From 14 November 2020, the Subclass 124 visa has been closed and the Subclass 858 visa has been expanded to include offshore applications instead.

Some changes have been made to the Distinguished Talent Visa, which makes applying under the GTI visa program easier for both offshore and onshore visa applicants. These changes also apply outside of the Global Talent program, to people applying directly for a Distinguished Talent visa.

Importantly, Subclass 124 and Subclass 858 visas submitted before 14 November 2020 will not be affected by the changes, and continue to be subject to the requirements and criteria in place at the time of application.

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On 17 September 2020 (Australian Citizenship Day), the Australian Government announced that Australian citizenship test will be updated and revised. This is the first time change in more than one decade, adding questions that focus on Australian values. After 15 November 2020, the candidates will take the updated citizenship test with new changes.  

WHAT ARE THE CHANGES

The focus of the changes is to add questions of Australian values ​​to the test. Applicants are required to have a deeper understanding and recognition of Australian values, and understand the importance of democracy and the rule of law before making a final commitment to Australia. The changes will be officially implemented on November 15, 2020.

These changes have no impact on applicants' English language and residence requirements.

The revised citizenship test will comprise of 20 multiple choice questions with 5 questions on Australian values. Applicants who take the test on and after 15 November 2020 must correctly answer 5 questions regarding "Australian Values".

HOW TO PASS THE TEST

The 2020 United States Presidential election commenced on 3 November 2020. While the election is still ongoing and everyone is anxiously waiting for the outcome, this makes us think what would Trump or Biden’s impact on Australian migration?

South Australia has recently introduced the amended Designed Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) which has become easier and cheaper for DAMA visa applicants.

A great PR pathway for those who seek concessions for:

• English Language
• Age Requirement
• Permanent Residence Pathway
• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)

The Department of Home Affairs has released the invitation September 2020 round for Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) and Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Early in October 2020, the Federal Budget was announced, along with various changes to partner visas for the 2020-21 migration program year.

On 16 October 2020, Move to South Australia has announced that South Australia 2020/2021 skilled & Business Migration Program will have further updates in late November 2020. There may be further update in terms of skilled migration with new occupation lists & updated criteria & Business migration with updated criteria. An exact date is not known at the moment.  

The migration planning level was released with the Federal Budget and the Global Talent Independent Visa was the big winner of the visa subclasses.

On 06 October 2020, Australian government has handed down the federal budget 2020 which is to recover the Australian economy.  2020/2021 migration planning level has also been released shortly after the federal budget announcement.  

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Highlights

• Australia’s net Migration remain the same
• Global Talent Independent Program (GTI) allocations have been tripled
• Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) allocations have been doubled

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Click the following blog for the information about the most recent changes annouced: 2020/2021 Migration Latest Updates

Tonight, the federal government will provide more details to allocate funding towards services and programs for the country for 2020 -2021 financial year.

The Federal budget 2020 will deliver an economic recovery plan in which Australian migration will be a key component.

Highlights

• Australian government will announce the Federal Budget 2020 tonight

• Migration program planning levels will be announced tonight

• Australian states & territories General Skilled Migration (GSM) will open soon