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

Mother’s Day for Greek Australians: A time for love, memory and reflection

The roots of Mother’s Day can be traced back to Ancient Greek and Roman festivals which honoured the mother goddesses Rhea and Cybele.

Greek olive oil poised for growth in booming Australian market

A study by the Economic and Commercial Affairs Office of the Greek Consulate in Sydney highlights strong opportunities for Greek olive oil.

The Greek alphabet may be older than first thought

Associate Professor Willemijn Waal, with the help of a Vici grant, aims to explore whether the alphabet could be several centuries older.

Evangelos Demos to give seminar on the geopolitics of Greek foreign policy

Evangelos Demos is currently a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney under the supervision of Professor Vrasidas Karalis.

Niki Louca shares her recipe for Daktylies (Cypriot-style bread)

Niki Louca from My Greek Kitchen shares her favourite recipe for Daktylies (Cypriot-style bread) with The Greek Herald.

You May Also Like

Legendary Australian sports journalist, John Economos, passes away

Former editor of the Australian Soccer Weekly and a long-time family member of Foreign Language Publications, John Economos, has passed away.

Stefanos Tsitsipas loses Mexican Open final to Alexander Zverev

Alexander Zverev has been crowned the champion of the Mexican Open following his 6-4, 7-6 win against first-seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Excellence in Greek language celebrated at Sydney’s Macquarie University

The Award Ceremony of the Certificates of Attainment in the Greek Language 2022 took place at Macquarie University in Sydney on February 9.