement here: http://ow.ly/kWmW50BHk9t

04.01.2022 In an update to an earlier announcement regarding the new Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements, the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) has confirmed that the latest drafting of the compilation of Legislative Instrument 18/036 was incorrect. It has now confirmed that nominations for Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage and Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas lodged from 1 October 2020 must be advertised on the Employment Departmen...t’s Jobactive website (http://www.jobactive.gov.au), in addition to 2 other advertisements with national reach in Australia (a recruitment website, print media or radio). Additionally, as previously noted, to demonstrate that there is a 'genuine need' for an overseas worker to fill a nominated position for a permanent Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa, there is also an expectation that the position will be advertised on Jobactive. The correct updated version of the compilation document will be released shortly.

01.01.2022 Regulations have been released to assist certain temporary & provisional visa holders, including individuals who are on a pathway to permanent residence, who have been disadvantaged by the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, including border closures, restrictions imposed on businesses & the general economic downturn. These concessions commence on 1 Feb 2020 & will end on a date that is yet to be announced by the Government. The changes include:... - Applications can be made (and granted) for the Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa offshore, which also removes the requirement to have held a Student Visa within the 6 months immediately before making the application. There has also been an extension to the period to meet the Australian Study Requirement from 6 to 12 months for applicants prevented from returning to Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, during all or part of the period commencing on 1 Feb 2020 & ending on 19 Sep 2020. - Eligible primary and secondary provisional visa holders (Subclass 489, 475, 487, 495 and 496) & those whose visas expired during the concession period can apply for & be granted a Subclass 887 (Skilled Regional) visa offshore during the concession period; - Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment) visa applications can be made by primary and secondary former Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment) visa holders whose visas ceased during the concession period when travel was restricted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, if the application is made no more than 3 months after the end of the concession period; Current & former Subclass 790 (Safe Haven Enterprise) visa holders can count periods during the concession period towards the 42-month requirement in prescribed circumstances. You can read more about these changes to the Regulations here: http://ow.ly/2a5550BxrwB Contact us at PAX Migration Australia to see if you are eligible: https://paxmigration.com.au/contact/