Newsletter March 2024
End of the two-year extension of post-study work rights The extended 2-year post-study work (subclass 485) visa offered to international graduates with select degrees will no longer be available from mid-2024. The Department of Home Affairs has noted that there is currently no set date for when the two-year extension will cease but they will […]
Urgent Notice: Closure of the Pandemic Event Visa
The COVID-19 Pandemic event visa (subclass 408) will close to all applications on 1 February 2024. Individuals with an existing 408, which is scheduled to expire within the next 90 days, are eligible to apply for an extension.There is a Visa Application Charge of $405 AUD, and new applications will receive a six month visa.Please […]
Newsletter December 2023
New Skilled Visa Earlier this week, the government has revealed its 10-year migration strategy. Following the changes in skills migration, the government plans to introduce a new ‘Skills in Demand’ visa, replacing the existing temporary skill shortage (TSS) visa. The new visa will offer more flexibility for workers to change employers and clear routes to […]
Expanding Employer Sponsored Pathways to Permanent Residence (PR)
The Department of Home Affairs has expanded access to permanent pathways for subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) holders and 457 skilled workers in all streams (that is Short-term, Medium-term and Labour Agreement streams), to now apply for the following permanent visa’s: The length of time required to hold a subclass 482 or 457, has […]
Extension of Working Holiday Visa Conditions
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, and Multicultural Affairs recently announced an update to the Working Holiday Visa (subclass 462 & 417) program. The update includes an extension of the eased requirements under visa condition 8547, as a part of the ongoing Migration Strategy reforms. Extended employment without permission Working Holiday Visa applicants can work for […]
Expanding Employer Sponsored Pathways to Permanent Residence (PR)
The Department of Home Affairs is currently working to implement changes to Employer-Sponsored Migration Program on 25 November 2023 for the following visas: Specifically: We will keep you posted Past Issues with further news and updates! If PLAYFAIR can assist you with your global mobility and immigration needs, please reach out to us now via […]
ANNOUNCEMENT: George Lombard elected as MIA NSW/ACT President
We are thrilled to announce that our Special Counsel, George Lombard has been elected as the New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory Branch President of The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA). At PLAYFAIR, we have always strived for excellence, and this election reflects our ongoing commitment to upholding the highest standards in migration service […]
Newsletter October 2023
In our ongoing commitment to keeping you informed about the latest developments in immigration and compliance, we are thrilled to bring you significant updates from the Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Immigration: Government announces $50 million integrity boost to Home Affairs The federal government will devote $50 million to an integrity overhaul […]
Newsletter September 2023
New Work and Holiday Maker arrangement with the Philippines Prime Minister Anthony Albanese signed a Strategic Partnership with President of the Philippines HE Ferdinand R Marcos Jr during his visit to Manila on 8 September. One of the initiatives to boost ties with the Philippines is a new reciprocal Work and Holiday visa for Australians […]
Urgent Update: Closure of the Pandemic Event Visa
The Department of Home Affairs have announced that the subclass 408 AGEE (COVID-19) visa is ceasing from 11:59 PM tonight, 1 September 2023 for all new applicants. From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders. If you intend to proceed with a subclass […]