Useful Information For Reference

Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES)

Flood water is dangerous.  Call 132 500 for emergency assistance from VICSES.  Call Triple Zero (000) in life-threatening emergencies.

Flood (ses.vic.gov.au)

What you need to know about COVID-19 in Victoria

As you would already know, there have been recent changes to COVIDSafe settings and restrictions.  You can find updated information here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Victoria | Coronavirus Victoria

Check your visa expiry

With borders open, we are aware that a number in the diplomatic and consular community are returning to their home countries for visits or taking the opportunity to holiday in the region.  Just a friendly reminder to check your visa expiry date before travelling.  We have had a few recent cases where diplomatic visas have expired while officers or dependants are overseas and this has caused delays with their return.  The process to renew visas while a person is abroad is more complex, so it definitely pays to check your visa before travelling and request a renewal from us if the expiry date is nearing.

Applying for a visitor or student visa through the Department of Home Affairs

In anticipation of an increase in visa applications prior to Christmas and the 2023 academic year, the Australian Department of Home Affairs has prepared a website with tips to assist potential applicants with their application.  Visitor and student visas are being refused and finalisation delayed because applicants are submitting incorrect or incomplete information, such as names on applications not matching those on passports, and required documents not being included.  Home Affairs is keen to encourage non-Australian citizens residing in the Pacific Islands, New Zealand, India, China, South Africa, Fiji, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka and many European counties to ‘check twice – submit once’ when submitting visa applications.  Did you know the top 10 student visa source countries are: China, India, Nepal, Thailand, Colombia, Philippines, Pakistan, Brazil, Indonesia and Vietnam?