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Migration Amendment (Subclass 189 Visas—New Zealand Stream) Regulations 2022 -F2022L01623.
Migration Amendment (Subclass 189 Visas—New Zealand Stream) Regulations 2022 -F2022L01623amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to allow more efficient processing of on and permanent skilled visa applications for New Zealand citizens and their family members.
These amendments provide concessions to exempt New Zealand citizens. Applications made in the New Zealand stream by primary applicants, before the commencement of these amendments (on-hand applications), are not required the specific criteria relating to:
period of residence in Australia
minimum taxable income
health.
The only criteria to be met by primary applicants (and their family members) with on-hand applications are the existing common criteria for Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) visa which relate to public interest criteria such as character, security, and certain other matters
The effect of this amendment is that the criteria for Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) visa applications made in the New Zealand stream will revert to the previous (pre-10 December 2022)settings for new applications made on or after 1 July 2023 unless the Government decides to provide new beneficial arrangements for New Zealand citizens beforehand.
MIA note: It is not expected that any applications for this NZ stream would have been lodged that didn't already meet the criteria for residence, income or health as there was no warning that this closure would occur. However, in the event that a lodged application did not meet these criteria at the time of the decision, it appears that the application will not be refused on those grounds. This Instrument commenced on 10 December 2022.
Source: MIA