Selected Legislation Changes - Feb/Mar 2020
| Change | Detail | Effective from |
| COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 |
LIN 20/122: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00409 The purpose of the instrument is also to implement a measure to respond to workforce shortages during the COVID-19 pandemic in relation to areas including, but not limited to, agriculture, aged care and public health. The instrument is designed to allow holders of temporary visas who are engaged in or have the relevant skills to undertake critical work relating to supply of essential goods and services, provided the applicant falls within the class of persons specified by the instrument. |
4 April 2020 |
| LMT -International trading obligations |
LIN 20/029: Determination of International Trade Obligations Relating to Labour Market Testing https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00084 Section 6 of the instrument includes three new free trade agreements made under the Customs Amendment (Growing Australian Export Opportunities Across the Asia-Pacific) Act 2019 (Customs Amendment Act), namely the Peru-Australia Free Trade Agreement (PAFTA), the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA), and the Free Trade Agreement between Australia and Hong Kong, China (A-HKFTA). |
|
| Corona Virus and Australian Visas |
COVID-19 (Novel coronavirus) and Australian visas - Departmental Infomation https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus |
|
| Corona Virus- Detention centre |
The purpose is to determine the North West Point Immigration Detention Centre (North West Point IDC) on Christmas Island as a zone, to control entry into the zone. |
3 Feb 2020 |
| Corona virus - NIL VAC for reapplying student |
LIN 20/099: Classes of Persons for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) Visa Applications https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020L00158 LIN 20/102: Arrangements for Student (Temporary) (Class TU) visa applications |
25 Feb 2020 |
| Corona virus - NIL VAC for reapplying visitors |
LIN 20/045: Class of persons for Visitor (Class FA) visa applications LIN 20/046: Arrangements for Visitor (Class FA) Visa Applications |
25 Feb 2020 |
| Corona virus - travel ban for Australian residents |
Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) Declaration 2020 https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2020C00465 Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Overseas Travel Ban Emergency Requirements) Determination 2020 |
25 Mar 2020 |
| WHV visas - bushfire recovery work |
These instruments specify areas of Australia affected by bushfires occurring after 31 July 2019 and before 1 March 2020 as regional Australia. The instrument also specifies bushfire recovery work carried out after 31 July 2019, either as paid employment or voluntary work, as specified work. |
5 Mar 2020 |
