Important Updates on Australian Visa Applications

Important Updates on Australian Visa  Applicationshttps://migrationalliance.com.au/immigration-daily-news/entry/2017-02-critical-updates-to-making-visa-applications-for-australia.html
Important Updates on Australian Visa Applications
February is usually a quiet month when it comes to migration, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection however, has made a number of very important changes to certain processes that may bring impact to present and prospective visa applicants, including those that already have a visa.
Those who are about to apply for, and those who have already applied for, an Australian visa, should get to know these changes and be able to discuss with a migration agent where appropriate, if any of these changes are going to have an impact on their primary immigration plans or strategy.
Prospective applicants: Approved forms

• Essential updates which state the approved forms, as well as the classes of applicants, and the place and manner for submitting an application for the following visas:
• Investor Retirement (Class UY) visa;
• Retirement (Temporary) (Class TQ) visa;
• Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Class GA) visa;
• Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa;
• Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa; and
• Training (Class GF) visa.

Amendments to cancellation powers for existing Visa Holders
The Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Act 2017 is an act to make amendments that are related to visa cancellation powers.
Working Holiday Visa Applicants: Changes to eligible countries – Vietnam
This makes it possible to make amendments to the Arrangements for Work and Holiday, and the Working Holiday visa applications2017 / 003 to indicate Vietnam as an eligible country, to enable passport holders of said nation to submit an application for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa, and also indicates for Vietnamese applicants the manner and place for making such an application for a Work and Holiday (Temporary) (Class US) visa, and indicate the qualifications for education that should be provided by a Vietnamese applicant at the time of their submitted application.
Changes to Schedule 1 on Visitor Visa Applications
For applicants of a Visitor (Class FA) visa, the new instrument indicates that the approved form, place and manner for making and submitting an application, as well as the travel agents that must be used by an applicant who has the intention to travel to Australia from the People’s Republic of China as a part of an organised tour.
Changes to Schedule 1 for Subclass 461 visa
This change is especially important as it makes amendments to the schedule 1 criteria (for example, the lodgement procedure). The new instrument also indicates new arrangements for visas such as the Other Family Visa Applications and the New Zealand (Family Relationship) Visa.
More information on criteria relevant to the grant on Subclass 408 visa
The new instrument now indicates matters on how to make an application for a Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa and a particular criteria that is relevant to the grant of the Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa.