Migration Amendment (Subclass 202 Visas) Regulations 2022amends the Migration Regulation 1994 to enhance the operation of the Community Support Program (CSP), which allows community groups and individuals to propose and support applicants for entry to Australia under the Humanitarian Program by providing reductions on the VAC payable by primary applicant, completely removing the VAC payable by secondary applicants, and making assurance of support a discretionary requirement for secondary applicants.
The Instrument makes the following amendments:
- Reduction on the visa application charge (VAC) payable by primary applicants by approximately 60%, from $19,449 to $7,760.For primary applicants,
- The new first installment is $490 payable at the time of application and
- The second installment is $7,270 payable before the visa grant.
- Complete removal of the VAC payable by secondary applicants (family members), reducing it from $2,680 to nil.
- Making assurance of support a discretionary requirement for secondary applicants so that the requirement for an AoS can be limited to cases where the applicant is of working age, or close to working age, and may therefore be eligible to receive a social security payment that is recoverable from the relevant Australian supporters under the AoS.
The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 18 August 2022 and commenced on 19 August 2022. It is currently in force.
To access the Instrument, click here.
