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Stronger measures for the protection of children
Since 16 September 2009, sponsors of child visa applications and partner or prospective marriage applications which include a minor applicant have been required to provide a police check as part of the process of assessing the application.
See: Stronger Measures for the Protection of Children
Changes to Expand Onshore Partner Visa Eligibility
From 14 September 2009, amendments have been made to the Migration Regulations to allow some partners of Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents or eligible New Zealand citizens who were previously barred from making an application to apply for a Partner visa in Australia..
See: Changes to Expand Onshore Partner Visa Eligibility
Amendments in relation to Contributory Parent visa holders sponsoring a partner
From 1 July 2009, amendments have been made to the Migration Regulations to prevent persons who are granted a permanent Contributory Parent category visa (subclasses 143 and 864) from sponsoring their partner for a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa for five years from the day of their visa grant, if they:
- were granted their permanent Contributory Parent category visa on or after 1 July 2009; and
- were in a spouse or de facto partner relationship on or before the date their permanent Contributory Parent category visa was granted and now wish to sponsor that partner.
Further details are available on the department's website.
See: Amendments in Relation to Contributory Parent Visa Holders Sponsoring a Partner
Parent Visa Applicants - Administrative errors resulting in overcharge of the Migrant Health Services Charge (MHSC)
The Migrant Health Services Charge (MHSC) is governed by the Migration (Health Services) Charges Act 1991 and applies to any unfinalised visa application lodged prior to 1 May 1997. Applications lodged on or after 1 May 1997 are subject to a Visa Application Charge.
The MHSC is charged for each applicant (including children) included in the visa application and is indexed on 21 August each year. The visa applicant is required to pay the MHSC amount as at the date of the MHSC liability notification letter.
An administrative error has been discovered in the formula used for the indexation of the MHSC performed in 2006 and 2008. Clients who are affected are those who applied for a Parent (Subclass 103) visa or an Aged Parent (Subclass 804) visa prior to the 1 May 1997 and were notified of their MHSC on the dates below.
- Clients who were notified of their MHSC between 21 August 2006 and 20 August 2007, and paid a MHSC of $1194, are eligible for a repayment of $9
- Clients who were notified of their MHSC after 21 August 2008 and paid a MHSC of $1363 are eligible for a repayment of $99.
To claim a repayment, clients should submit a request in writing to:
The MHSC officer
Family and RRV Section
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
PO Box 25
Belconnen ACT 2616
They should provide contact details as well as details of the visa applicant(s) and, if possible, provide evidence of the MHSC payment. The MHSC Repayment Arrangements Form can be used by clients to authorise the payment of the repayment.
See: MHSC Repayment Arrangements Form (23KB PDF file)
If clients have any enquiries, they should contact the Family and RRV Section.
Telephone: 02 6264 1094
Email: DIAC.Family.Section@immi.gov.au