Hourigan Visa & Migration Services

26/01/2024

31/08/2023

Should you need advice, please contact John Hourigan

Are you or someone you know a holder of a Pandemic Event visa?

As of 2 September, only existing Pandemic Event visa holders will be eligible for a further visa. This is part of a staged closure.

If you currently hold this visa you may be able to apply for a subsequent visa until it is fully closed on 1 February 2024.

Find out more: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1114

06/02/2022

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-06/return-of-international-tourists-very-close/100808502

International tourists could return to Australia in the coming weeks, with Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews describing the decision as imminent, pending final health advice.

22/08/2021

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-23/new-working-visa-for-farms-begins-next-month-permanent-residence/100398052

The visa, which could provide a pathway to permanent residency, had been opposed by some Liberals, so its confirmation is considered a major victory for the Nationals in support of farming, fisheries, forestry and meat processing.

15/10/2020

From Friday, 16 October 2020, you can travel from New Zealand to Australia, quarantine-free, if:
you have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more and not been in a designated hotspot, and
you are travelling to Australia on an quarantine-free flight.
You do not need to be a New Zealand citizen to travel to Australia quarantine-free if you meet the above criteria, but you will need a valid visa to enter Australia. New Zealand citizens do not need to apply for a visa before coming to Australia. If eligible, they will be granted a Special Category visa (subclass 444) (SCV) on arrival.
A quarantine-free flight only carries passengers who have declared they have been in New Zealand for 14 days or more and have not been in a COVID hotspot in New Zealand in the last 14 days before travel. Quarantine-free flights will be determined by your airline.
Quarantine-free travel from New Zealand will initially be to New South Wales and the Northern Territory only. Other states and territories may be added at a later date. The safe travel zone does not apply to New Zealand citizens who are outside New Zealand or who have not been in New Zealand for the last 14 days or more.

19/03/2020

As of 9:00PM tonight only Australian citizens, permanent residents, New Zealand citizens who are normally resident in Australia and immediate family member of an Australian citizen and permanent residents will be permitted to travel to Australia. An immediate family member is defined as a spouse, dependent or legal guardian.

30/10/2019

https://www.abc.net.au/news/rural/2019-10-30/federal-court-rules-backpacker-tax-invalid/11653928

An estimated 75,000 backpackers could be back-paid hundreds of millions of dollars after the Federal Court ruled the so-called backpacker tax invalid.

27/10/2019

Perth & Gold Coast now regional Australia - regional visas program increased from 23,000 to 25,000 places - more details will be forthcoming

The maximum number of migrants able to move to regional Australia under a successful new scheme will be lifted to 25,000. When the regional migration program...

06/02/2019

bizarre

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has denied losing a vote on a "stupid bill" relating to refugees could push his government into a constitutional crisis.