Skip to content

Visas, Immigration and Refugees

Specialist Entry

What's New for Specialist Entry Visas

Temporary residence visa reforms

From 14 September 2009, a new sponsorship framework has been introduced for a number of temporary residence visas with work rights. The changes aim to strengthen the integrity of the temporary residence visa program, while protecting the employment and training opportunities of local labour.
See:
Frequently Asked Questions – Migration Legislation Amendment (Worker Protection) Act 2008 (the Worker Protection Act)
Sponsorship Obligations and Sanctions ( 42KB PDF file)
Temporary Residence Visa Reforms ( 35KB PDF file)

Repeal of the Subclass 418 – Educational visa

From 14 September 2009, the Educational visa will no longer be available. Educational workers seeking to be employed in Australia on a temporary basis should consider applying for a Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) visa.
See: Temporary Business (Long Stay) – Standard Business Sponsorship (Subclass 457)

Applications lodged before 14 September 2009 will not be affected by the repeal of this visa and will continue to be processed by the ACT's Temporary Specialist Entry Processing Centre after 14 September 2009, unless a decision on the visa has already been made.
See: Educational Visa (Subclass 418)

Changes to processing location for 400 series visas

The department is consolidating visa and citizenship processing into dedicated centres around Australia. From 1 January 2009, new 400 series visa and sponsorship applications lodged in Australia will be processed in the department's Australian Capital Territory and Regions Office(ACTRO).

This applies to the following subclasses:

  • Exchange (subclass 411)
  • Foreign Government Agency (subclass 415)
  • Visiting Academic (subclass 419)
  • Sport (subclass 421)
  • Domestic Worker (Executive) (subclass 427)
  • Religious Worker (subclass 428)
  • Diplomat (subclass 995).

All new Media and Film Staff (subclass 423) visa and sponsorship applications lodged in Australia on or after 1 January 2009 will be processed in the Sydney Entertainment Processing Centre (SEPC).
See: Information on changes to processing location for subclass 400 series visas ( 85KB PDF file)

   

Related Information