The Migration Amendment (Charging for a Migration Outcome) Act 2015 came into effect today (30 Nov 2015).

payment The legislation introduces a new criminal and civil penalty regime that will make it unlawful for a person to ask for, receive, offer or provide payment or other benefits in return for a range of sponsorship-related events.

The Bill also allows visa cancellation to be considered where the visa holder has engaged ‘Payment for Visas’ conduct.

It will be a criminal offence for a sponsor or other third party to ask for or receive a benefit from a sponsorship related event and will be punishable by a maximum of 2 years imprisonment or a fine equivalent to $64,000 for an individual person or $324,000 for a body corporate.

Civil penalties applicable to the sponsor, visa applicant or other third party who received or provides or offers a benefit related to a sponsorship related offence will equate to $43,200 for an individual person or $216.000 for a body corporate.

A discretionary power to consider cancellation of visas where any person who engages in this conduct will also be introduced.

I acknowledge the assistance of the MIA for providing this information in their notice to members today.

Creative commons acknowledgment for the photograph.