Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2019L00932/Explanatory%20Statement/Text
Timestamp: 2020-07-07 19:16:31
Document Index: 588326273

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 1', 'art 202', 'art 86', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 86', 'art 86', 'art 2']

Issued by the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
The purpose of the Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) is to amend the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Migration Regulations) to make changes to visa application charges (VACs) for certain visas.
In particular, the Regulations amend the Migration Regulations to increase first instalment VACs for a number of visas. The Regulations increase the majority of VACs so that they are increased by the 2019-20 forecast consumer price index (CPI) of 2.25 per cent as published in the 2019 – 20 Budget Paper No. 1. The base application charge of first instalment VACs for all visa subclasses, with the exception of the Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, are also increased by 5.4 per cent in line with the one-off Visa Application Charge – uplift measure announced as part of the 2019-20 Budget. In effect, this means that the relevant VACs are increased by the cumulative total of the 2019-20 CPI increases and the additional uplift measure, rounded to the nearest $5.
The Office of Best Practice Regulation (the OBPR) has been consulted in relation to the amendments made by the Regulations. No Regulation Impact Statement is required. The OBPR consultation reference is 25219.
Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations commences on 1 July 2019 and Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations commences on 16 November 2019, immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019. Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations do not commence at all if the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019 do not commence.
· section 4, which imposes a visa application charge payable under section 45A of the Migration Act;
· section 5, which limits the visa application charge for most visas and provides the formula to calculate the charge limit for those visas for later financial years; and
· section 6, which limits the visa application charge for the Contributory Parent visa and provides the formula to calculate the charge limit for later financial years.
This Disallowable Legislative Instrument, titled the Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations) is compatible with the human rights and freedoms recognised or declared in the international instruments listed in section 3 of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011.
The Regulations make amendments to increase first instalment visa application charges (VACs) in accordance with the 2019-20 forecast consumer price index (CPI), as published in Budget Paper No.1 2019. The base visa application charge of first instalment VACs for all visa subclasses, with the exception of the Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, are also increased by 5.4 per cent in line with the one-off Visa Application Charge – uplift measure announced as part of the 2019-20 Budget. The amendments in Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations will come into effect on 1 July 2019 and the amendments in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations will come into effect on 16 November 2019. The adjusted VACs are within limits calculated under the Migration (Visa Application) Charge Act 1997.
The Hon. David Coleman MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs
Details of the Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2019
This section provides that the title of the Regulations is the Migration Amendment (Visa Application Charges) Regulations 2019 (the Regulations).
Table item 1 states that sections 1 to 4, and anything in this instrument not elsewhere covered by the table, commences on the day after this instrument is registered. Table item 2 states that Part 1 of Schedule 1 to this instrument commences on 1 July 2019. Table item 3 states that Part 2 of Schedule 1 to this instrument commences immediately after the commencement of Schedule 1 to the Migration Amendment (New Skilled Regional Visas) Regulations 2019 on 16 November 2019. However, the provisions in Part 2 of Schedule 1 to this instrument do not commence at all if that event does not occur. The following note clarifies that this table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.
The Regulations give effect to the Government’s decision, announced as part of the 2017-18 Budget to index visa application charges (VACs) in line with the forecast CPI published annually in the Budget. The base visa application charge of first instalment VACs for all visa subclasses, with the exception of the Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa, are also increased by 5.4% in line with the one-off Visa Application Charge – uplift measure announced as part of the 2019-20 Budget.
The amount of the increase in these items does not exceed the limits determined in the Migration (Visa Application) Charge Act 1997.
Part 1 – Amendments commencing 1 July 2019
Division 1 - Indexation of visa application charges
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Business Skills (Permanent) (Class EC) visa (Subclass 888 (Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent)) visa) as follows:
Items 7-12 – Subparagraph 1104B(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1 -3) and Subparagraph 1104B(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Additional applicant charge for an applicant who is at least18
Items 13-18 – Subparagraph 1108(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and Subparagraph 1108(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Child (Migrant) (Class AH) visa (Subclass 101 (Child) visa, Subclass 102 (Adoption) visa and Subclass 117 (Orphan Relative) visa) as follows:
Items 19-24 – Subparagraph 1108A(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and Subparagraph 1108A(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Child (Residence) (Class BT) visa (Subclass 802 (Child) visa and Subclass 837 (Orphan Relative) visa) as follows:
Items 25-27 – Subparagraph 1111(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 28-30 – Paragraph 1112(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 31-33 – Paragraph 1113(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 34-36 – Paragraph 1114B(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 37-39 – Paragraph 1114C(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 40-45 – Subparagraph 1118A(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1118A(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 46-51 – Subparagraph 1123A(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1123A(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Other Family (Migrant) (Class BO) visa (Subclass 114 (Aged Dependent Relative) visa, Subclass 115 (Remaining Relative) visa and Subclass 116 (Carer) visa) as follows:
Items 52-57 – Subparagraph 1123B(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1123B(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 58-60 – Paragraph 1124(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 61-63 – Paragraph 1124A(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Aged Parent (Residence) (Class BP) visa (Subclass 804 (Aged Parent) visa) as follows:
Items 64-81 – Subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(iii) (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(iv) (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(v) (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(vi) (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1124B(2)(a)(vii) (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Partner (Residence) (Class BS) visa (Subclass 801 (Partner) visa) as follows:
· for an applicant who is not the holder of a substantive visa and entered Australia before 19 December 1989 and, at the time of entry, was engaged to be married to a person who was an Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident, and has subsequently married that person, or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person:
Item 82 – Paragraph 1128(2)(a) of Schedule 1
This item amends the first instalment VAC for the Return (Residence) (Class BB) visa (Subclass 155 (Five Year Resident Return) visa and Subclass 157 (Three Month Resident Return) visa to increase the base application charge from $375 to $405.
Items 83-85 – Paragraph 1129(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Partner (Migrant) (Class BC) (Subclass 100 (Partner) visa). In the case of an applicant who is the holder of a Subclass 445 (Dependent Child) visa or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person, the amount is nil. For any other applicant:
Items 86 - 100 – Subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1- 3), subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(vi) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Contributory Parent (Migrant) (Class CA) Subclass 143 (Contributory Parent) visa as follows:
· for an applicant who is the holder of a Subclass 173 (Contributory Parent (Temporary)) visa at the time of application or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person:
· for any other applicant (other than an applicant to whom subparagraph 1130(2)(a)(v) applies):
Items 101-115 – Subparagraph 1130A(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130A(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130A(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130A(2)(a)(v) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1130A(2)(a)(vi) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 116-121 – Subparagraph 1136(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1136(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
· for an applicant who is the holder of a Skilled — Independent Regional (Provisional) (Class UX) visa; or a Skilled — Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) (Class UZ) visa; or a Subclass 475 (Skilled - Regional Sponsored) visa; or a Subclass 487 (Skilled - Regional Sponsored) visa; or a Skilled — Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (Class SP) visa; or a Bridging A (Class WA) or Bridging B (Class WB) visa granted on the basis of a valid application for a Skilled — Independent Regional (Class UX) visa; or a Bridging A (Class WA) or Bridging B (Class WB) visa granted on the basis of a valid application for a Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) visa (other than a Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) visa); or a Bridging A (Class WA) or Bridging B (Class WB) visa granted on the basis of a valid application for a Skilled — Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (Class SP) visa; or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person:
Items 122-124 – Subitem 1137(3) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 125-127 – Subitem 1137(4E) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 128-130 – Subitem 1137(4F) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Applicant who satisfies the primary criteria
Applicant who was at least 18 at the time of the application, and satisfies the secondary criteria
Applicant who was under 18 at the time of the application, and satisfies the secondary criteria
Items 131-133 – Paragraph 1138(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 134-148 – Subparagraph 1202B(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1202B(2)(a)(ia) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1202B(2)(a)(ib) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1202B(2)(a)(ic) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3), subparagraph 1202B(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
· for an applicant seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa in the Business Innovation Extension stream or the Significant Investor Extension stream or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person:
Items 149-151 – Paragraph 1211(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 152-154 – Paragraph 1212B(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 155-157 – Paragraph 1214A(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 158-160 – Paragraph 1214BA(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1- 3)
Items 161-163 – Paragraph 1215(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Prospective Marriage (Temporary) (Class TO) visa (Subclass 300 (Prospective Marriage) visa as follows:
Items 164-166 – Paragraph 1216(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-2)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Resident Return (Temporary) (Class TP) visa (Subclass 159 (Provisional Resident Return) visa as follows:
Items 167-169 – Paragraph 1217(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Retirement (Temporary) (Class TQ) (Subclass 410 (Retirement)) visa as follows:
Items 170-172 – Subparagraph 1221(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Class UT) visa (Subclass 173 (Contributory Parent (Temporary)) visa) as follows:
Items 173-175 – Subparagraph 1221A(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Contributory Parent (Temporary) (Class UU) visa (Subclass 884 (Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary)) visa) as follows:
Items 176-178 – Subparagraph 1222(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Item 179 – Paragraphs 1224A(2)(a) and 1225(2)(a) of Schedule 1
This item amends the first instalment VACs for the Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa (Subclass 462 (Work and Holiday) visa) and the Working Holiday (Temporary) (Class TZ) visa (Subclass 417 (Working Holiday) visa) to increase the base application charge from $450 to $485.
Items 180-182 – Paragraph 1228(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Skilled (Provisional) (Class VF) visa (Subclass 476 (Skilled – Recognised Graduate) visa) as follows:
Items 183-185 – Paragraph 1229(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Skilled (Provisional) (Class VC) visa (Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate visa) as follows:
Items 186-191 – Subparagraph 1230(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1230(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (Class SP) visa (Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa) as follows:
· for an applicant who holds a Skilled — Independent Regional (Provisional) (Class UX) visa or a Skilled — Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) (Class UZ) visa; or a Subclass 475 (Skilled - Regional Sponsored) visa; or a Subclass 487 (Skilled - Regional Sponsored) visa; or whose application is combined, or sought to be combined, with an application made by that person:
Items 192 – 195 – Subparagraph 1231(2)(a)(v) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3) and subparagraph 1234(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 192 and 193 amend the first instalment VACs for the Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Class GA) visa (Subclass 400 (Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist)) visa) (where payable) as follows:
Items 194 and 195 amend the first instalment VACs for the Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa (Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa) (where payable):
Items 196-198 – Subparagraphs 1236(2)(a)(i) and (ii) of Schedule 1 and paragraph 1236(2)(aa) of Schedule 1
· for an applicant who is in Australia at the time of application, increase the base application charge from $355 to $365; and
· for an applicant who is outside Australia at the time of application, increase the base application charge from $140 to $145; and
· in relation to an application for a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in the Frequent Traveller stream, increase the base application charge from $1 045 to $1 065.
Item 199 – Subparagraph 1237(2)(a)(iii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1 and 2)
Items 200 – 201 – Subparagraph 1237(2)(a)(iv) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
Items 202 – 203 – Paragraph 1238(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amends the first instalment VACs for the Training (Class GF) visa (Subclass 407 (Training) visa) as follows:
Items 204 – 207 – Subparagraph 1240(2)(a)(i) and subparagraph 1240(2)(a)(ii) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Temporary Skill Shortage (Class GK) (Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage)) visa as follows:
· for an applicant seeking to satisfy the criteria for the grant of a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream, an applicant whose application is combined with an application made by a person mentioned in sub-subparagraph (A) or an applicant seeking to satisfy the secondary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa who claims to be a member of the family unit of a person who holds a Subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) visa in the Short-term stream:
Item 208 – Paragraph 1302(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table item 1)
This item amends the first instalment VAC for the the Bridging B (Class WB) (Subclass 020 (Bridging B) visa) to increase the base application charge from $145 to $155.
Item 209 – Paragraph 1401(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table item 1)
This item amends the first instalment VAC for the Protection (Class XA) (Subclass 866 (Protection) visa) to increase the base application charge from $35 to $40.
Item 210 – Subparagraph 1402(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 (table item 1)
This item amends the first instalment VAC for the Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) (Subclass 202 (Global Special Humanitarian) visa) for an applicant whose application includes a proposal by an approved proposing organisation described in Part 202 of Schedule 2 to increase the base application charge from $2 740 to $2 955.
Division 2 — Application of amendments
Item 211 – In the appropriate position in Schedule 13
This item inserts new Part 86 in Schedule 13 to the Migration Regulations. New clause 8601 provides that the amendments made by Division 1 of Part 1 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations apply in relation to visa applications made on or after 1 July 2019.
Part 2 – Amendments commencing 16 November 2019
Division 1 – Indexation of visa application charges
Items 212 – 214 – Paragraph 1241(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (Class PS) (Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa) as follows:
Items 215 – 217 – Paragraph 1242(2)(a) of Schedule 1 (table items 1-3)
These items amend the first instalment VACs for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Class PE) (Subclass 494 (Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa) as follows:
Item 218 – At the end of Part 86 of Schedule 13
This item amends new Part 86 in Schedule 13 to the Migration Regulations by inserting new clause 8602. Clause 8602 provides that the amendments made by Division 1 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations apply in relation to visa applications made on or after 16 November 2019.