October at Nomos
Though many of us are still in lockdown, at long last there is the alluring light of freedom on the horizon. Here’s a snapshot of October at Nomos:
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- As NSW hit the 80% vaccination mark, a great many businesses were finally allowed to open and recommence in-person operations. Restaurants, hairdressers, beauty salons, gyms, libraries, museums and many other venues have thrown open their doors to fully vaccinated individuals, and we have seen a gradual return to the office as well. All of this has been welcome news for many of our clients. Hopefully this trend of easing restrictions and economic lifeblood continues as we move towards rebuilding our state after several months in lockdown. With further freedoms becoming available on 1 December 2021, the future in NSW looks bright and sunny as we head towards summer, just in time to end the year on a really positive note.
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- On the national level, Australia’s border closure is slowly but surely coming to an end. October saw the introduction of a number of changes to the border closures, most recently with confirmation that from 1 November 2021, fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents will no longer need a travel exemption to leave Australia. Fully vaccinated returning Australian citizens and permanent residents arriving in NSW will also no longer be required to quarantine in hotels or at home. Another exciting change is the fact that parents of adult Australian citizens and permanent residents will be considered ‘immediate family members’ for the purpose of travel exemptions, thereby allowing many families to enjoy some long overdue family reunions. If you or someone you know might benefit from some advice regarding the changes to travel restrictions and exemptions, please contact us for assistance – the Department recently confirmed that over 14,000 applications for exemptions for parents have been received since the announcement was made, so get in quick to make sure you can reunite in time for the festive season!
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- Along with the above, we have seen the Department of Home Affairs also moving ahead with visa processing in anticipation of the return to our new normal. In October, we saw a number of TSS, Partner (both offshore and onshore) and ENS visa grants and many of our clients attended virtual citizenship ceremonies. It really does seem as though the Department is working towards its role in helping with Australia’s economic recovery, which is unsurprising given the comments made by the Joint Standing Committee on Migration’s Inquiry into Australia’s Skilled Migration Program in terms of the crucial role of skilled migrants in Australia’s economic recovery after the pandemic. Contact us to find out how we can help with visa options for your staff.
That’s the Nomos wrap-up for October. See you next month!
*This is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.
