Each year the Department closes its online service channels on 30th June to enable legislative changes and system updates. This year the Department will be closing these channels earlier than in previous years. To avoid disruption, we strongly encourage you to lodge all applications by the close of business Friday 29th June 2018.

Related changes include:

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) / Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme (RSMS) visas:

· ENS / RSMS nomination and visa application forms will be updated to include some of the questions used to support applications for TSS visas.

· Dynamic Document Checklist functionality will be implemented for all ENS/RSMS application forms so that required documents displayed are relevant to the applicant’s circumstances.

· Some changes will be made to correspondence for ENS/RSMS applications.

· Applicants for TSS visas will be required to provide a good quality full-face view photograph with their application. Refer to the attached guide to uploading biometric facial images for more information.

· Applicants for TSS visas who are required to provide full biometrics will now automatically receive a letter requesting this as soon as their application is lodged (this will apply to certain visa applicants associated with Overseas Business Sponsors).

Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) visa:

· For all streams of the Temporary Work (International Relations) (subclass 403) visa, from 1 July the visa holder’s period of stay will commence upon entry into Australia, rather than on the date of grant

· A new visa stream will support the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade led ‘Pacific Labour Scheme’ (PLS) implementation. The new PLS stream will allow low and semi-skilled workers from Pacific island countries to work in certain industries in rural and regional Australia for up to three years.

· The existing Seasonal Worker Program stream will also change to facilitate a multi-year, multi-entry visa where supported by the Department of Jobs and Small Business.

Bridging Visa E:

· From 1 July, Bridging visa E (BVE) applications can be lodged online. The online form provides applicants with an easier and more efficient application process. It creates a platform for all applicants to view, check and edit their application online. To apply go to www.homeaffairs.gov.au/trav/visa-1/051.

Resident Return Visas:

· Eligible Special Category (subclass 444) visa, Transitional Permanent visa (T(p)V) (Class BF) and Refugee (subclass 200) visa holders can apply online for a Resident Return visa from 1 July.

Changes to lodgement arrangements for Family Stream visa applications

· On 1 July 2018, the Department is making changes to application lodgement arrangements for the following visa subclasses:

– Partner category visas (subclass 820, 801, 309, 100 & 300)

– Parent visas (subclass 804, 884, 864, 173, 143 & 103)

– Other Family visas (subclass 114, 115 & 116)

· For the abovementioned Partner category (including Prospective Marriage) visa subclasses, the changes will mandate online lodgement. Non-internet applications can only be lodged with prior written authorisation from the Department.

· For the abovementioned Parent visa subclasses, visa applicants must now send their completed paper applications by post or courier to a centralised location specified in Legislative Instrument IMMI 18/079.

· For the abovementioned Other Family visa subclasses, visa applicants must now send their completed paper applications by post or courier to a centralised location specified in Legislative Instrument IMMI 18/076.

· These changes will impact both onshore and offshore applications. For more information see relevant visa page on www.homeaffairs.gov.au.