The Digital Passenger Declaration (DPD) has replaced the Australia Travel Declaration and is required to be completed by all passengers arriving by air into Australia. The DPD can be completed seven days before the flight departure and submitted within 72 hours prior to departure for Australia.

"With the recent announcement of Australia’s borders reopening (on Feb 21), coupled with other immigration initiatives announced, we hope this will bring much needed help and manpower to Australia", Jamie Lingham, CEO and Global Immigration Leader, Absolute Immigration.

The Australian government has announced that from 18 February 2022, certain eligible Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders will have their visas extended or enlivened to 30 September 2022.

Majlinda Lulo, Chief Migration Strategist, and Belinda Man, Immigration Director, provided some great insights specifically for the healthcare sector along with suggested strategies of recruiting abroad.

Changes to migration programs including pathways to PR for STSOL visa holders in health and hospitality and longer SC 485s for international students studying Masters by course work appear to be underway although currently, they are in the planning stage.

From 1 December 2021, eligible visa holders* will be able to come to Australia without needing to apply for a travel exemption. This is fantastic news for individuals who hold these visas and also for the large number of industries and education institutions who have been experiencing significant staff shortages and are reliant on overseas workers

Majlinda Lulo, Chief Migration Strategist, and Belinda Man, Immigration Director, provided some great insights specifically for the healthcare sector along with suggested strategies of recruiting abroad.

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that from 21 November 2021, Singapore citizens who are considered fully vaccinated with an approved and recognized vaccine, will be able to travel to participating States and Territories in Australia without quarantining or requiring a travel exemption.

Majlinda Lulo, Chief Migration Strategist, and Belinda Man, Immigration Director, provided some great insights specifically for the healthcare sector along with suggested strategies of recruiting abroad.

For those who have been subject to a Section 48 Bar in Australia, a new instrument was registered Friday 29 October 2021 which effectively amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to allow applicants who have been refused a visa or had a visa canceled and are prevented from applying in Australia (section 48 bar) but are unable to leave and apply from overseas due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions, to make applications in Australia.

Jamie Lingham, CEO & Global Migration Leader, and Belinda Man, Immigration Director, provide an overview of recent trends and changes, impacts on the workforce, industries experiencing critical shortages, and what their outlook is for immigration in Australia.

The much-anticipated quarantine-free travel bubble between Australia and Singapore will commence on 8 November.