Australia will now be able to cancel and refuse visas, and kick visitors out if they have been convicted of domestic violence. 

The new law came into force last Thursday as Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman issued a Ministerial Direction to visa decision-makers under section 499 of the Migration Act 1958. 

“If you’ve been convicted of a violent crime against women or children, you are not welcome,” Immigration Minister David Coleman said. 

“Wherever the offence occurred, whatever the sentence- Australia has no tolerance for domestic violence perpetrators,” Mr Coleman added. 

Decision-makers in the Department of Home Affairs or Administrative Appeals Tribunal members now must consider all crimes against women and children as serious and abhorrent crimes, regardless of the length of the sentence. 

Department of Home Affairs said that individuals under consideration should generally expect to be denied from entering Australia, or be forfeited of the privilege of staying in Australia. 

This builds on the existing legislation for visitor visas to be cancelled if the holder has been sentenced to jail 12 months or more. 

“While current provisions have been effective, these changes will further strengthen the law and make a very clear statement that Australia regards crimes against women and children as particularly abhorrent,” Mr Coleman said.