Archive for February 2018

Proposed changes to Partner Visa were expected in 2017 but it has been deferred to 2018.  This is because the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 (Cth) (“the Bill”) is still before the Senate and has not been enacted. If the Bill is enacted, it will establish a sponsorship framework for partner visas, placing more…

From March 2018, the current 457 visa program will be abolished and replaced with the completely new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. The TSS visa will be comprised of a Short-Term stream allowing stays of up to two years, and a Medium-Term stream allowing stays of up to four years. The Short-Term stream visa is renewable only once. …

The Department of Home Affairs The Australian Government made reforms in 2017 to make the Department of Immigration and Border Protection a part of the Department of Home Affairs Portfolio.  On 20th December 2017 the Department of Immigration and Border Protection joined other departments such as security and criminal justice under the Department of Home…