The Australian federal government has announced it has begun to fast-track visa applications lodged by residents of Hong Kong.

Workers on the Temporary Activity Visa (subclass 408) are permitted to change employer for a different employer(s) in any critical sector occupation and position.

The Government is moving to protect foreign workers from exploitation by employers. The plans include listing certain employers as ‘prohibited employers, barring them from employing and/or sponsoring foreign workers.

The Business Innovation & Investment Program (BIIP) has been streamlined and improvements have been made to the Complying Investment Framework (CIF).

Department of Home Affairs is processing Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa applications, in particular from applicants who are currently residing in New Zealand

The Immigration Minister announced that from Monday 19 July, the maximum duration of Essential Skills visas for jobs paid below the median wage will increase from 12 months to 24 months.