In the media
Man arrested for multi-million dollar migration
fraud
A joint agency investigation has led to the arrest of a
57-year-old man from the NSW Central Coast for allegedly being the
primary facilitator of a multi-million migration fraud. The man
allegedly facilitated more than 130 fraudulent visa applications
– focusing on the food service and regional farm worker
industries (17 November 2021).
More..
Extending support for the New Zealand pathway to
permanent residence
The Australian Government will extend measures to further
support New Zealand citizens adversely impacted by COVID-19 who are
on a pathway to permanent residence. From 13 November 2021, New
Zealand citizens applying for the New Zealand stream of the Skilled
Independent (subclass 189) visa will be able to claim an exemption
from either the 2019-20 or the 2020-21 income year (12 November
2021).
More..
Refugee workers: The untapped talent pool helping
corporates thrive
The University of Sydney and the Crescent Foundation
issued a guide to employers seeking to recruit people from refugee
backgrounds, featuring case studies from three companies. The
researchers said the case studies show the benefits to
organisations, employees, and Australian society from hiring
refugees (09 November 2021).
More..
In practice and courts and publishing
Pathways to permanent residence
Pathways to permanent residence will open on 5 March 2022
for eligible Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO)
passport holders, through two new visa streams:
Subclass 191 – the Hong Kong (regional)
stream — for primary visa holders who were usually
resident in Australia for a continuous period of at least three
years immediately before applying and who lived, worked and studied
exclusively in a designated regional area for that period, while
holding the qualifying visa.
Subclass 189 – the Hong Kong stream —
for primary visa holders who were usually resident in Australia for
a continuous period of at least four years immediately before
applying, and who held the qualifying visa during that
period.
More information about the pathways to permanent residence for Hong
Kong and BNO passport holders is available on the
Department of Home Affairs website (01 November 2021).
Recruiting workers for upcoming harvests
The Pacific labour programs will remain the priority
source of temporary migrant workers for Australia's agriculture
sector. The Government's commitment to double the number of
Pacific workers to 25,000 in Australia by March 2022 means that
there will be more workers available to fill critical workforce
shortages for the upcoming harvest seasons.? For more information
and updates refer to
The Australian Agriculture Visa.
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.
