The Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024, enacted today, February 22, 2024, modifies the Migration Act 1958 to bolster mechanisms for ensuring employer adherence. This legislation introduces several key features: New Employer Sanctions: Implements actions against employers who coerce or improperly influence both lawful and unlawful non-citizens into accepting employment arrangements that violate visa...

The Legislation (Deferral of Sunsetting—Migration Regulations 1994 (Specification of a Class of Persons)) Amendment Certificate 2024 is a legislative instrument that extends the effective period of certain migration regulations. Issued under the Legislation Act 2003, this amendment delays the expiration of specific rules concerning the classification of persons for migration purposes. Originally scheduled to sunset,...

In an important regulatory update for 2024, the Australian Government issued the Legislation (Deferral of Sunsetting—Migration Agents Instruments) Certificate under the auspices of the Legislation Act 2003. This move is pivotal in maintaining the regulatory oversight of migration agents by extending critical legislation beyond its original expiration. Understanding Sunsetting Sunsetting serves as a legislative cleaning...

The Migration (Designated Migration Law—Visa Condition 8208) Determination (LIN 24/009) 2024 is a legal instrument established under the Migration Act 1958, specifically paragraph 495A(3)(b). It is set to take effect on either 1 April 2024 or the day following its registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, whichever comes later. This document is recognised as...

Summary of the Migration (Critical Technology—Types of Technology) Specification (LIN 24/010) 2024 Title of the Document The document is titled the Migration (Critical Technology—Types of Technology) Specification (LIN 24/010) 2024, hereafter referred to as “the Specification.” Effective Date The Specification becomes effective on the later of two dates: April 1, 2024, or the day following...

The Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) has expressed approval for the recent enactment of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023. This legislation brings to fruition several key recommendations from the Migrant Workers’ Taskforce, addressing longstanding concerns over the exploitation of migrant workers within Australia’s migration system. The bill introduces significant measures to...

The legislative update, issued by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, introduces amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 concerning specified work and areas for Subclass 417 and 462 Visas (Instrument LIN 24/020, 2024). These changes, effective the day after registration on the Federal Register of Legislation, broaden the scope of ‘specified work’ to...

We are excited to inform you that the nomination process for the Skilled Work Regional (subclass 491) visa, Pathway 1, in New South Wales, is now accepting applications. In the subsequent sections, you will find comprehensive details about the nomination procedure and the critical criteria that applicants are required to meet. This pathway aims to...

This week marks a significant development in the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, with the introduction of a family accompaniment pilot by the Albanese Government. This innovative initiative will allow 200 PALM scheme workers, starting with those from Kiribati and Timor-Leste, the opportunity to bring their family members to Australia. Understanding the challenges of...

The Australian Government has introduced a new rule, known as the Migration (COVID-19 Pandemic event for Temporary Activity (Subclass 408) Visa) Repeal Instrument (LIN 24/003), which will take effect on February 1, 2024. This rule repeals the previous regulation, LIN 22/046, which had classified the COVID-19 pandemic as an ‘Australian Government endorsed event’ (AGEE). This...

Summary of the Monthly Update on Onshore Protection (Subclass 866) Visa Processing – December 2023 Total Lodgements: 1,942 protection visas were lodged onshore in December 2023. Country of Origin: Top countries for visa lodgements included Vietnam (371), China (203), India (157), Vanuatu (86), and the Philippines (82). Demographics: Applicants varied in age and gender, with...

A 37-year-old Sudanese-born individual is set to appear in the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court this evening (January 15, 2024) following allegations of non-compliance with the mandated curfew outlined in his visa conditions. The Australian Federal Police (AFP) arrested and charged the man on January 15, 2024, in Melbourne’s CBD. The charges stem from an alleged breach...