By Australian Skilled Migration

03/29/2017 The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has introduced changes to all new applications for sponsors of Partner and Prospective Marriage visas. These changes are as a result of the Australian government’s commitment to reducing violence in the Australian community, including family and sexual violence.
As part of this commitment, DIBP will ask sponsors of Partner visa/Prospective Marriage visa applications, to provide Australian and/or foreign police checks and to disclose convictions for certain offences to the visa applicant(s).
Relevant offences committed, either in Australia or overseas, involving the following must be disclosed to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection upon application of a Partner or Prospective Marriage visa:

• violence, including murder, assault, sexual assault and the threat of violence
• harassment, molestation, intimidation or stalking
• the breach of an apprehended violence order, or a similar order
• firearms or other dangerous weapons
• people smuggling
• human trafficking, slavery or slavery-like practices (including forced marriage), kidnapping or unlawful confinement
• attempting to commit any of these offences
• aiding, abetting, counselling or procuring such offences.

Convictions for relevant offences that have been quashed or pardoned will not affect your Partner or Prospective Marriage Visa application.
The changes only apply to cases where the visa application is made on or after 18 November 2016. If your partner lodged his/her application before 18 November 2016, the new requirements will not apply to you.
Don’t be fooled, your application may ask for permission to disclose any convictions. However, if permission is not given, your application cannot be approved!
If you feel you may be a victim of family violence, help is available.
Website: https://www.1800respect.org.au/
24 HOUR Phone: 1800 737732 (1800 RESPECT)
If you require further information about the Partner or Prospective Marriage visas, or think these changes may effect you, please speak with one of our friendly Registered Migration Agents.
For more information on Partner and Prospective Marriage visas
[Click Here]