Here are some of the latest developments in Australian and New Zealand Immigration Law:
- Updates to NSW Health Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Arrivals
- Singapore Travel Bubble from 21 November
- Queensland Opening Business and Skilled Visa Program
- Visa Concessions for BNO Passport Holders and a New Pathway to PR
- New Qualification for Bricklayers Completing Skills Assessments
If you want to learn more about any of these changes, our firm and everything we offer, visit our website or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn or Twitter.
And of course, if you want to chat with us directly, we’d love to hear from you!
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Updates to NSW Health Guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Arrivals
As of 2 November 2021, NSW Health has provided updated guidelines for Fully Vaccinated Arrivals into Australia.
Prior to arriving in Australia, you must comply with the necessary pre-departure testing, complete a travel declaration, and provide a valid vaccination certificate.
Vaccination Requirements
For a traveller to qualify as ‘fully vaccinated’, the vaccination certificate must show the following:
- 2 doses at least 14 days apart of:
- AstraZeneca (Vaxzervria or Covishield)
- Pfizer/Biontech
- Moderna
- Sinovac
- Bharat
- Sinopharm
- Or one dose of:
- Johnson & Johnson.
It is important to note that a traveller will not be considered fully vaccinated unless at least 7 days have passed since the last dose of vaccine in a course of immunization. Additionally, all children aged under 12 years as demonstrated by their passport, count as fully vaccinated for travel purposes.
Post Arrival Testing
If you meet the requirements of vaccination and pre-departure testing, you are not required to quarantine or self-isolate and may leave the airport after clearing border control.
However, you are required to have a COVID-19 nose and throat PCR test:
- Within 24 hours of arriving in NSW
- On or after day 7 after arriving in NSW
It is also strongly recommended for children who are not fully vaccinated to take a test on day 12 after arriving in NSW.
Restrictions on entry to high-risk settings
Whilst there is no requirement to quarantine or self-isolate after entry to NSW, until a negative result from the day 7 test is received, fully vaccinated individuals must not go to any high-risk settings. These include:
- Aged care facilities
- Disability care facilities
- Healthcare facilities
- Correctional facilities
Further restrictions apply to children under 12 years of age who are not fully vaccinated. These children:
- Must not attend school or childcare until they have a negative result from their day 7
- Must not enter any other high-risk setting as listed above, for 14 days after arriving in NSW.
Please note, if the traveller does not meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated, current border restrictions apply and they are required to follow border processes such as seeking exemptions to travel, travelling within international passenger caps, and undertaking mandatory 14 days managed quarantine.
Singapore Travel Bubble
From 21 November 2021, Singaporean citizens who are considered fully vaccinated will be able to travel to Australia without seeking a travel exemption.
- Hold a valid Australian visa
- Be fully vaccinated with a completed dosage of a vaccine approved or recognised by the TGA
- Depart from Singapore and arrive in an Australian state or territory
- Provide proof of vaccination
- Present a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 3 days of departure (unless medically exempt)
Queensland Opening Business Visa and Skilled Visa Program
Migration Queensland has opened their migration program for 2021-2022 with Business Visa, and Skilled Visa streams.
Business Visa Program (SC188 & 888)
The Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) is a state-nominated, five-year provisional visa, which has a pathway to permanent residency through the subclass 888 visa.
This program is currently open in Queensland and will remain open until the quota has been fulfilled.
Please visit Migration Queensland for more information.
Skilled Visa Program (SC190 & 491)
The Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) is a 5-year provisional state nominated visa with a pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Regional visa (subclass 191) which opens on 16 November 2022.
The Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) is a permanent state-nominated visa for skilled workers. This is a competitive stream with high demand, and Migration Queensland advises that alternative migration options are considered.
Please visit Migration Queensland for more information.
Visa Concessions for BNO Passport Holders and New Pathway to PR
The Migration Regulations have been recently amended to provide BNO passport holders with the equivalent concessions as Hong Kong (HKSAR) Passport holders.
The amendments allow BNO passport holders who have held, or currently hold subclass 457, 482, and 485 visas, concessions to extend their visas to 8 July 2025, and provides a pathway to permanent residency through the Skilled Independent Visa- Hong Kong Stream (Subclass 189) and Skilled Regional Visa – Hong Kong Stream (Subclass 191).
If you think these concessions may apply to you, book an initial consultation on the Gilton Valeo website to discuss eligibility options.
New Qualification for Bricklayers Completing Skills Assessments
From 1 November 2021, Bricklayers who successfully apply for a Pathway 1 skills assessment will receive a Certificate III in Bricklaying and Blocklaying (CPC33020).
This will ensure that successful applicants will have the most up-to-date qualifications for their occupation.
Refer to this factsheet to learn more.
