189/491 visas: “Targeted” invitation rounds for May 2020 and June 2020 due to COVID-19

189/491 visas: “Targeted” invitation rounds for May 2020 and June 2020 due to COVID-19

The much-anticipated May 2020 and June 2020 invitation rounds have finally been published by the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs). While there has been an increase in invitations issued from the dismal April 2020 round, the goalposts have been moved from highest points first to a “targeted” invitation system due to COVID-19.

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Australia’s permanent migration places remain at 160,000 for 2020-21…for now

Australia’s permanent migration places remain at 160,000 for 2020-21…for now

The Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) has released an FAQ to confirm among other things that the number of permanent migration places allocated for this program year (2020-21) is the same as for the last program year. This is not set in stone and is likely to change when the Federal Budget is handed down in October.

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ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount system outage from 7 pm on 30 June, credit card and PayPal surcharge increases from 1 July 2020

ImmiAccount and other major online services provided by the Department of Home Affairs will be down for scheduled maintenance from 7 pm (AEST) 30 June 2020 until 9 am (AEST) 1 July 2020. While there has been no news on any changes to visa application charges or other migration- and citizenship-related fees, the surcharge for Visa and Mastercard payments and PayPal will increase, with an important warning for any applicant seeking to avoid surcharges altogether by using BPAY.

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AAT caseload overload: On hand migration applications increase 34 per cent to almost 60,000

AAT caseload overload: On hand migration applications increase 34 per cent to almost 60,000

The Administrative Appeals Tribunal’s (AAT’s) 2018-19 annual report shows the Migration and Refugee Division continues to be weighed down by the number of review applications lodged despite their best efforts in adopting case management strategies and increasing the number of finalised applications. A crucial target they have met is making legally sound decisions, which means the chances of success if a matter is taken to court is much more difficult.

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