Immigration update: Australia | July 1 Changes Summary on Visa Programs

July 1 Changes Summary on Visa Programs

The Australian government has announced the changes that have taken place in its visa programs effective July 1st 2019. This update provides a basic summary of the key points.

Who will be affected?

All users of the Australian visa programs.

Background

July 1 marks the start of the new financial year in Australia, which is normally accompanied by a suite of changes to visa programs. Fees are normally increased at this time, state governments usually adjust their occupation lists to accommodate the next year’s allocations of places for visas, and other administrative changes often occur. This year is no exception.

Impact

The key changes that have occurred effective July 1 are:

Fee increases:  Government fees have increased by approximately 7.65%. This represents 2.25% CPI plus an additional 5.4% as announced in the recent Federal Budget.

Long stay temporary parent visa: The ability to apply for a long stay parent visa has now commenced.

Working holiday visa program: Several changes have occurred including:

  • Greece and Ecuador have been added to working holiday visa program
  • France passport holders join Canada and Ireland in being able to apply for a working holiday visa up to their 35th birthday. Applicants from all other eligible countries must apply before their 31st birthday
  • The option to apply for a third working holiday visa in some circumstances has now commenced. To be eligible applicants must have completed no less than 6 months of specified work in a regional area whilst holding their second working holiday visa (among other things).

 

Skilled Migration

Some state governments have announced changes to their skilled migration programs including:

  • The Australian Capital Territory’s new occupation list and guidelines come into effect on 01 July
  • South Australia will recommence processing of previously lodged Subclass 188 and 132 nominations from 1 July
  • Queensland will NOT reopen on 1 July, possibly reopening late July
  • Victoria’s new online visa nomination application system to be launched 15 July

 

Santa Fe Analysis

Unlike recent years, the July 1 changes this year have been largely expected, with no major surprises. This is broadly consistent with the wider landscape of Australian visas over the past few months as the program has once again settled after a couple of tumultuous years.

For further information or assistance please contact:

Simon Delmo                                                        
Immigration Manager
Santa Fe Relocation Australia
Registered Migration Agent No. 1066328
T: +61 3 9554 7393
E: Simon.Delmo@santaferelo.com

Soumeya Messadi
Head of Immigration Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa
Santa Fe Group, Singapore
D: +65 6398 3520 / +65 9169 6061
E: Soumeya.Messadi@santaferelo.com

 

To read more immigration updates, click here

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Santa Fe Relocation is a global mobility company specialising in managing and delivering high-quality relocation services worldwide. Our core competence is providing services that help corporations and their employees relocate and settle in a new country, assisting them with immigration, home and school searches, language and cultural training, property rentals, and domestic and international household goods shipments. We provide these services to a consistently high standard, locally and globally. A key strength is our ability to manage these services through our own operations around the world. Santa Fe Relocation is wholly owned by the Santa Fe Group, which is listed on NASDAQ in Copenhagen, Denmark. For more information, visit us at www.santaferelo.com

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