The Migration Legislation Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Regulation 2016, which took effect on 19 April 2016, has made several key amendments to Australian migration laws.
Standard business sponsors of subclass 457 visas are obligated not to engage in discriminatory recruitment practices based on immigration status or citizenship of a person. The sponsor is required to declare in writing such non-engagement in discriminatory recruitment practices.
English language test is not required for Subclass 457 where it has been made a requisite for occupational licensing or registration.
A simplified student visa framework shall take effect on 1 July 2016. Under the new framework, student visa subclasses will be reduced to two: Subclass 500 (Student) and Subclass 590 (Student Guardian). Streamlined application and processing of student visas will be put into place, and new requirements will be introduced to strengthen the integrity of the programme.
Legislation available at: https://www.legislation.gov.au/Details/F2016L00523/