The government has announced what it calls a “fairer user pays” approach to charging for visas. The cost of the sub class 820 partner visa has risen from $3,060 to $3,975, a hike of close to 30%. Rather than reflecting the actual cost of processing, as “user pays” would tend to suggest, the government argues that the sub class 820 visa is one of a number with “high levels of demand” and that therefore “we don’t expect demand to be adversely affected by these change.” In other words, it is a popular visa, so therefore the government can get away with hefty price hike.
Volunteers are always needed to so that GLITF is to be able to continue to provide ongoing assistance to its members.
If you would like to consider joining the Committee (the duties are not onerous) please come and sit in on a Committee Meeting when you next attend a GLITF meeting. The Committee Meetings are held at 4.00 pm, one hour before the start of the Sunday Meetings.
If GLITF does not have a Committee to run it, and to ensure that it complies with its legal obligations as an Incorporated Association in Victoria, it would need to cease operation to the great disadvantage of those of its members still seeking permanent residence in Australia, either for themselves or their partners, and of future same sex applicants in Victoria.
So come along to the next Committee meeting and meet the current committee members and sit in on the Meeting.
Australian Federal Police checks can now be applied for on line. For those with access to the internet and e-mail, and who can pay by credit card, there is now no need to use a paper application form. Instructions on how to apply are here. The online application is here