Expected to take place from 1.7.2018 but exact details and dates are yet to be finalised. The proposed changes involve making the partner visa application a two-step process so that the sponsor would have to be approved before sponsoring the applicant. At the moment these steps are done together. This could potentially cause problems for visa applicants because they would not be entitled to a bridging visa while waiting for the partner sponsorship approval.
If you have any further questions, you can contact me by phone on 0435 814 004.
Martin Udall
Immigration lawyer
