A Happy New Year to all our readers. We open the first Newsletter of the new year with some good news for international travellers and businesses.
FULL OPENING OF AUSTRALIA’S BORDERS
The Federal Government has recently announced that Australia’s borders will be fully opened on February 21st 2022, to all international travellers who have been double vaccinated with an approved vaccination.
Those travellers who are not vaccinated will have to still apply for a travel exemption, and if they are granted an exemption, will have to quarantine.
SkillSelect UPDATE – January 2022 INVITATION ROUNDS
The following information was released on February 8th:
| Visa Subclass | Number |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 200 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored | 200 |
| Visa Subclass | Minimum Points | Date of effect month |
| Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) | 90 | 09/2021 |
| Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored | 80 | 01/2022 |
Forty-one occupations were invited to apply for visas, with the majority being health professionals.
The latest invitations bring the total number of SC 189 visas invited in this program year to 650 and SC 491 Family Sponsored visas to 900.
STUDENT AND WORKING HOLIDAY VISA WORK RIGHTS CHANGES – BRIDGING VISA A HOLDERS
Following the Department’s announcement that student visa holders will be able to work unlimited hours and that the six month work limitation has been lifted for WHM, the Department has clarified the situation for associated Bridging Visa A holders, which was hitherto unclear.
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that these same conditions also apply to Bridging Visa A holders where:
- the Bridging Visa holder’s last visa held was a student granted with condition 8104 or 8105, and the visa holder is able to work unlimited work hours. BV holders who do not have this condition are not able to work unlimited hours.
- The relaxation of the 6 month work limitation on WH visa holders also apply to WH-associated Bridging Visa holders.
Please contact our office if you have any questions regarding the above.
This newsletter only provides general information related to current migration matters. The information contained in this communication does not constitute specific migration advice, and should not be construed or relied on as such. Professional advice should be sought for the specifics of your situation prior to any action being taken. BD Welsh and Co disclaims any liability (including, without limitation, for any direct or indirect or consequential costs, loss or damage or loss of profits) arising from anything done or omitted to be done by any party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on any of the information contained in this newsletter. Any party that relies on the information does so at its own risk. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.