Refugees in urgent need of resettlement will be supported by local community groups under a new pilot program aiming to guide and support new arrivals.
The Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot will enable community supporter groups to assist refugees to access accommodation, local orientation, education and government services.
The federal government will consider more resources for the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to stop fraud within the service.
False invoices, organised crime syndicates and overcharging for services are behind exploitation of the scheme, NDIS Minister Bill Shorten says, but further resourcing will help address the problem.
Senior executives at Qantas could trade their high-profile positions to work as ground handlers as part of a plan to combat labour shortages.
The embattled airline's chief operating officer Colin Hughes told staff in an internal memo they are seeking expressions of interest for a contingency program over a three-month period.
Visa changes from 1 July will offer skilled workers new pathways to permanent residency, more places for working holiday makers and the chance for graduates impacted by COVID-19 border closures to make up for their time locked out of Australia.
Ben Watt, a lawyer with migration agents VisaEnvoy, said the changes presented “exciting” prospects for some, with a focus on supporting the economic recovery from COVID-19.
Ukraine nationals seeking refuge in Australia have been offered new visa options to ensure short and long-term pathways stay open to those fleeing the Russian invasion.
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles announced the decision days before a temporary humanitarian visa scheme introduced by the Morrison government ends on 31 July.
