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South Australia Webinair

South Australia Webinair – 24th September, 8pm (UK time)

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Webinair – Migration to South Australia

Cargil Migration & the South Australian Government  are hosting a Webinair on Tuesday 24th September, 2024 at 8pm (UK time).  This has been re-scheduled from Monday 9th September, 2024 at 8pm (UK time). 
 
This will be a chance for SA to provide information about the state, and their state nomination  program for Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 visas.  
 
The South Australia 2024/25 program year has seen their allocation increase to 3800, 3000 of which are 190 visa places.  
 
Trades and Construction occupations remains their highest priority, followed by Health, Education and Engineering.  
Over 400 occupations are available to offshore applicants and South Australia has a strong focus on offshore nominations for this program year.
If you interested in attending please get in touch. We can provide further details and  confirm your attendance. 
Freephone: 0800 772 0570
Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

Priority processing of Australian visas for Nurses & Teachers

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DHA changes visa processing priorities

The Australia Department of Home Affairs (DHA) have again changed their processing priorities.

In September 2020 , during the COVID pandemic, the DHA prioritised 44 occupations from the Skilled Migration occupation List (SMOL).  Amongst others. the  included healthcare workers such as Nurses. This was in place until 28 October 2022.

As reported below,  week the processing priorities for skilled visa applications of the DHA,  has now changed again.

‘Visas in three days’ for teachers and nurses who want to come to Australia

This includes a change to the order of priority where the number one priority is “Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation”.  With priority given to visa application where the primary applicant is outside Australia at the time of visa application.

The Healthcare or Teaching Occupations this relates to:

  • ANZSCO Sub-major Group 25 – Health Professionals
  • ANZSCO Minor Group 241 – School Teachers
  • ANZSCO Minor Group 411 – Health and Welfare Support Workers
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 1341 – Child Care Centre Managers
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2346 – Medical Scientists
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2721 – Counsellors
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2723 – Psychologists
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 2725 – Social Workers
  • ANZSCO Unit Group 3112 – Medical Technicians
  • ANZSCO occupations:
    • 134311 – School Principal
    • 42111 – Child Care Worker
    • 423111 – Aged or Disabled Carer
    • 423312 – Nursing Support Worker
    • 423313 – Personal Care Assistant

If you have any questions or would like to discuss how this affects you please Contact Us.

#Australia #visas #nurses #teachers

UPDATE: General Skilled Migration (GSM) program – August 2020

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All eyes on 6th October 2020 

Limited GSM nominations

As we advised in early July the GSM program remains pretty much closed. The DHA aren’t inviting many individuals to apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent visa, nor are the states/territories nominating many applicants for a Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa or the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa.

Where invites are being issued – these can vary by state/territory – they are focused on applicants who are in areas of critical skills and sectors and/or those already residing in Australia.

Australian Federal budget – 6th October 2020

It is however expected that the nomination limitations will change from the 6th October 2020. This is when the Australian government is due to release their budget. The budget will establish the number of visas applications available at both a national level – Subclass 189 visa – and for the states/territory programs – Subclass 190 & 491 visa. Once the states/territories are allocated with their visa caps we can expect confirmation of the occupations on their skilled occupation lists and other criteria applicants will need to meet.

Status of each State/Territory

An overview of the states/territories nomination status as of now is below:

ACT

“As you are all aware, the migration landscape is very different in 2020-21.  The Australian Government has directed the ACT to restrict nominations to Canberra residents with skills critical to supporting the ACT’s post pandemic economic recovery. An interim number of nomination places has been allocated until the Commonwealth Budget is announced on 6 October 2020.”

NEW SOUTH WALES

“NSW has been provided a limited number of interim nomination places for the 2020–21 financial year.

Because our nomination places are limited, we have made some temporary adjustments to our application process. These adjustments will be reviewed if more nomination places are provided to us later in the financial year.”

NORTHERN TERRITORY

“The Australian Government has not yet allocated nomination quotas to the states and territories for the 2020 to 2021 program year.

At this stage, onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) nomination applications and all Business Investment and Innovation Program nomination applications will continue to be accepted and assessed, but no nominations can be issued until the Northern Territory has been allocated quotas. Offshore GSM nomination applications remain closed. We will update as further information becomes available.”

QUEENSLAND

“BSMQ has been advised by the Department of Home Affairs (HA) that it will not be in a position to open the 2020/21 migration program on 1 July 2020. As a consequence, BSMQ’s business and skilled migration program will remain closed on 1 July 2020 until further notice.”

TASMANIA

“All new applications lodged after 1pm (AEST), Tuesday 25th August 2020 must meet the minimum requirements of their chosen nomination category and demonstrate that the applicant is critical to supporting Tasmania’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery.

This requirement will be reviewed after the Federal Budget in October when full details of the 2020-21 nomination allocations and requirements are announced by the Department of Home Affairs.”

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of skilled and business visa nomination places to the Government of South Australia up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.”

VICTORIA 

“The Commonwealth Department of Home Affairs has provided a limited number of visa nomination places to the Victorian Government up until the Federal Budget is delivered on 6 October 2020.

We are preparing to re-open with new policies and nomination criteria to support Victoria’s economic recovery and the public health response.”

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

“The Western Australian State Nominated Migration Program is currently suspended. WA Migration Services will not issue invitations to apply for State nomination during the suspension period.

WA Migration Services appreciates your patience and looks forward to progressing the State Nominated Migration Program as soon as possible.”

 

If you want to discuss how you are effected, your current visa application or your visa options going forward please Contact Us. 

  • Office: +44 (0)800772 0570
  • Mobile: + 44 (0)7710 649194
  • Email: mark@cargilmigration.com

 

Updated – Australian Skilled Occupation Lists (April 2018)

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Occupation lists change … again … 

2018 has already seen a number of changes to Australian immigration. Some of these were detailed in our most recent post.

Following on from these changes, last week the Northern Territory have updated the occupations that they will consider nominating for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) Visa or the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 489) Visa.

If you would like to look at whether you may be eligible for a General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa, be a state or territory nominated visa – such as the Subclass 190 or Subclass 489 visa – or the Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa please check out the list below.

Skilled Occupations – April 2018

If you would like a detailed assessment of your Australian visa options, please  CONTACT US .

Australian immigration changes – new visas and their impact on Australian immigration

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The Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482), the effect on GSM visas and the Global Talent Visa scheme

A lot has been happening in Australian immigration in 2018. It has started with the skilled list for the Subclass 189 being amended. Some of the states & territories followed and their Subclass 190 & 489 visas have consequently been effected.

Most significant of all is that as fo 18th March, 2018 the Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visa has been replaced by the  Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visa (Subclass 482).

The changes and differences between the Subclass 457 & Subclass 482 are significant. We wont attempt to address them all here but will highlight some key points and how these changes may effect your plans and reinforce the importance of the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa program.

GSM Visa program

The GSM program has remained intact. It significance is shown by the figures below:

  1.  Subclass 189: 176 occupations remain eligible for this visa
  2. Subclass 190: 416 skilled occupations remain eligible for this visa program
  3.  Subclass 489:
    • 475 skilled occupations remain eligible for the State Territory nominated 489 visa program OR
    • 176 occupations remain eligible for the Family Nominated 489 visa programme

Temporary Employer sponsored visas – new Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) 

As mentioned the temporary Employer Sponsored visa (Subclass 457) has been replaced by the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482).

Whilst the Subclass 457 could be granted up to 4 years, the Subclass 482 visas can vary:

  1. Short term – up to 2 years if the occupation is on Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
  2. Medium term – up to 4 years if on Medium Long Term Skilled Shortages List (MLTSSL) and a new Regional Occupation List (ROL)
  3. Labour Agreement Stream – this is where an employer has negotiated visa arrangements with the Department of Home Affairs (formerly the DIBP Department of Immigration & B0order Patrol).

Applicant requirements:

  • Work experience – Applicants must have a minimum of 2 years
  • English Language – Applicants must meet minimum english language requirements. e.g For an IELTS test they must score 5 overall, but have a minimum score of at least 4.5 on each component
  • Police clearances – Mandatory police clearances.

Sponsor/Employers:

  • Labour-market testing is required (e.g prescribed advertising standards must be met by the employer)
  • Applicant must be nominated in one of the 509 skilled occupations, unless the negotiated Labour Agreement allows otherwise.

Transitional arrangements – Individuals who are already in Australia on a Subclass 457 visa and need to renew this visa or apply for another visa (such as the Subclass 482 or a permanent visa – see below) will need to check with their employer or Migration Agent what their options are. 

Permanent Employer Sponsored visa – Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa & Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS) Subclass 187 visa

  • Applicants must be under 45
  • Applicants must have worked in Australia for 3 years (it was 2 years) on a 457 visa or 482 visa OR have undertaken a skills assessment under the Direct Entry Scheme
  • Applicants must have at least 3 years work experience
  • Applicants occupation must be on the:
    • MLTSSL for Subclass 186 visas (208 occupations)
    • MLTSSL or ROL list for Subclass 187 (673 occupations)

What are the key takeaways about these changes?

  •  It is more difficult to obtain a visa for Australia under both employer nomination schemes –  temporary and permanent residence. e.g Labour Market testing is required for almost all applications under the TSS visa. This wasn’t the case previously.
  • Students hoping to transfer onto an employer sponsored visa must have at least 2 years experience in the occupation for a temporary visa, or 3 years for a permanent employer visa.
  • Skilled applicants wanting to obtain permanent residency need to be under 45 years – unless some very limited exemptions are met.
  • If an applicant or their spouse is eligible for a GSM visa – 189/190/489 – then it is likely to be their best long term option to migrate to Australia permanently

Final comments

These changes have been a long time coming and even before the details were laid out, they have been widely criticised by the business community. They see this as as a significant disadvantage to recruiting, employing and incentivising skilled migrants to fill positions in Australia.

With this is mind, employers will be forced to look closer at the Australia employment market to fill their workforce needs. This will advantage applicants who hold a GSM visa or intend to apply for a GSM visa.

Global Talent Scheme 

In addition to the above there will be further changes to the Australian immigration program. The Department of Home Affairs have flagged a new scheme known as the Global Talent Scheme. This is a  pilot programme aimed at attracting high-income employees and tech specialists.  It is hoped it will alleviate some of the concerns from employers in Australia that they will miss out of skills need to grow their business due to the restrictions in the new Subclass 482 visa.

It will allow eligible established business and start-up companies seeking talent in STEM fields like biomedicine and agricultural technology to sponsor foreign nationals on a temporary residency basis, as well as offering a pathway to permanent residency. The scheme is due to commence on 1st July. As details emerge we will release them here.

 

If you would like to discuss your options – whether you would be eligible –  then please  Contact Us.

 

Engineers Australia – skills assessment update

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Engineers Australia (EA) have announced a number of changes and updates recently. The below summarises these.

English Language tests – PTE Academic 

From November 1st, 2017 skills assessment applicants can use PTE Academic test results to evidence their english language ability. Until this date only IELTS exams are accepted.

The minimum requirement for an applicant who undertakes the PTE Academic test is a score of 50 in each of the 4 modules – Listening, Writing, Reading and Speaking.

Washington Accord addition – another country added  

Pakistan has been added to the list of approved countries under the Washington Accord. This means that qualifications completed from 2017 onwards will be accepted by Engineers Australia.

This brings the number of signatory countries to the Washington Accord to 19. These include:

* Australia * Canada * China * Chinese Taipei * Hong Kong * India *  Ireland * Japan * Korea * Malaysia * New Zealand * Russia * Singapore *  South Africa * Sri Lanka * Turkey * United States * United Kingdom * Pakistan

Skilled Migration

Engineering Registration Overseas 

If an applicant for a skills Assessment has been practicing in a country where Engineering is a regulated profession, such as Pakistan or the Philippines, they  must include evidence of registration in the application.

Processing Times 

The current waiting times skills assessments applications are:

  • Australian Qualifications And Accords Qualifications Assessment: 6 weeks
  • Australian Qualifications And Accords Qualifications Assessment with Fast Track: 15 working days
  • Competency Demonstration Report: 6 weeks
  • Competency Demonstration Report with Fast Track: 15 working days

If you have any questions about how this effects you eligibility and your visa options please Contact Us.

Queensland GSM state nomination – occupations removed

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Removal of occupations for Queensland

Queensland have recently announced the removal of a number of occupations from their State nomination lists. These occupations, in addition to 233914 Engineering Technologists which was removed in early August,  have been removed due to the high numbers of Expression of Interest (EOI) lodged.

The removed occupations are:

  • 221111 Accountant (general)
  • 261311 Analyst Programmer
  • 263111 Computer Network & Systems Engineer
  • 262111 Database Administrator
  • 261312 Developer Programmer
  • 261111 ICT Business Analyst
  • 313112 ICT Customer Support Officer
  • 263211 ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
  • 262112 ICT Security Specialist
  • 263212 ICT Support Engineer
  • 263213 ICT Systems Test Engineer
  • 261313 Software Engineer
  • 261314 Software Tester
  • 262113 Systems Administrator
  • 261112 Systems Analyst
  • 313113 Web Administrator
  • 312111 Architectural Draftsperson
  • 611211 Insurance Agent
  • 232511 Interior Designer
  • 221112 Management Acct
  • 233512 Mechanical Engineer
  • 225311 Public Relations Professional
  • 251511 Hospital Pharmacists
  • 251513 Retail Pharmacist

If these changes effect your visa options, and you want to discuss what other opportunities there may be please Contact Us.

Australian skilled migration overview

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Australian skilled migration overview

Migration is a part of life in every nation: people are consistently looking for something new and want to have different cultural experiences, and the opportunity to  share their knowledge and skills.

Australia is considered to be a land of unpredictable and wonderful nature, as well as a great place for job opportunities in a number of industries and professions. It is known as “the Land Down Under”. It annually attracts hundreds of thousands of people from all over the world, a significant number who want stay permanently.

In order to stay permanently applicants need to stay on top of the visa requirements and legislation. Immigration legislation is always changing and not everyone can get a visa for the Great Southern Land. Applicants primarily need to have the right education and job skills.

There are two predominant ways of getting a visa for Australia.

To apply for a Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa under the General Skilled Migration Visa program, applicants need to review the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and confirm if their occupation is available for nomination. There is also a points test, based on a number of different factors.

If you are not eligible for a Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa then you can look at alternate GSM visas. These visas are state or territory nominated visas. They include both a permanent residency option – Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa – and a temporary residency option – Skilled regional (Subclass 489) visa. You will need to confirm if your occupation is on the the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the  Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). You will then need to to check if a state or territory will nominate your occupation, and whether you fir that criteria.

If an applicant is not eligible for a GSM visa, they can look at employer sponsored visa opportunities. Applicants who are offered a job in Australia may be eligible for either a temporary or permanent residency employer sponsored visa. The most common employer sponsored visas are the Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visa and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (Subclass 186) visa.

A job offer can also assist with a GSM visa. Either, by being able to claim additional points for skilled employment experience in Australia, or to be eligible to be nominated for a state  or territory visa such as the Subclass 190 or Subclass 489.

In practical terms, if you are skilled professional and are specific in where you want to live e.g. Architect Jobs in Brisbane, you may find a genuine opportunity that you are eligible for. With a willing employer offering you a job, you may initially be sponsored for a Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visa. Which may may then lead on to the permanent employer  sponsored  Subclass 186 visa, or a GSM option.

There are various employment websites that can help you find job in Australia, either before you migrate or once you have your visa. Rulla.com is one of those. Non Australian residents, as well as Australian visa holders, can look at websites such as Rulla to see if there are employment opportunities in the field and location that they desire.

If you can determine on the basis of your skills and education what visa you are eligible for, and where you want to do it, this will help you create the life you want in Australia.

VETASSESS – Skills assessment changes as of 1st August, 2017

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PRIORITY PROCESSING 

As of August 1st, 2017  VETASSESS will introduce a priority processing service for General Professional occupation applicants.

Applicants will be able to have their application fast tracked for an additional fee. The expected processing time will be 10 days. Full details will be provided on 1st August, 2017.

 ASSESSMENT FEE INCREASE

A number of fee increases have been announced for VETASSSES services. For the majority of applicants, the most notable increase is in the Full Skills Assessment for GSM applicants. The fees increases are as below:

  • Online (offshore) applicants: $810 AUD to $880 AUD – if you are onshore 10% GST applies.
  • Paper based (offshore) applications: $870 AUD to $945 AUD – if you are onshore 10% GST applies.

If you would like to discuss how the changes effect your application please get in touch.

We will clarify the priority processing changes when released next week.

Northern Territory – skilled nomination visas re-open

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Northern Territory: Re-opened for skilled nomination

As announced last month the Northern Territory have re-opened their skilled nomination visas from July 1st, 2017.

Eligible Occupations – NT Skilled visas

Applicants can seek to be nominated for either a Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa or Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 489) visa if they meet the NT nomination criteria. The nomination criteria includes meeting the points test for a GSM visa, but also with having an eligible occupation on the NT list.

There have been some changes from the NT’s 2016-2017 occupation list. It is important to confirm that if you were eligible previously, that you may still be now.

Live in the NT

The eligible occupations for  NT nomination are detailed below.

ANZSCOOCCUPATION
232111Architect
252711Audiologist
272111Careers Counsellor
351311Chef
233211Civil Engineer
272311Clinical Psychologist
212411Copywriter
132111Corporate Services Manager
272199Counsellors (nec)
321212Diesel Motor Mechanic
272112Drug & Alcohol Counsellor
241111Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher
272312Educational Psychologist
233311Electrical Engineer
233411Electronics Engineer
272113Family & Marriage Counsellor
253111General Practitioner
233212Geotechnical Engineer
232411Graphic Designer
391111Hairdresser
232412Illustrator
233511Industrial Engineer
212419Journalist & other writers (nec)
232112Landscape Architect
233512Mechanical Engineer
251211Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
251212Medical Radiation Therapist
321211Motor Mechanic (General)
312113Motorcycle Mechanic
212412Newspaper or Periodical Editor
251213Nuclear Medicine Technologist
254311Nurse Manager
254411Nurse Practitioner
134212Nursing Clinical Director
252411Occupational Therapist
251411Optometrist
272313Organisational Psychologist
251412Orthopist
252511Physiotherapist
134213Primary Health Organisation Manager
212413Print Journalist
272399Psychologists (nec)
225311Public Relations Professional
233213Quantity Surveyor
272612Recreation Officer
254412Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
254413Registered Nurse (Child & Family Health)
254414Registered Nurse (Community Health)
254415Registered Nurse (Critical Care & Emergency)
254416Registered Nurse (Developmental Disability)
254417Registered Nurse (Disability & Rehabilitation)
254421Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
254418Registered Nurse (Medical)
254422Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
254425Registered Nurse (Paediatrics)
254423Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
254424Registered Nurse (Surgical)
254499Registered Nurses (nec)
272114Rehabilitation Counsellor
253112Resident Medical Officer
251513Retail Pharmacist
321214Small Engine Mechanic
272499Social Professionals (nec)
272511Social Worker
271311Solicitor
251214Sonographer
252712Speech Pathologist
233214Structural Engineer
272115Student Counsellor
212415Technical Writer
212416Television Journalist
233215Transport Engineer
232414Web Designer
134214Welfare Centre Manager
272613Welfare Worker

Are you eligible?

If you would like to discuss whether you are eligible for NT nomination please Contact Us.