From 13 November 2021, people who have had a visa refused or cancelled while in Australia may be able to apply for certain skilled visas without having to leave Australia to apply offshore.
Previously, people who have had a visa refused or cancelled while in Australia, and who do not hold a substantive visa, could only apply for a limited number of visas while they remained in Australia (including Partner, Child, and Protection visas). However, the Australian government has recently announced legislative changes to allow these people to also apply for certain skilled visas while in Australia, including:
- Certain points-based visas (i.e. subclass 491 and 190 visas); and
- A regional employer sponsored visa (i.e. subclass 494 visa).
The above changes may mean that certain nurses and midwives who have had visas refused or cancelled in Australia can apply for another skilled visa to stay in Australia.
If you believe that the above may apply to you or you would like more information, you can contact the NSW Nurses and Midwives’ Association for a referral to Visa Assist. Visa Assist provides free and confidential immigration advice to union members.