IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT

The Migration Queensland (MQ) Program will open on 16 August 2022 with Queensland’s new nomination criteria and factsheets published on the MQ website: https://migration.qld.gov.au/

Skilled Migration Program:

Migration Queensland will only accept a brand new EOI submitted on Skillselect from 16 August 2022, updating existing EOIs submitted prior to 16 August 2022 will not be invited. Please ensure you have carefully read and understood the new criteria relevant to your stream or pathway, and that you meet the criteria before submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI).

This 2022-23 financial year Skilled Migration Program will be open to both onshore and offshore applicants, and provide pathways for skilled workers, graduates, and small business owners.

Business Migration Program:

The business program will continue to be open to 188 – Business Innovation stream, the 188 – Investor stream and the 188 – Significant Investor stream. From tomorrow, 16 August 2022, the new 188 – Entrepreneur stream will also open.

Please note: Queensland State nomination is a highly competitive program; not everyone will be invited for nomination. Please ensure you consult with a Registered Migration Agent/Lawyer to explore all alternative migration options. Send us an email to know more.

Coming into the year 2022, Australia is looking to increase its migration to recover from the economic effects of COVID-19. Travel bans and locked borders have affected migration not just in Australia, but all over the world - and Australia is looking back to recover this year.

Below are some of the updates that SBS News has posted on Australian Visas that were implemented to help migrants. Click here to go to their article for more information.

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Australia opens borders to certain visa holders

As of 15 December 2021, Australian citizens, permanent residents, international students, and certain skilled visa holders can now enter Australia.

PR for skilled migrants in health and hospitality

To help in recovery efforts, the government has announced that certain skilled migrants, especially in the health and hospitality sector, who have worked and stayed in Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible for permanent residency.

PR for Hong Kong nationals

Starting March 2022, there will be two new visa streams to a permanent residency for Hong Kong nationals who are based in Australia. Announced back in November 2021, these are subclass 189 (Hong Kong Skilled Independent Stream) and subclass 191 (Hong Kong Regional Stream). This is part of Australia's effort in strengthening ties with Hong Kong, and these two new visa streams will open on 5 March 2022.

For more news and updates on this, you can visit SBS News' article below.

Source: SBS News - Australian visa changes 2022: The opportunities for migrants this year

Amidst China’s crackdown on rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, 5-year visa extensions have been proposed for Hongkongers that are temporary residents in Australia.

In a press conference, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the government will be adjusting policy to enable Hong Kong citizens who are currently in Australia on temporary visas to be granted 5-year extensions. They also plan to create a pathway to permanent residency for Hong Kong citizens still in Australia at the end of those 5 years.

Current and future Hongkonger students may be able to stay for a total of five years after graduation, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period. All other Hongkongers on temporary visas are likely to have their visas extended by five years from today, again with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of those five years.

There are currently 8200 students, 570 temporary skilled migrants and 900 graduate visa holders in Australia, and many more Hongkongers holding Australian visas overseas. Those who already have an Australian visa but are outside the country will also be eligible for the proposed extension.

Whilst this is generally great news for Hongkongers, it does not appear that permanent residency will be the end result for all. Scott Morrison has stated that the grant of permanent visas will be “subject to meeting an updated skills list and appropriate market testing.” The humanitarian visa option will still be available, however there will not be a Hong Kong specific stream and it is unclear whether all citizens of Hong Kong will meet the requirements.

During the press conference, the Prime Minister also announced a plan to attract Hong Kong businesses to relocate to Australia, with staff being provided opportunities for resettlement under the humanitarian visa program. In addition, visa applicants from Hong Kong that have expressed interest in Australia’s talent and business innovation programs will be prioritised to come to Australia.

The Prime Minister has not provided a time frame in terms of policy implementation, however we are likely to be provided with updates in the coming weeks. For Hong Kong citizens that hold temporary visas nearing expiry, we recommend book a consultation to discuss interim visa options.

Summary of Special visa arrangements for Hong Kong

Students

• Current and future students from Hong Kong will be eligible for a five year temporary graduate visa on the successful conclusion of their studies, with a pathway to permanent residency after five years.
• Former students already on a temporary graduate visa will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
• Students who study at a regional campus will continue to be able to access a pathway to permanent residency after three years.

Temporary skilled visas

• Current temporary skilled visa holders from Hong Kong will be eligible for an extension of five years from today in addition to the time they’ve already been in Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency at the end of that period.
• Future Hong Kong applicants for temporary skilled visas will be eligible for a five year visa, provided they:
  • meet occupational skills lists and Labour Market Testing requirements; or
  • qualify through the Global Talent temporary visa scheme, which is for exceptional talent where the sponsoring employer pays above the Fair Work High Income Threshold of $153,600.
• These future temporary skilled visa holders will also have a pathway to permanent residency after five years.

There are almost 10,000 existing temporary skilled, temporary graduate and student visa holders in Australia who will be eligible for these special arrangements, with a further 2,500 outside Australia and 1,250 applications on hand.

Attracting the best and brightest

• The Government will bolster efforts to attract Hong Kong’s best and brightest through the Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment Programs, both part of the permanent migration program.
• These programs will be prioritised and a dedicated Global Talent officer will focus on facilitating the Hong Kong caseload.
• To support future applications we will re-open our visa application centre in Hong Kong which shut down during COVID-19.

Attracting businesses

• New incentives will be developed to attract export-oriented Hong Kong based businesses to relocate to Australia. As well as economic incentives, there will be permanent visa pathways available for all critical Hong Kong based staff of the relocated business. The government will particularly target businesses that presently operate their regional headquarters out of Hong Kong who may be looking to relocate to a democratic country.

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澳大利亚宣布对在澳香港居民的签证延长

在中国打击香港的权利和自由的同时，澳大利亚将在澳香港居民临时签证的期限延长5年。

澳大利亚总理斯科特·莫里森在新闻发布会上宣布，政府将调整政策，使目前持澳大利亚临时签证的香港公民可获五年延长。澳大利亚还计划在那五年结束时为仍在澳大利亚的香港公民创造永久居留权的途径。

现在和将来的香港学生毕业后总共可以居住五年，在这五年结束后可以申请永久居留。所有其他持有临时签证的香港人很可能将从今天起将签证延期五年，并且在这五年结束之时再次获得永久居留权。

目前，澳大利亚有8200名学生，570名临时技术移民和900名研究生签证持有人，还有更多在海外持有澳大利亚签证的香港人。那些已经拥有澳大利亚签证但在国外的香港人也将有资格获得签证延长。

虽然这对香港人来说是个好消息，但似乎永久居留并不是所有人的最终结果。斯科特·莫里森（Scott Morrison）表示，永久签证的授予将“取决于满足最新的技能列表和劳动力市场测试的要求”。人道主义签证选项仍然可用，但是将不会有针对香港的特定细类，目前尚不清楚是否所有香港公民都能符合要求。

在新闻发布会上，总理还宣布了一项计划，以吸引香港企业迁往澳大利亚，并根据人道主义签证计划为工作人员提供重新安置的机会。此外，对澳大利亚的人才和业务创新计划表现出兴趣的香港签证申请人将被优先考虑到澳大利亚。

总理尚未提供政策实施的时间表，但是我们可能会在未来几周内收到最新消息。对于持有即将到期的临时签证的香港公民，我们建议您进行咨询以讨论临时签证的选择。

香港特别签证安排摘要

学生

• 香港目前和将来的学生在成功完成学业后将有资格获得为期五年的临时毕业生签证，并在五年后获得永久居留权。     
• 已经获得临时毕业生签证的毕业生将有资格从今天起延长五年，除了他们已经在澳大利亚的时间以外，还可以在此期间结束后获得永久居留权。   
• 在偏远地区校园学习三年的学生将能够继续获得永久居留权。     

临时技术签证

• 目前，来自香港的临时技术签证持有人除了已经在澳大利亚的时间外，还将有资格从今天起延长五年，并在此期间结束后获得永久居留权。   
• 未来的香港临时技术签证申请人将有资格获得五年签证，条件是：   
  • 符合职业技能清单和劳动力市场测试要求；或者  
  • 通过全球人才临时签证计划获得资格，该计划适用于杰出雇主，如果其雇主支付的工资高于“公平工作高收入门槛” 153,600澳元。       
• 这些未来的临时技术签证持有人还将在五年后获得永久居留权。澳大利亚现有近10,000名临时技术，临时毕业生和学生签证持有人将有资格享受这些特殊安排，另外2500名在澳大利亚境外和1,250名在手申请。  

吸引最优秀的人才

• 政府将通过“全球人才和业务创新与投资计划”（这是永久移民计划的一部分），加大努力吸引香港的最优秀人才。  
• 这些计划将被优先考虑，并且专门的全球人才官员将致力于促进香港的案件处理。
• 为了支持将来的签证申请，我们将已在COVID-19期间关闭的香港签证申请中心重新开放。

吸引企业

• 将制定新的激励措施，以吸引以出口为导向的香港公司迁往澳大利亚。除经济激励措施外，所有在香港工作的重要工作人员都可以使用永久签证途径。政府将特别针对目前在香港地区运营总部并在考虑搬迁到民主国家的企业。   

澳大利亞宣布對在澳香港居民的簽證延長

在中國打擊香港的權利和自由的同時，澳大利亞將在澳香港居民臨時簽證的期限延長5 年。

澳大利亞總理斯科特· 莫里森在新聞發布會上宣布，政府將調整政策，使目前持澳大利亞臨時簽證的香港公民可獲五年延長。澳大利亞還計劃在那五年結束時為仍在澳大利亞的香港公民創造永久居留權的途徑。

現在和將來的香港學生畢業後總共可以居住五年，在這五年結束後可以申請永久居留。所有其他持有臨時簽證的香港人很可能將從今天起將簽證延期五年，並且在這五年結束之時再次獲得永久居留權。

目前，澳大利亞有8200 名學生，570 名臨時技術移民和900 名研究生簽證持有人，還有更多在海外持有澳大利亞簽證的香港人。那些已經擁有澳大利亞簽證但在國外的香港人也將有資格獲得簽證延長。

雖然這對香港人來說是個好消息，但似乎永久居留並不是所有人的最終結果。斯科特· 莫里森（Scott Morrison ）表示，永久簽證的授予將“ 取決於滿足最新的技能列表和勞動力市場測試的要求” 。人道主義簽證選項仍然可用，但是將不會有針對香港的特定細類，目前尚不清楚是否所有香港公民都能符合要求。

在新聞發布會上，總理還宣布了一項計劃，以吸引香港企業遷往澳大利亞，並根據人道主義簽證計劃為工作人員提供重新安置的機會。此外，對澳大利亞的人才和業務創新計劃表現出興趣的香港簽證申請人將被優先考慮到澳大利亞。

總理尚未提供政策實施的時間表，但是我們可能會在未來幾週內收到最新消息。對於持有即將到期的臨時簽證的香港公民，我們建議您進行諮詢以討論臨時簽證的選擇。

香港特別簽證安排摘要

學生

• 香港目前和將來的學生在成功完成學業後將有資格獲得為期五年的臨時畢業生簽證，並在五年後獲得永久居留權。           
• 已經獲得臨時畢業生簽證的畢業生將有資格從今天起延長五年，除了他們已經在澳大利亞的時間以外，還可以在此期間結束後獲得永久居留權。         
• 在偏遠地區校園學習三年的學生將能夠繼續獲得永久居留權。           

臨時技術簽證

• 目前，來自香港的臨時技術簽證持有人除了已經在澳大利亞的時間外，還將有資格從今天起延長五年，並在此期間結束後獲得永久居留權。             
• 未來的香港臨時技術簽證申請人將有資格獲得五年簽證，條件是：         
  • 符合職業技能清單和勞動力市場測試要求；或者        
  • 通過全球人才臨時簽證計劃獲得資格，該計劃適用於傑出雇主，如果其雇主支付的工資高於“ 公平工作高收入門檻” 153,600 澳元。             
• 這些未來的臨時技術簽證持有人還將在五年後獲得永久居留權。澳大利亞現有近10,000 名臨時技術，臨時畢業生和學生簽證持有人將有資格享受這些特殊安排，另外2500 名在澳大利亞境外和1,250 名在手申請。        

吸引最優秀的人才

• 政府將通過“ 全球人才和業務創新與投資計劃” （這是永久移民計劃的一部分），加大努力吸引香港的最優秀人才。        
• 這些計劃將被優先考慮，並且專門的全球人才官員將致力於促進香港的案件處理。     
• 為了支持將來的簽證申請，我們將已在COVID-19 期間關閉的香港簽證申請中心重新開放。     

吸引企業

將製定新的激勵措施，以吸引以出口為導向的香港公司遷往澳大利亞。除經濟激勵措施外，所有在香港工作的重要工作人員都可以使用永久簽證途徑。政府將特別針對目前在香港地區運營總部並在考慮搬遷到民主國家的企業。

If you require professional assistance with your visa application, please email us at solutions@visaone.com.au or for any urgent matters, please call us on 1300 61 99 77.

*Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information only. Always seek professional legal advice in regards to your situation as every situation is different. Immigration legislation changes regularly and thus always, get up-to-date advice on your situation. Lodging a visa application is a judicial process and is based on the quality of legal advice and legal representation you receive. It is illegal for any Migration Agent or Lawyer to guarantee 100% of a positive result as it is a judicial process.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Hon Alan Tudge MP, has released a statement regarding the Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders on 04 April 2020.

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Coronavirus and Temporary Visa holders

The Government is making a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements during the coronavirus crisis in order to protect the health and livelihoods of Australians, support critical industries, and assist with the rapid recovery post the virus.

There are 2.17 million people presently in Australia on a temporary visa.

All were welcomed to Australia on a temporary basis for different reasons including to fill skills shortages; to study as full fee-paying international students; to visit family and friends; or to work and holiday.

They are an important part of our economy and society. For example, there are over 8,000 skilled medical professionals on temporary visas supporting our health system right now.

While citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders have access to unconditional work rights and government payments (including the new JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments), temporary visa holders do not.

There has always been an expectation that temporary visa holders are able to support themselves while in Australia. The changes announced today will help facilitate this for those who may be stood down or lose work hours as a result of the coronavirus.

In line with changes being made for Australian citizens and permanent residents, most temporary visa holders with work rights will now be able to access their Australian superannuation to help support themselves during this crisis.

Temporary visa holders who are unable to support themselves under these arrangements over the next six months are strongly encouraged to return home. For these individuals it's time to go home, and they should make arrangements as quickly as possible.

Changes are also geared toward enabling temporary visa holders to remain in key industries, such as health, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing.

Importantly, they can help boost front line health numbers, get food from farms to our shops and ensure critical services continue.

Temporary visa holders are extremely valuable to the Australian economy and way of life, but the reality is that many Australians will find themselves out of work due to the dual health and economic crisis we're currently facing, and these Australians and permanent residents must be the Government's number one focus.

Visa changes

The following new measures will apply to the major classes of temporary visa holders. The situation will be reviewed periodically and further changes made if required.

Visitor visa holders

There are 203,000 international visitors in Australia, typically on a visa lasting three months or less.

International tourists should return to their home country as quickly as possible, particularly those without family support.

Thousands are already doing this and others should follow their lead.

International students

There are 565,000 international students in Australia, mainly studying in the higher education or vocational education sector. They are an important contributor to our tertiary sector and economy, supporting 240,000 Australian jobs.

Students are encouraged to rely on family support, part-time work where available and their own savings to sustain themselves in Australia. As part of their visa application, international students have had to demonstrate that they can support themselves completely in their first year.

Students who have been here longer than 12 months who find themselves in financial hardship will be able to access their Australian superannuation.

The Government will undertake further engagement with the international education sector who already provide some financial support for international students facing hardship. For example, we understand there are some education providers that are providing fee discounts to international students.

The Government will also be flexible in cases where Coronavirus has prevented international students meeting their visa conditions (such as not being able attend classes).

International students are able to work up to 40 hours per fortnight.

International students working in aged care and as nurses have had these hours extended to support these critical sectors.

International students working in the major supermarkets had also had these hours extended to help get stock on shelves during the high demand. From 1 May, their hours will return to the maximum 40 hours a fortnight as more Australians are being recruited into these roles.

New Zealanders on 444 visas

New Zealanders and Australians have reciprocal arrangements whereby we can each stay and work in each other's country. There are more than 672,000 New Zealanders in Australia on a subclass 444 visa.

New Zealanders who are on 444 visas and arrived before 26 February 2001 will have access to welfare payments and the JobKeeper payment.

444 visa holders who arrived after 2001 have access to the JobKeeper payment. Those who have lived in Australia for 10 years or more have access to JobSeeker payments for six months.

New Zealanders should consider returning to New Zealand if they are unable to support themselves through these provisions, work or family support.

Temporary Skilled visa holders

There are around 139,000 temporary skilled visa holders, on either a 2 year or 4 year visa. They were provided the visa to fill a skills shortage – a shortage that may still be present when the crisis has passed.

Consequently, those visa holders who have been stood down, but not laid off, will maintain their visa validity and businesses will have the opportunity to extend their visa as per normal arrangements. Businesses will also be able to reduce the hours of the visa holder without the person being in breach of their visa condition.

These visa holders will also be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation this financial year.

Those visa holders who have been laid off due to coronavirus should leave the country in line with existing visa conditions if they are unable to secure a new sponsor. However, should a 4-year visa holder be re-employed after the coronavirus pandemic, their time already spent in Australia will count towards their permanent residency skilled work experience requirements.

Working holiday makers supporting critical sectors

There are about 118,000 people in Australia on a Working Holiday visa (or backpacker visa) – a visa which provides conditional work rights.

To support the critical sectors of heath, aged and disability care, agriculture and food processing, and childcare, some limited flexibility will be provided.

In particular, working holiday makers who are working in these critical sectors will be exempt from the six month work limitation with the one employer and eligible for a further visa to keep working in these critical sectors if their current visa is due to expire in the next six months.

In general, working holiday makers that do not have the confidence to sustain themselves over the next six months should make arrangements to leave the country.

There are another 185,000 other temporary visa holders in Australia, about half of them temporary graduate visa holders. They will also be able to access their Australian superannuation if needed for support.

Further announcements will be made with the Deputy Prime Minister and Agriculture Minister in relation to supporting the agricultural sector, including the operation of the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme.

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Source: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/davidcoleman/Pages/Coronavirus-and-Temporary-Visa-holders.aspx

 

Email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au or if you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate assistance, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588).

*Legal Disclaimer: Please note that this article is for general information only. Always seek professional legal advice in regards to your situation as every situation is different. Immigration legislation changes regularly and thus always, get up-to-date advice on your situation. Lodging a visa application is a judicial process and is based on the quality of legal advice and legal representation you receive. It is illegal for any Migration Agent or Lawyer to guarantee 100% of a positive result as it is a judicial process.

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To find out more about the 457 Abolishment changes, please read our article release about the new changes:

457 Abolished | The Real Changes That Will Affect You Now

If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Occupations removed on Wednesday the 19th of April 2017:

 

To find out more about the 457 Abolishment changes, please read our article release about the new changes:

457 Abolished | The Real Changes That Will Affect You Now

If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]A surprising announcement was made yesterday by the Prime Minister of Australia, Malcolm Turnbull, that the Australian government will be abolishing the 457 program and replacing it with the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which will officially come into effect in March of 2018 (next year).

This has created a ripple effect of fear, confusion and uncertainty for 457 visa applicants, and 457 sponsors, which include small businesses, medium-to-large organisations and even government bodies who all utilise the 457 program to fill a wide array of skilled vacancies with skilled workers from around the globe, including Europe, Asia and the Americas.

It is important to know that the transition of changes of the move from the current 457 program to the new TSS visa has already begun. Reforms have come into effect from today starting with the occupation lists, and more changes to follow this coming 1st of July 2017. Below are the immediate changes, effective from today, that may affect your 457 visa/nomination/sponsorship:

Changes commencing on the 19th April (today):

• Occupation list change: The Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL), which was the list of occupations that employers could sponsor people to fill, has been renamed to the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) of which 216 occupations have been removed (from 651 to 435 occupations). Note: The STSOL will be updated every 6 months
• The new STSOL will have occupation specific restrictions applied to 59 of the occupations and 24 occupations have been limited for sponsorship to regionally located employers (such as occupations relating to farming and agriculture).
• The Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which refers to the Skilled Migration category will be renamed to the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). This list will consist of occupations that have been identified as high value occupations to the Australian economy.
• 457 Visa Validity Period: The maximum duration of 457 visas issued from this date for occupations that are on the STSOL will be 2 years. The maximum duration of 457 visas issued from this date for occupations that are on the MLTSSL will be 4 years.

So what does this mean for you as an applicant or employer?

This means that depending on your occupation or vacant position:

1. You will not be able to use the 457 program for occupations that have been removed from the occupations lists.
2. For the remaining occupations, on the new lists, you can still use the 457 program but some restrictions may apply to your occupation, or will only be allowed for regional work purposes.
3. The maximum period of the visa validity of 457 visas granted from the 19th of April 2017 onwards will vary depending on what list the occupation/vacancy falls under (STSOL vs MSTSSL).

Current 457 visa holders are not affected by the change and their visas will continue to remain in effect. The only time where the changes will affect current 457 visa holders is if they intend to switch employers, which requires a new 457 nomination (which will be subject to the new occupation lists and associated restrictions).

Current 457 nomination and visa applications that have been lodged on or before the 18th of April 2017 (where the application/s have not yet been finalised) will be affected by the new occupation lists. The Department of Immigration have advised that applications affected by the changes may be eligible for a refund of their nomination fee and visa application fee.

If you are about to embark on a 457 case (or if you are in the middle of the process), please make sure you understand the above changes and consult with an experienced registered migration agent who can navigate the changes and offer you advice and assistance to help you, moving forward.

If you require professional assistance with your matter, please email us at solutions@VisaOne.com.au. Due to the sudden nature of the announcement made regarding the 457 visa program, you may experience 1-2 business days of delay in our response to your enquiry.

If you have an urgent case matter which requires immediate intervention and you wish to engage us to professionally assist with your case, please call us on 1300 61 99 77 (or +61 7 3181 5588) and clearly describe your situation (such as your occupation, the status of your application and any other problems you require immediate assistance with).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_custom_heading text="It doesn't cost you to know your options" font_container="tag:h1|text_align:center|color:%23288bd0" google_fonts="font_family:Lato%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal" css=".vc_custom_1493284229331{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}"][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title=" 1300 619 977" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#333333" btn_bg_color="" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" icon="Defaults-phone" icon_size="32" icon_color="#288bd0" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="3" el_class="ubtn123" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284369687{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:34px;" btn_line_height="desktop:34px;"][/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width="1/2"][ult_buttons btn_title="FREE VISA ASSESSMENT" btn_align="ubtn-center" btn_size="ubtn-large" btn_title_color="#ffffff" btn_bg_color="#ff8200" btn_hover="ubtn-fade-bg" btn_bg_color_hover="#ff9b30" btn_title_color_hover="#ffffff" icon_size="32" btn_icon_pos="ubtn-sep-icon-at-left" btn_border_style="solid" btn_color_border="#ff8200" btn_border_size="0" btn_radius="5" el_class="sg-popup-id-2" css_adv_btn=".vc_custom_1493284465384{margin-top: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;}" btn_font_style="font-weight:bold;" btn_font_size="desktop:20px;" btn_line_height="desktop:20px;"][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Question: I got a band score of 5 in IELTS, do I meet the IELTS requirement for a 457 visa?

Most people believe that the passing marks for English is a minimum of 5's across all four components of the IELTS General Test (i.e. Reading, writing, speaking and listening).

However from the 18th of April this year (2015), Immigration loosened the requirements and allowed people to show a band score (ie. Average score) of 5, with no scores less than 4.5 in any of the four components.

This is a big deal, considering how the IELTS testing organization has been largely viewed as a monopoly giant in the English testing industry and having an unexplained knack of failing people’s individual scores by 0.5. This change since the 18th of April, will allow more people who can meet the band score average to go ahead and apply for their 457 working visas and get on with life.

Kudos Immigration. Kudos.

From the desk of Yuri Marshall | Changing Lives Everyday

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has just updated their website with the occupation ceilings for the 2015 - 2016 programme year.

You can find the occupation ceilings information here: SkillSelect and click on "Occupation ceilings" tab.

The list already includes Cabinetmakers and Panelbeaters which were recently added on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL).

The table below shows the top 5 occupations based on their ceiling values.

Occupation ID	Description	Ceiling Value	Results to date
2544	Registered Nurses	13872	0
3411	Electricians	8772	0
2414	Secondary School Teachers	8352	0
3232	Metal Fitters and Machinists	8070	0
3312	Carpenters and Joiners	7290	0

 

And below is the ceiling values for Cabinetmakers and Panelbeaters.

Occupation ID	Description	Ceiling Value	Results to date
​3941	​Cabinetmakers	​1530	​0
​3241	​Panelbeaters	​1134	​0

 

For more information, visit SkillSelect and Skilled Occupations List.