SYDNEY, NSW – 30 May 2014 at 3:40pm
The Migration institute of Australia issued an announcement that Friday 30 was the last day to lodge applications for those that are scheduled to be removed before the new financial year.
The MIA press release said . “The legislation to repeal the visas was signed off by the governor general yesterday and will come into effect on Monday, which means that applications must be validly lodged today: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L00622”
“It was done in a very secretive way, no doubt to stem any sort of deluge of applications. I feel sorry for the hundreds or possibly thousands of applicants that have missed out.” MIA said.
MIA added, “In their defence, DIBP will say that they notified MA, the MIA and the public on their web site. But to continue to say that “the date of cessation will be announced shortly” (yes, it is still there if you check the website eg http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/116.aspx) shows a lack of customer service, fair and reasonableness and compassion. It goes against their motto “people our business”.
DIBP stands for Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
MIA quoted a migration agent who would like to remain anonymous:
“If they [DIBP] were really thinking of the people whose avenue to migration has now been closed, then they should have announced the date as soon as they knew what the date was. It is inconceivable that the senior management only “just knew” what it was. I’m very disappointed with how the department has acted.”
Migration Alliance Inc is the Peak Professional Association for Australian Registered Migration Agents. Migration Alliance has over 4000 migration agent members and 12,000 total members including migrants, students and sponsors.