Immigration To Australia | 澳大利亚移民 - Australian Immigration and Visa

Source: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2009/ce09088.htm

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has welcomed the passage of the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Test Review and Other Measures) Bill 2009 through the Parliament today.

The changes detailed in the Bill will implement the recommendations made by the Citizenship Test Review Committee last year.

Source: http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2009/ce09087.htm

The new Australian citizenship test will see potential new citizens assessed on their understanding of Australian civics and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship rather than undergoing a general knowledge quiz about Australia.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today released the revised citizenship test resource book, Australian Citizenship: Our Common Bond, which provides the information required to take the new test, due to be rolled out on October 19.

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/subclass-457-legislation.htm

The links and attached documents below are the amendments to the Migration Regulations and associated Procedures Advice Manual as part of the 'Worker Protection' legislation for the Subclass 457 visa program.
Amendments to the Migration Regulations
Please refer to the links below to the ComLaw website for updates to the Migration Regulations 1994.
The consolidated regulations that were signed by the Governor General at the Executive Council Meetings of 18 June 2009 and 12 August 2009.

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/migrants/family/partner-visa.htm

From 14 September 2009, amendments have been made to the Migration Regulations to allow some partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who were previously barred from making an application to apply for a Partner visa in Australia.

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student-visa-checks-strengthened.htm

Background

On 20 August 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced the strengthening of checks on student visa applications to prevent fraud and ensure students have the financial capacity to live and study in Australia.
See: Student visa checks strengthened

As one of the measures to strengthen integrity, the department will be strengthening checks around parts of the student visa case load in India, Mauritius, Nepal, Brazil, Zimbabwe and Pakistan.

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/457-market-salary-rates.htm

Background

From 14 September 2009, all sponsors of Subclass 457 visa holders (457 sponsors) will be required to adhere to new Sponsorship Obligations.

For 457 sponsors who are standard business sponsors, the obligation to ensure equivalent terms and conditions of employment will mean that they pay their overseas workers market salary rates. For current Subclass 457 visa holders, transitional arrangements will apply.

The second issues paper as part of the MODL Review to assess the central skills targeting mechanism for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is now available.

The evaluation process will be a major step in constructing a framework for migration which will meet Australia's longer term economic, social and demographic needs.

See: Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) Review second Issues Paper

Source: http://www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/china-student-visa-health-pilot.htm

China Student Visa Health Pilot: eHealth (Online Health) for Student Visa Paper-Based Applications

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/application-forms/forms_changes.htm

Changes usually occur three times per year, March, July and November.

Unless you have been advised otherwise, please use the current version of any of the department's forms or booklets – the versions on this website are the latest version.

Expected changes 14 September 2009

Summary of expected forms changes
Summary of changes to forms to be released on 14 September 2009.
See: Summary of proposed forms changes – 14 September 2009 (9KB PDF file)

Withdrawn forms and booklets

The Australian Government today released issues papers for, and called for comments to, the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) review.

The evaluation process will be a major step in constructing a framework for migration which will meet Australia's longer term economic, social and demographic needs.

The MODL review will assess the central skills targeting mechanism for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. The MODL was introduced to target the GSM program, to applicants who had skills in occupations and specialisations in short supply in Australia.