Major changes announced for family visa applicants in Australia

·

The Morrison Government is making further changes to the Family visa program to support applicants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

From early 2021, the Government will allow certain Family visas which have been applied for outside Australia, to be granted while the visa applicant is in Australia. 

This temporary concession will be for people who are in Australia and are not able to travel offshore to be granted the visa due to COVID-19 related border closures.

READ MORE: Citizenship appointments resume in all states and territories.

The Government estimates the change will benefit about 4000 visa applicants currently in Australia, predominately Partner applicants.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, said the changes would be temporary.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alan Tudge, said the changes would be temporary and will be reviewed in line with any changes to Australia’s international travel restrictions.

“These are common sense changes to reduce the impact that the travel restrictions are having on our immigration program,” Mr Tudge said.

READ MORE: Migrants to Australia required to learn English to be granted a permanent visa.

“Importantly, this will allow a foreign national who is a partner of an Australian citizen to progress their visa, without having to leave the country. 

“I know this will be a relief to those Australians who were concerned that their loved one may have to leave the country with no certainty as to when they could return.”

These changes are in addition to the Government’s decision to almost double the number of Partner visa places in 2020-21.

It is expected that three quarters of these visas will go to those already onshore, with the increase in numbers addressing nearly all the present applicants awaiting for finalisation of their visa.

READ MORE: Since when does speaking English determine your worth?’ Community reacts to compulsory English learning.

The temporary concession to allow applicants to remain in Australia to progress their visa will apply to the following Family visa subclasses:

  • Partner (subclass 309) visa
  • Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa
  • Child (subclass 101) visa
  • Adoption (subclass 102) visa
  • Dependent Child (subclass 445) visa

Further information will be made available in early 2021 on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

Amaretti: A sweet treat from My Greek Kitchen

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for Amaretti (a bitter-sweet flavored macaroon) with The Greek Herald.

The Italian occupation and bombardment of Corfu

In 1923, a year after Mussolini rose to power fascist Italy revealed its expansionist ambitions in the Balkans.

You May Also Like

Traditional Greek Recipes: Yiayia’s Rizogalo (Rice Pudding)

Rizogalo is a traditional Greek style rice pudding flavored with vanilla beans and cinnamon. Rizogalo simply translates to “rice milk”; rizo means “rice” and galo is “milk” in Greek.

Greece’s Alternate Interior Minister: ‘We stand by the diaspora in Australia’

Minister Theodoros Livanios expressed that ‘Greece stands by you” in an exclusive interview with The Greek Herald

Greek Australian politicians meet with President of Greece’s Parliament

President of Greece's Parliament, Constantine Tassoulas, met with newly elected board of The World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association.