Latest Migration Updates from the Department of Home Affairs - 18.11.2020

Due to the uncertain times caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Department of Home Affairs made some changes certain visa requirements.

Student Visa fee
Students can have their student visa application fee waived if they lodge a further student visa application to complete their study. This will be available to students who held a student visa on or after 1 February 2020 and who could not complete their course within their original visa validity due to the impacts of COVID-19. This includes students who:
• deferred their study as they were unable to enter Australia due to travel restrictions
• were forced to reduce to a part-time study load
• were unable to complete their work-based training or placements.

This measure is not intended for students who are applying for a new student visa due to ordinary reasons (including if you have failed a course or a unit of study, deferred for personal reasons or voluntarily reduced your study load.)

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa eligibility
Changes were also made to the requirements for a Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) to assist those who have been impacted by Covid-19. These changes are:
• online study undertaken outside Australia as a result of COVID-19 travel restrictions will count towards the Australian Study Requirement for existing and new student visa holders
• graduates affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions will be able to apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia (where they have met all the requirements).

Online study outside Australia is counted from the time of Student visa grant. If you are applying from outside Australia you must hold or have held a Student visa in the past 12 months to apply.

Flexible timeframes for additional information – English tests, biometrics and health
Additional time will be allowed for applicants to provide English language test results if they were unable to take a test because of COVID-19.

Additional time will also be allowed for biometrics collection and health checks where COVID-19 disrupted access to services.

Where you have made an appointment for one or more of these services, which is more than 28 days into the future, you may attach your booking confirmation in your ImmiAccount.

Return of international students to Australia
Arrangements for the return of international students to Australia will be made once it is safe to do so, and in a way which protects the Australian community.

In this uncertain times where the regulations changes constantly, Straits Lawyers hope to assist you in your migration matters and enquiries. We are now offering online services in both English and Chinese.

Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice and Straits Lawyers will not be legally responsible for any actions you take based on this article.

https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/student-visa