EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
STATES AND TERRITORIES WITH ENGLISH LANGUAGE TRAINING ARRANGEMENTS
(REGULATIONS 134.222C(2)(a), 139.226(b), 863.226(b) and 882.225(b))
- This Instrument is made under Regulation 1.17 and paragraphs 134.222C(2)(a), 139.2226(b), 863.226(b), and 882.225(b) of the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Regulation 1.17 provides that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify matters required by individual provisions of the Regulations to be specified for the purposes of those provisions.
3. Paragraphs 134.222C(2)(a), 139.226(b), 863.226(b) and 882.225(b) enable a State or Territory to be specified by Gazette Notice as a State or Territory in which arrangements are established for suitable English language training.
4. The purpose of the Instrument is to include the Australian Capital Territory as an area in which English Language Concession arrangements operate for the Skilled Designated Area Sponsored subclasses (134, 139, 863 and 882) categories.
5. The Instrument provides for certain sponsored applicants in these visa categories to meet English language criteria, when they only have functional English, provided they undertake to upgrade their language skills to vocational English after arrival. There is no financial impact on DIMIA. The ACT Government will provide English language training to eligible migrants on a fee paying basis.
6. Consultation was undertaken with the Department of Economic Development, ACT Government.
7. The instrument commences on 21 December 2005.