News reaches us of a surge in the number of parent visa applications lodged at the Parents Visa Centre in the last month.

The receipting of offshore visa applications (subclasses 143 and 173) is therefore taking longer than usual, and a delay in receiving the acknowledgment of delivery and a file reference of 4 to 6 weeks can be expected.

Onshore visa applications continue to be receipted quickly, as they must due to the need for the granting of Bridging Visas.

We anticipate the surge in the number of applications has been a result of concerns about a significant increase in the Visa Application Charges in the lead up to the Federal Budget, following the release of a Productivity Commission report last year.