Aust-UKFTA – Inclusion in ITO Instrument

The Labour Market Testing (LMT) concessions under the Aust-UKFTA commenced on 31 May 2023 which amended LIN 21/075 by adding the Aust-UKFTA to the list of ITOs in that instrument.

Migrant worker protections to be increased

The government has declared that stronger safeguards would be put in place to target businesses that try to take advantage of people on temporary visas and to make sure that workers can express their concerns without fear of retaliation.

Parliament will be presented with legislation that will punish dishonest employers in the following ways:

• making it unlawful to pressure someone into violating their visa requirements

• implementing ban notices to prevent firms who have exploited migrants from continuing to hire people on temporary visas

• To prevent exploitation, enhance penalties and introduce additional compliance measures.

• s235 of the Migration Act should be repealed because it intentionally discredits those who report exploitative activities.

NZ Citizens – Australian Citizenship

Some New Zealanders will be able to apply for Australian citizenship as early as July 1, 2023.

When a Special Category Visa holder meets the requirements of subsection 5(2) of the Citizenship Act, such person is said to have established permanent residency in Australia when:

Persons who previously held a special category visa

Subsection 5(2) also applies to NZ citizens who are outside of Australia (not having been removed or deported from Australia) and, immediately before departing Australia, were holders of an SCV or an SCV granted on the basis of the person’s status as an airline crew member or an airline positioning crew member.

Children of SCV holders born in Australia

Children born in Australia to parents holding SCVs during the relevant period will be taken to have become Australian citizens at birth under para 12(1)(a) of the Citizenship Act.

NZ diplomatic or consular representatives

The above arrangements do not apply to a person who is in Australia as a diplomatic or consular representative of NZ or is the spouse or dependent child of a diplomatic or consular representative of NZ.

SkillSelect round – 25 May 2023

Request for International Movement Records – changed process

All requests for movement records should now be submitted via the web enquiry form Request for international movement records.

Changes to Medical Examinations from 1 July 2023

Urine tests will no longer be included in the medical examination starting on July 1, 2023. Instead, we will demand that a blood test be performed. Before July 1, 2023, applicants who are 15 years of age or older and have not finished their medical examinations will have to submit to a blood test. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 will no longer be required to submit to urine or blood testing unless clinically necessary.

Trades Recognition Australia – Update and changes

TRA has provided an update for MIA members including:

• a reminder on lodging valid applications
• security updates from 29 June 2023
• reintroduction of Provisional Skills Assessments from 1 July 2023.

The full update is available here for members.

Kathleen Folbigg granted ‘unconditional pardon’

Kathleen Folbigg has been granted an unconditional pardon and will be released from prison “without delay” following an inquiry that analysed new evidence into the deaths of her four infant children.

Following the April inquiry, which heard a genetic variant could be the cause of death for Ms Folbigg’s daughters Sarah and Laura, Attorney-General Michael Daley has announced he recommended to the governor to grant an “unconditional pardon”.

“I have reached a view that there is reasonable doubt as to Ms Folbigg’s guilt,” Mr Daley announced.

“She has now been pardoned.

“This has been a terrible ordeal for anyone concerned, and I hope our actions today can put some closure on this 20-year matter.”

In 2003, Ms Folbigg was convicted of the manslaughter of her child Caleb, the inflection of grievous bodily harm of her son Patrick and the murders of her children Sarah, Laura and Patrick.

FREE REGO FOR VICTORIAN APPRENTICES

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Roads and Road Safety Melissa Horne today visited the Kangan Institute in Broadmeadows to meet apprentices who will be eligible for free vehicle registration from 1 July, saving them up to $865 every year.

The $10 million initiative is being delivered in the Victorian Budget 2023/24 to put more money back in Victorian apprentices’ pockets – and will provide free registration to apprentices like carpenters, joiners, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians and chefs if their employer can verify that their vehicle is an essential part of their work.

The initiative adds to a number of measures the Labor Government has already introduced to ease financial pressure for trainees and apprentices across the state.

Apprentices who need their car for work are already entitled to a 50 per cent discount on their vehicle’s registration fee as part of the Labor Government’s Trade Apprentice Registration Discount scheme – with over 12,000 apprentices and trainees currently taking advantage of the discount.

Contributory Parent, Parent and Other Family visa allocation 2022-23

Contributory Parent visas

A maximum of 6,800 visas may be granted for the 2022-2023 financial year, up from 3,600 in the previous year.

Parent Visas

A maximum of 1,700 Parent visas may be granted in the 2022- 2023 financial year, up from 900 in the previous year.

Other Family visas

A maximum of 500 Other Family visas may be granted in the 2022-2023 financial year, the same number as in the previous year.