To minimize the COVID19 impact on visa holders, the Department of Home Affairs has been offering a number of concessions to visa applicants and visa holders to overcome the difficulties and challenges during the COVID19 crisis.  

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Highlights

• Concessions for certain family visa applicants affected by COVID19 travel restrictions
• The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was updated to include Social Worker (272511)
• Concessions and changes from 19 September 2020

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Changes to ENS 186 and RSMS 187 for 457 & 482 visa holders affected by  COVID-19 Pandemic.

The Department of Home Affairs has recently announced new changes to the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is good news for 457 and 482 visa-holders who are looking to apply for a permanent employer-sponsored visa through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

On 17 November 2020, NSW has announced new Subclass 491 state nomination requirements for the remainder of the financial year.

The number of quota has been exhausted for the interim nomination arrangement in NSW. NSW is awaiting the allocation of places from the Home Affairs for the rest of the financial year.

What changes have been made? 

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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).