The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) has cancelled all exams in the Russian Federation, with reference to letters received by those who planned to take the test. According to the letter, the exams have been suspended “as a result of the aggravated foreign political situation” by decision of the owners of IELTS – the British Council and Cambridge Assessment English. Applicants were offered to transfer the funds paid for the exam to pay for courses to prepare for it. Otherwise, the money will be frozen until the resumption of examination sessions in Russia, the ..read more

From 1 July 2022, holders of subclass 482 Visa (Short Term Skill Shortage Stream) and subclass 457 (Temporary Work Skilled) may be able to transition to the permanent residency pathway, which has become available via the subclass 186 visa Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream. In order for sponsored subclass 457/482 visa holders to access this permanent residency pathway, the following requirements must be met: They held or had applied for a 457 visa pre 18 April 2017 OR They were in Australia for at least 12 months (cumulatively) between 1 Feb 2020 and 14 Dec 2021. Other ..read more

People travelling to Australia will no longer have to complete a Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) to declare their COVID-19 vaccination status, following changes to the Biosecurity Act, which come into effect from midnight AEST on Wednesday 6 July 2022. The Biosecurity Act changes, which were made following health advice from the Chief Medical Officer, mean that all visa holders can travel to Australia without needing a travel exemption. “As more and more of us travel internationally and we get more confident in managing our risk of COVID, our airports are getting busier ..read more

Highlights of Australia Immigration level plan A business group asks to lift caps temporarily for work and holiday visa The Business Council of Australia requested the government to raise the Australia PR migration cap up to 220,000 for a temporary period. Penalties for exploitation will be toughened Australia migration cap to be increased to manage manpower shortages A key business group wants that cap for the work and holiday visa should be lifted for a temporary period before the starting of jobs and skills summit. The Business Council of Australia requested the government ..read more

The Australian government has announced it will increase its annual migration intake by 35,000 places and invest $36 million into addressing lengthy visa backlogs. The announcement came on day two of the government's Jobs and Skills Summit, which has been dominated by Australia's labour shortage and the potential for migrant workers, who have largely left or avoided the country due to the pandemic, to help fill needed jobs. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Australia's reliance on workers with temporary visas had made the workforce "vulnerable" and there was a "general consensus" to ..read more

The Australian Government is streamlining requirements for temporary visa applicants in Australia. Temporary visa applicants in Australia will not be required to undertake medical examinations and chest x-rays, based on their nationality, previous residence and proposed length of stay, in order to meet the health requirement. Temporary visa applicants in Australia will still be required to undertake relevant medical examinations and/or chest x-rays if they: have applied for a medical treatment, temporary protection or a provisional visa expect to incur medical costs or require ..read more