Latest News

DIAC announce SkillSelect online system

On the 27th January 2012 The Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced SkillSelect, an online system which will allow skilled workers to record their details and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for an invitation to lodge a skilled visa application. SkillSelect is a major change to how the skilled migration program is managed in Australia and will be implemented on 1st July 2012.

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DIAC announce SkillSelect online system


‘Skills Australia needs’ events announced.

The department of Immigration and Citizenship have announced today, Nov 11th 2012 that they will host 2 days of information sessions to be held in London on Feb 25th & Feb 26th next year. The events will give employers the chance to meet face to face with specially selected skilled workers. Interested skilled workers can apply to attend the event through the department’s website.

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Skills Australia needs events announced


Chile & Turkey added to list of eligible countries for online e676 tourist visa applications.

From the 20th Sep 2011 citizens of Chile and select citizens of Turkey will be able to apply online for the e676 electronic tourist visa. The applicants will be able to check their progress online and the visa does not require a visa label to be placed in a passport. The e676 enables people to apply for a tourist visa using a convenient, fast and secure application process.

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Chile & Turkey added to e676 list


Skilled migration applicants get more information on processing times

New information has been added to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s website on 9th Aug 2011 which will give applicants a clearer view of where DIAC are in processing applications. This should prove to be a useful resource for applicants and will be kept up to date on a regular basis.

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Processing information for Skilled Migration applicants


Perth now classified as a regional area for certain visa categories

On 19 July 2011 the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced the inclusion of Perth in the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS). The minister also agreed to include Perth as a regional area for family sponsored applications through the regional General Skilled Migration (GSM) programs.

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Perth Regional Classification

 


Information for General Skilled Migration Applicants in Priority Group 5

DIAC has recently released information for applicants regarding the priority processing arrangements in place for General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applicants, including instructions on how to obtain the latest information about when an application is nearing assessment by a case officer.

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Information regarding Priority Group 5 GSM applications

 


Updated Character Requirement

All people who are not Australian citizens require a visa to enter Australia. One of the conditions for the grant of a visa is that the applicant must meet the legal requirements for entry to Australia and, in particular, the Public Interest Criteria.

From time to time, visa applications are received from, or visas are held by, people whose presence in Australia may, because of their activities, reputation, known record or the cause they represent and propagate:

  • vilify or incite discord in the Australian community or a segment of that community
  • represent a danger to the Australian community or a segment of that community, or
  • be contrary to Australia’s foreign policy interests.

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Updated Character Requirement

 


Introduction of Public Interest Criterion Relating to Fraud

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship is introducing the Fraud Public Interest Criterion (PIC) that will be applied to certain visa subclasses in the Skilled and Employer Sponsored Migration Program. The aim of the implementation is to minimise the level of fraud currently present in a number of visa applications. It will provide the department with a greater ability to refuse applications containing information that is false of misleading.

The Fraud Public Interest Criterion will be introduced on 2.04.2011

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Fraud Public Interest Criterion