Migration (Income Threshold and Exemptions for Subclass 189 Visa (New Zealand Stream)) Instrument (LIN 21/018) 2021 dated 13 May 2021 [“the Instrument”] inserts a new class of applicants who are exempted from the primary criterion of minimum amount of taxable income requirements for Skilled Independent (Subclass) 189 visa and outlines the evidence required for this purpose.
The Instrument sets outs the minimum amount of income for an income year for paragraph 189.233(1)(a) of Schedule 2 to the Migration Regulations 1994 (“the Regulations”)and the conditions in which an applicant will be exempted for subparagraph 189.233(1)(b)(i) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations. It specifies the minimum amount of taxable income for 2019-20 and 2020-21 year as AUD $53,900 to ensures that New Zealand citizen applicants who otherwise may have met but currently are unable to meet the income threshold requirements for the 2019-20 income year, as the economic consequences of COVID-19 pandemic, continue to maintain eligibility to apply for a Subclass 189 visa.
The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 19 May 2021 and commenced on 31 May 2021. It is currently in force and applies to visa applications made on or after 31 May 2021 and the applications made before 31 May 2021 but not finally decided.
To access the Instrument, click here.
