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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 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).

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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Business & Skilled Migration Queensland Australia (BSMQ) has announced it will temporarily open statement nomination program (BSMQ business and skilled program) from Tuesday 29 September 2020 until Monday 5 October 2020.

BSMQ indicates the following:  

• They will only pick up NEW EOIs lodged from Tuesday 29 September 2020.
• The invitation will be closed if all supporting documents have not been uploaded in 24 hours.

The Australian immigration department has recently offered COVID-19 concessions to international students for Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate. During COVID-19 pandemic, many visa applicants and international students have been adversely affected by circumstances beyond their control, including Border closures, stand-downs and disruptions to courses.