Newsletter 181

Exit tax to increase -Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2024 

This revises the Passenger Movement Charge Act 1978 (Passenger Movement Charge Act) to enact the 2023-24 Budget proposal of the Australian Government. The measure involves an increase in the passenger movement charge, a tax levied on individuals leaving Australia for another country, irrespective of their return.

Specifically, the amendment raises the per-person rate of the passenger movement charge from $60 to $70 for those departing Australia for another country on or after July 1, 2024. However, individuals departing with tickets sold or issued before July 1, 2024, will still be subject to the previous charge of $60.

The legislation has successfully passed through both parliamentary houses and is currently awaiting assent. Once granted, the changes will become effective.

Further Information on this Bill can be found on the Australian Parliament House website.

End of the two-year extension of post-study work rights 

The Department of Education has posted on its website that the extended post-study work privileges, granting international graduates with specific degrees an extra two years on their Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), will no longer be accessible starting mid-2024. While the Department has not specified the exact cessation date for this two-year extension, they have assured that they will provide updates on their website as soon as more information becomes available.

For further information please refer to the Department of Education’s website. We will keep members’ updated on this as further information becomes available.  

Subclass 407 linking new sponsorship and nomination to pending visa application.

 The Professional Support team has been receiving numerous inquiries from members regarding the possibility of linking a new Temporary Activities Sponsorship (TAS) and nomination to a visa application that is currently pending. The Department has clarified that if a TAS application is submitted, and in the event of its refusal, if the associated nomination is administratively finalized instead of being refused, the applicant has the option to either withdraw the existing visa application or submit a new TAS and nomination application, which can then be linked to the ongoing visa application.

Orana DAMA seeking variation 

RDA Orana has indicated that they are presently in the process of pursuing an amendment to the Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA). This modification aims to expand the covered geographical region, encompassing an additional 40 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to address shortages in skilled labor. Further details will be communicated by RDA Orana as they become accessible.