MARA Registered Migration Agents

What is a MARA migration agent?.

MARA stands for “Migration Agents Registration Authority”.

This is an Australian government department, with its website at: “https://www.mara.gov.au/“.

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority is the industry regulator for Australian migration agent services, and their functions are set out in … Read the rest

Priority Skills list for Australian Visa grant

Seventeen occupations are on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).

The occupations on the PMSOL will be given priority processing, once Australian borders open, for visa applications.

The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List.

Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
Construction Project Manager (133111)
Mechanical Engineer (233512)
General Practitioner (253111)… Read the rest

Travel Exemption Australia

During the current International travel ban in Australia, some visa holders are still allowed to enter, although some need to apply for an travel ban exemption first.

Partner visa holders (subclasses 100, 309, 801, 820) and Child visa holder (subclasses 101, 102, 445) can come to Australia, without the need … Read the rest

Mobile Phone Ban Immigration Detention

What exactly is the Ban on Mobile Phones for those in Immigration Detention?

Criminals that are awaiting deportation are allowed to keep mobile phones, and use them,  while in immigration detention.

Currently the Australian Border Force (ABF) does not have the power to confiscate items like mobile phones possessing child … Read the rest

Australian Citizenship Statistics

Massive Increase in Citizenship Grants.

A record number of people became Australian Citizens during the 2019-20 year.

This is a great improvement on the previous years. It is also a surprising number following the restrictions originally imposed due to the COVID-19 coronavirus issues.

Citizenship ceremonies were initially suspended, until they … Read the rest

Who is Allowed to Leave Australia during COVID

Not everyone is allowed to leave Australia during the COVID travel ban period.

A resident of Australia is not allowed to leave the country unless they havevan exemption.

A Non Resident is permitted to leave.

What is the definition of Non Resident?

According to one source, someone who successfully departed … Read the rest

Partner Visa Processing Legislation

A notice has been lodged in Parliament to address changes to the processing of Partner Visas.

Julian Christopher Hill is member of the Australian Labor Party, and the Member of Parliament for Bruce, Melbourne, in the House of Representatives.

In May 2020, Mr Hill called for a large increase in … Read the rest

Australian Visa Processing Times July 2020

Processing Times for July 2020.

Due to COVID-19, some visa processing times have been affected and applications may take longer to finalise. Processing times are not available for all visa subclasses.

Last updated: 19 August 2020 for month ending July 2020.

  • 100 – Partner (Migrant) visa (subclass 100) . 20-24
Read the rest

Overseas Students get Priority over Interstate Students?

Are Overseas Students being given Priority over Interstate Students?.

With the news that 300 Overseas Students are being permitted to enter South Australia in September, but domestic students from other Australian states are still refused entry, it raises a few questions.

Federal Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Simon Birmingham said:… Read the rest