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Howard Johnson

Australian Passport Office Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates

Australian Passport Office Guidance on foreign vaccination certificates

As Australia’s border progressively reopens from 1 November 2021, more favourable entry rules may apply to certain arriving travellers who can prove they are fully vaccinated. To benefit from these arrangements, travellers vaccinated in Australia will need to present an Australian International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate.  Travellers vaccinated in other countries will be able to present certificates in formats that meet the following criteria:

  • Issued by a national or state/provincial-level authority or an accredited vaccination provider
  • Written in English or accompanied by a certified translation
  • Containing at a minimum:
    • name as it appears in the traveller’s passport
    • either date of birth or passport number
    • the vaccine brand name, and
    • the date of each dose or the date on which a full course of immunisation was completed.

Paper and digital certificates are equally acceptable.

For travellers to qualify as fully vaccinated, their certificates must show vaccines approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).  Current approved and recognised vaccines and dosages are:

  • Two doses at least 14 days apart of:
    • AstraZeneca Vaxzevria
    • AstraZeneca COVISHIELD
    • Pfizer/Biontech Comirnaty
    • Moderna Spikevax
    • Sinovac Coronavac
    • Bharat (Covaxin)
    • Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) (for ages 18-60 only)
  • Or one dose of:
    • Johnson & Johnson/Janssen-Cilag COVID Vaccine.

Seven days must have passed since the final dose of vaccine in a course of immunisation. Mixed doses count towards being fully vaccinated as long as all vaccines are approved or recognised by the TGA.  Doses of Sinopharm (BBIBP-CorV) only count towards being fully vaccinated if administered when the traveller was aged from 18 to 60 years.

Travellers who have not been vaccinated with the above doses or schedule do not meet Australia’s definition of fully vaccinated.

All children aged under 12 years count as fully vaccinated for travel purposes. Special arrangements(link is external) apply for certain returning Australian children aged 12-17 years who are not fully vaccinated.

Travellers who cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 because of a medical condition need to provide evidence. They should also check any requirements, particularly quarantine requirements, in the state or territory to which they are travelling.

The TGA is continuing to evaluate other COVID-19 vaccines that may be recognised for the purposes of inbound travel to Australia in future.  Information on the latest approved and recognised vaccines is available on the TGA website.

Shortened brand names

Some certificates shorten the name of a vaccine brand compared to how it appears in the list above.  For instance, some certificates refer only to ‘Biontech’, ‘Comirnaty’, ‘AstraZeneca’ or ‘Johnson & Johnson’. This is acceptable.

A certificate is not acceptable if it includes the name or part name of a vaccine not currently approved or recognised by the TGA.

Special rules apply for Sinopharm brand names (see below).

 

Sinopharm brand names

There are two kinds of Sinopharm vaccine.  One is from Beijing and one from Wuhan, although both may also be produced at other locations.

Only the Beijing vaccine is recognised by the TGA. A certificate shows the Beijing vaccine if the brand name contains the expressions ‘BBIBP’, ‘BIBP’ or ‘Covilo’.

Sinopharm brand names can also include other expressions such as ‘Cor‑V’ and ‘Vero Cells’. These are not relevant to whether the vaccine is recognised by the TGA.

Examples of acceptable brand names on a vaccination certificate include:

  • Sinopharm BBIBP-CorV
  • Sinopharm BBIBP
  • Sinopharm BIBP-CorV
  • Sinopharm Covid Vaccine BIBP
  • Sinopharm Beijing
  • BBIBP-CorV
  • BBIBP (Vero Cells)
  • BIBP
  • BIBP-CorV
  • Sinopharm Covilo
  • Covilo

Examples of unacceptable brand names on a vaccination certificate include:

  • Sinopharm
  • Sinopharm WIBP
  • Sinopharm Wuhan

‘Sinopharm’ by itself is not acceptable on a certificate because there is no way of telling whether it refers to the Beijing or Wuhan vaccine.

If you are considering starting a new life adventure in Australia, now is a great time to commence the process to take advantage of early opportunities.

Contact us now for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

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Australia’s International Border Reopening – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

Australia’s International Border Reopening – ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW

From the 1st of November Australia’s international border is reopening and fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents aged 12 and over may travel again internationally without having to apply for an exemption to leave or enter the country.

To qualify as fully vaccinated, a vaccine must be approved or recognised by Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). This includes two doses at least 14 days apart of: AstraZeneca Vaxzevria, Covishield, Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty, Moderna Spikevax or Sinovac Coronavac, or one dose of Janssen-Cilag Covid vaccine.  Children under 12 and those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be able to travel overseas without an exemption.

Smart Traveller has removed its global “Do not travel” advisory and has updated travel advice levels for 177 destinations based on the latest risk assessments related to Covid-19 and other threats to safety and security. At this stage, no destination will be set lower than Level 2, which is “Exercise a high degree of caution”.  Accordingly prior to making arrangements and bookings it is worth considering the following:

  • What are Australia’s exit and re-entry requirements?
  • What are the requirements of your destination country?
  • What is your tolerance and budget for potential disruption caused by Covid-19?

Pre-departure:

To travel internationally without an exemption you must show your International Covid-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC) at check-in when departing Australia.   At check-in, everyone who is five years of age or older must give proof of a negative Covid-19 (PCR) molecular test provided by a laboratory to be done no more than 72 hours before the scheduled departure of the first leg of your return flight to Australia. This is required in addition to the Covid-19 vaccine.

A negative PCR test result certificate will still be valid if your flight is delayed longer than the 72-hour window, but if the flight is rescheduled or cancelled, you will need to take a new test no more than 72 hours before the new flight.

Re-entry:

The Australian government regulates visas and exemptions, but state and territory governments regulate quarantine (and other inbound health related requirements). Therefore, even when you can leave Australia without an exemption, you must keep up to date with your state’s rules for your return.

From Monday, fully vaccinated returning Australians will not be required to quarantine in hotels or at home on arrival into NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Children under 12 will not be treated as unvaccinated.  

If you arrive from overseas directly into another state, at this stage you will still be directed into mandatory hotel quarantine. Tasmania will open its borders on 15 December and South Australia has announced a slow reduction of restrictions starting on 23 November.

Queensland has a very cautious reopening plan that will evolve as vaccination targets are reached. The Northern Territory has a home quarantine plan, for interstate arrivals, to begin around 23 November. Western Australia has not announced its reopening plan.

Outbound – Where can you go?

As travel restrictions ease, Australians are showing the most interest in travelling to Fiji, Singapore, Thailand, Bali, the US and UK. Quarantine-free travel from New Zealand to Australia will resume from Monday.

Fiji:

From 1 December, Fiji is reopening its borders to fully vaccinated tourists (Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Janssen), aged 18 and above, from Australia and a select group of countries, including the US and New Zealand. At check-in, everyone aged 12 and above must give proof of a negative RT-PCR result from a test taken within three days of departure. On arrival, all travellers must download careFIJI onto their phones and head straight to their hotel, where they will spend their first two days, with access to all hotel amenities. After a negative rapid antigen (swab) test, taken after 48 hours, they will have access to a range of tourist-appropriate areas throughout the country.

United States:

The US has changed its vaccination requirements for non-US citizens entering the country. In the past, since Australia was considered a low-risk country for Covid-19, Australians did not have to be vaccinated to travel to the US. However, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) now states that, starting on 8 November, all non-US citizens aged 18 and above coming into the US by air must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before travel with any of the following Federal Drug Administration-approved vaccines: Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty, Moderna and Janssen; or World Health Organization Emergency Use Listing vaccines (including Australian-made AstraZeneca Vaxzevria).

All inbound air travellers aged two and older, regardless of citizenship, must show a negative Covid-19 test result. The timing of this test depends on vaccination status and age, something that is particularly relevant for travelling families. At check-in, fully vaccinated adults, and their accompanying children aged between two and 17, must give proof of a negative PCR result for Covid-19 from a test taken no more than three days before departure.

Alternatively, you can provide documentation from a licensed healthcare provider showing recovery from Covid-19 in the 90 days preceding travel. No quarantine will be required, but the CDC will issue an order directing airlines to collect travellers’ contact details for a contact tracing system that is yet to be outlined. International travellers are also still recommended to get a test three to five days after arrival regardless of vaccination status, and some US states make this a requirement.

Singapore:

Vaccinated Australians will be able to travel to Singapore quarantine-free from 8 November. Starting on Monday you can apply for a Vaccinated Travel Pass to enter as a short-term visitor under the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL). You must show proof you are fully vaccinated at least two weeks before travel (children under 12 travelling with family are exempt). You will also be required to take a PCR test on arrival at Singapore airport and remain in isolation until a negative result is received. You must have travel insurance that covers Covid-19 medical treatment and hospital costs. For the moment, only Singapore Airlines is operating VTL flights.

UK:

The UK recently scrapped its traffic light country system and will remove its red list of countries on Monday so that all fully vaccinated international travellers will no longer have to quarantine in a hotel. The UK recognises Australian Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty, Oxford/AstraZeneca and Moderna vaccines. Fully vaccinated travellers no longer need to show a negative test result before departing for the UK, although currently all airlines operating in and out of Australia are requiring passengers to take PCR tests before leaving. You must fill in a contact locator form before arriving in the UK and prebook a Covid-19 test to be taken before the end of day two after your arrival. Specific rules vary between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Thailand:

Thailand is a bit of a grey area because, while the country is opening to Australia and 45 other “low risk” nations on Monday, the current advice on the Smart Traveller site is at Level 3 (“Reconsider your need to travel”). There are currently limited direct flights to Thailand but Thai Airways has announced an increase in flights starting on 17 November as well as nonstop Sydney to Phuket flights three times a week and daily Sydney to Bangkok flights starting on 8 December. Things are changing fast, so it is worth checking for updates regularly.

Fully vaccinated travellers (Australia’s Pfizer/BioNtech Comirnaty, Moderna and AstraZeneca Vaxzevria all approved) arriving by air will need to show proof of vaccination no less than 14 days before departure (children under 12 are exempt), a medical certificate with a negative result of a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before departure, and proof of a fully paid booking for their first night’s stay at government-approved hotels to wait for a negative result from a PCR test taken upon arrival. With negative results, travellers can go anywhere in Thailand. All travellers must register their details at the Thailand Travel Pass website at least seven days before departure and purchase a minimum per person US$50,000 travel insurance to cover medical expenses, including Covid-19 treatment.

Bali:

Bali has recently opened to fully vaccinated travellers from 19 countries, who must quarantine in hotels for five days and follow strict visa requirements under new entry rules. Australia is not one of them, although there are indications that it will soon be added. But there are currently no direct flights from anywhere in Australia.

Potential disruptions:

It is important to remember that most airlines are adding their own requirements in addition to those of destination countries. All are requiring mask-wearing in airports and for the duration of flights, except when you are eating. For flights to and from the US this applies to children as young as two. All airlines operating into and out of Australia are also requiring PCR tests and in some instances you may be asked to take a rapid antigen test requiring a negative result before you board. You also need to factor in the extra time and hassle with all the Covid-related checks while travelling.

Insurance:

Finding travel insurance that will cover Covid-related medical expenses overseas and cancellations due to Covid illness, not to mention lockdowns or government restrictions, is a monumental task. Suffice to say, there will likely be tears and unexpected costs involved.

Covid-related risks:

You also need to factor in the risk of getting Covid-19 while travelling overseas and the costs involved of extending your stay in a hotel or managed facility, or, in the worst case, an ICU in a foreign hospital, until you can get a negative test and return to Australia.

And it is always possible that another international outbreak will occur while you are overseas and Australia will close its borders again. You will need enough resilience and a significant budget set aside to allow for an extended overseas sojourn.

For peace of mind, in these constantly changing circumstances, it may be worth using the services of a travel agent. They are not only across all the latest travel logistics and government requirements but are also equipped to help with refunds should you have to cancel or change your travel plans.

At this point in time there are approximately 35,000 Australian Citizens and Premanent Residents stranded overseas, awaiting repatriation into Australia and this is going to take some time.  This, along with the variance in Australia’s State Border restrictions will have a significant impact on skilled migration for oversees workers, however once the backlog is cleared and a more consistent State Border policy is implemented then free access will eventuate.

If you are desirous of starting a new life adventure in Australia then Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

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New Agriculture Visa set to bring more migrants to work in Australia

New Agriculture Visa set to bring more migrants to work in Australia

Workers from South-East Asia will be prioritised under the new Australian Agriculture Visa, which will address labour shortages in the Australian agriculture sector brought on by international border closures.  A new agriculture visa is set to bring more migrants to fill chronic labour shortages on Australian farms from November, with workers from South-East Asian countries to be prioritised.

The federal government announced the visa’s formal go-ahead, which had been foreshadowed by Agriculture Minister David Littleproud.  The full conditions of the visa are still being finalised in consultation with the sector, but are expected to include potential pathways to permanent residency, including regional resettlement. 

The first phase of the visa will see a small cohort of agriculture workers arriving in Australia between November and March 2022.  More workers would enter Australia with the new visa during the second phase, which would begin in April next year. 

Mr Littleproud said negotiations around bilateral agreements with countries in the region were underway.  “The Ag Visa will be the biggest structural change to the agricultural workforce in our nation’s history and it will be open to applicants from a range of countries and we are already in talks with a number of countries in our region who are eager to participate.”

The government has committed to prioritising bilateral deals with countries through the Association of South-East Asian Nations, which include Thailand, Cambodia, Brunei, Myanmar, Philippines, Malaysia, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia.  The visa is designed to address labour shortages that have been aggravated by international border closures as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government has estimated the horticulture sector alone is facing a shortage of up to 30,000 workers by February.

The visa would be available to workers across agricultural industries, including the meat processing, fisheries and forestry sectors, and allow individuals to move between employers.  Mr Littleproud said the agriculture visa would complement, not replace, existing labour schemes with Pacific nations.  “It will complement the Pacific programs we have got in place which have been critical in supporting our primary industries to date,” he said.

The Australian Council of Trade Unions has warned about the potential exploitation of migrant workers under the new visa, concerned over a perceived lack of protections.  This follows persistent warnings from unions about widespread underpayment and poor conditions faced by migrant workers in the sector.  The federal government says workers arriving in Australia under the scheme would be ensured the same rights and protections as all workers.

Farmers have long been calling for the visa, saying it would help with production efforts.  Mr Littleproud said the government is working closely with states and territories around quarantine capacity for the workers.

The Nationals secured the Coalition’s support for the visa following Australia’s free-trade deal with the United Kingdom. This ended a requirement for British backpackers to work on farms for 88 days if they wanted to stay in Australia for two years.

Now is the time to position yourself for the early opportunities that will avail themselves when the visa comes into effect, so Contact us now for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

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How To Apply For A Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence in the UK

How To Apply For A Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence in the UK

United Kingdom

With the introduction of the new Skilled Worker visa, as an employer you now need to secure a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence. By doing this, you are able to issue Certificates of Sponsorship to potential applicants, allowing them to obtain their visa.

In addition to Skilled Worker Sponsor Licences, you are also able to apply for the following Sponsor Licences:

Some of the above licences can be applied for collectively, such as Intra Company Transfer and Skilled Worker Licences. Others, such as the Religious or Sporting categories, have their own separate application process.

In order to apply for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence, you must satisfy certain eligibility and suitability criteria.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Eligibility Criteria

As a sponsor, you must submit evidence demonstrating that you are a genuine employer, with a lawful trading presence in the UK. In order to meet the eligibility criteria, you must provide at least four pieces of evidence as listed in Appendix A, in support of your application.

Appendix A, is split into four tables. Table 1 confirms that a public authority or a company listed on the London Stock Exchange does not have to submit documents other than those specific to the licence they are applying for. Table 2 covers starts-ups (organisations that have been trading for less than 18 months), as well as franchises and charities. Table 3 lists the specific evidence that needs to be sent for a particular tier.

Table 4 then lists all the other possible documents you could provide, one of which must be the latest set of audited accounts if the organisation is legally obliged to submit them.

Specified Evidence Required

In addition to information about the organisation, the proposed job role, and the candidate in mind, you must also tell the Home Office why you are applying for a Skilled Worker Licence.

The Home Office also requires you to nominate certain individuals to take on roles in respect of the Sponsor Licence. Anyone nominated must be primarily in the UK, and the main roles are:

  • Authorising Officer – Usually someone senior within the company or organisation, who is involved with recruitment and/or HR. This person will be ultimately responsible for the licence, and ensuring that Sponsor Licence duties are met;
  • Key Contact – The primary point of contact for the Home Office. A legal representative can undertake this role for you; and
  • Level 1 User – This person will be responsible for all day-to-day management of the Sponsor Licence through an online portal, known as the Sponsorship Management System (SMS). This person must be an employee at the time of application, however once the Sponsor Licence has been assigned, others, including legal representatives can be set up at Level 1 Users, or Level 2 Users who are able to undertake certain limited tasks on the SMS.

When deciding who to nominate for the above roles, it is important to consider whether any one of them have any adverse history – whether that be past criminal convictions, or any adverse involvement with the Home Office. Applications for Sponsor Licences have been refused in the past as a result of one or more persons character or history.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Suitability Criteria

Unlike the eligibility criteria, the suitability criteria requires a much broader assessment. The Home Office will be wanting to see that your organisation is honest, dependable, and reliable, and capable of fulfilling the responsibilities that it expects from Sponsors.

The department will check the following:

  • That the sponsor has the human resource and recruitment systems in place to meet, or continue to meet their sponsor duties — the Home Office will judge this by either visiting the sponsor before or after the licence is granted;
  • That the Home Office are able to visit and conduct checks to ensure that the sponsor duties are being complied with on an immediate,
  • unannounced basis; this includes checks at any physical addresses where the sponsored employees would carry out their employment duties;
  • That the sponsor can offer a genuine vacancy which meets the criteria of the category the sponsor is applying to be licensed for;
  • If any of the key personnel within the business have an unspent criminal conviction for a relevant offence; and
  • Any evidence of previous non-compliance by the sponsor.

You must also be able to demonstrate that you can offer genuine employment that meets the skill and salary requirements under the skilled-worker route.

The Home Office will want to be satisfied that your organisation has the HR or recruitment procedure in place to meet the sponsorship duties. Sponsorship duties include reporting certain information about sponsored workers and using the sponsorship management system. If something needs to be reported, this must be done within 10 days of the event. Events that require reporting are those such as changes to start dates, or change of work location for a skilled worker.

Your sponsorship duties also include keeping records of things such as contracts of employment, salaries, and evidence of genuineness of any vacancies advertised. Appendix D: keeping records for sponsorship sets out further details.

You should be aware that the Home Office can visit you as part of the Sponsor Licence application process, to check that your systems are sufficient. This will usually occur if the organisation is newly formed, or, if the application is high risk. Not only can the Home Office inspect your organisation during the application process, they can also visit at any time whilst you are a Sponsor Licence holder. During the visit(s), the Home Office will check your HR systems, and speak to the appointed Authorising Officer. They may also ask to interview sponsored employees.

If the Home Office finds that you are not meeting your duties and obligations, they can revoke or suspend your licence, resulting in curtailment of any sponsored workers visas.

How to Submit an Application for a Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence

Your application will be made using an online application form, where you can choose the categories that you would like the Sponsor Licence to cover. You will also have to give information about the key personnel you are appointing, as well as what documents and evidence you are providing to meet the eligibility criteria set out above.

A legal representative can help you complete the form, but the guidance clearly states that it must be submitted by the Sponsor themselves.

The fee for submitting varies depending on the size of your organisation. A small company or charity will be charged £536.00, and a medium or large sized company will be charged £1,476.00.

Skilled Worker Sponsor Licence Processing Times

You might be waiting for a decision on your application for up to 8 weeks. There is a priority service which costs £500.00, and will return a decision within 10 working days.

If your application is granted, you will be issued with a Sponsor Licence valid for 4 years from the date of decision. If, however, your application is refused, there is no right of appeal and there is a six-month cooling off period.

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Australia Sets New Directives For Priority Consideration Of Skilled Visa Applications

Australia Sets New Directives For Priority Consideration Of Skilled Visa Applications

Key Points

  • New priority allocation directives for Australia’s skilled visa programs for Australia came into effect on July 7, 2021. These directives (specified by the Immigration Minister) intend to ensure certain cohorts of applications are afforded priority and to help support the government’s post-COVID-19 recovery effort and expedite processing for critical industry sectors. Under the latest Ministerial Directions, the Australian Government will afford priority consideration to applications under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas programs made by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders, and those which relate to occupations on the Priority Skilled Migration Occupation List (PMSOL)  
  • This would be followed by TSS visa applications made under Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) programs, applications with occupations in the agricultural and other critical sectors and those submitted for regional Australia. Applications sponsored by employers with Accredited Sponsor status or under labour agreements then follow
  • The allocation directives also apply a similar prioritization hierarchy to Employer Sponsored or Regional sponsored visas. This is followed by Significant Investor provisional visas and other provisional visas under the Business and Innovation program; and provisional regional visas which take precedence to other Employer Sponsored or Regional sponsored visas, Skilled Nominated, Skilled Independent visas, and all other visa applications   
  • The government will continue to exercise discretion to process highest priority applications first
    • Priority will be given to applicants within Australia. Those applicants outside Australian borders will be processed behind in-Australia applicants. 

Overview

Further details regarding new processing directives are as follows: 

Processing of TSS visa applications 

New Priority Order: 

  1. Applications submitted by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport-holders within Australian borders. 
  2. Applications submitted by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport-holders outside Australian borders. 
  3. Applications submitted for PSMOL occupations, under a GTES Agreement, identified through the Global Talent program or for agriculture sector occupations. 
  4. Applications submitted under other Critical Sectors identified by the government. These sectors must be identified as “critical” in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and recovery effort. 
  5. Applications submitted under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) program, by an Accredited Sponsor or under an approved Labour Agreement; and, 
  6. All other applications, especially all other skilled permanent residence submissions.

New Priority Order: 

  1. All skilled permanent residence or provisional visa applications submitted by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport-holders within Australian borders. 
  2. All skilled permanent residence or provisional visa applications submitted by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport-holders outside Australia. 
  3. Applications for Employer Sponsored visa or a Regional Sponsored visa submitted for PMSOL occupations, for agriculture sector occupations, under a GTES Agreement, identified through the Global Talent program. 
  4. Significant investor provisional visas and other provisional visas under the Business and Innovation program. 
  5. Applications submitted under other Critical Sectors.  
  6. Applications for an Employer Sponsored visa or a Regional Sponsored visa by an employer who is a party to a Labour Agreement under a Designated Area Migration Agreement. 
  7. Applications for a Subclass 494 (Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional)) visa . 

Note: Within this priority level, special precedence will be afforded to applications where sponsors hold Accredited Sponsorship or an approved Labour Agreement.  

  1. Applications for a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa .
  2. Applications for an Employer Sponsored visa.

Note: Within this priority level, special precedence will be afforded to applications where sponsors hold Accredited Sponsorship or an approved Labour Agreement. 

  1. Applications for a Subclass 187 (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa .
  • Note: Within this priority level, special precedence will be afforded to applications where sponsors hold Accredited Sponsorship or an approved Labour Agreement. 
  1. Applications for a Subclass 489 (Skilled – Regional (Provisional)) visa .
  2. Applications for a Subclass 190 (Skilled – Nominated) visa .
  3. Applications for a Subclass 189 (Skilled – Independent) visa in the Points-tested stream.
  4. All other visa applications. 

What are the Changes?

The latest Ministerial Directions enable the Australian Government to expedite visa applications lodged by Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport-holders ahead of other cohorts; this is in response to political challenges in Hong Kong (SAR) in 2020. Additionally, the latest changes allow for additional prioritization arrangements for Australia’s agriculture sector. 

NOTE: Ministerial Directions made under Section 499 of Australia’s Migration Act allow the Australian Government to prioritize certain cohorts of applications over others based on current government policies.      

Looking Ahead

Australia is monitoring opportunities to bolster its post-pandemic recovery effort and support Hong Kong nationals. It is possible that additional changes and updates may develop in coming months. Employers with talent in Australia or Hong Kong should keep abreast of all policy updates. 

Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

 

 

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The jobs Australia is so keen for migrants to fill that they’re offering permanent residency

The jobs Australia is so keen for migrants to fill that they're offering permanent residency

Key Points:

  • 79,600 spaces are available for the Skilled Migration scheme in 2020-2021
  • 17 occupations have been prioritised in the health, construction and IT sectors 
  • This includes nurses, doctors, midwives, software engineers and programmers 

Skilled workers are in such short supply in Australia the federal government is offering qualified migrants permanent residency. 

A total of 17 occupations have been identified on the federal government’s priority migration skilled occupation list to help Australia recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Immigration authorities will prioritise workers in the healthcare, construction and information technology industries.  The list includes nurses, doctors, midwives, psychiatrists, software engineers, computer programmers and mechanical engineers. 

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the changes would strike the right balance for Australia’s economic recovery.  “Our priority is getting Australians back into work but we also need key health workers to help fight the virus and skilled migrants who are going to be job multipliers, to help the economy recover” Mr Tudge said. 

The occupations were selected out of more than 200 on the Department of Home Affairs Skills List granting residency under the Skilled Migration Scheme.  The skilled migration program is offering 79,600 places for 2020-2021.  The scheme falls under the 189 Skilled Independent Visa and allows workers to apply for permanent residency after three years.  The skilled stream is considered the most desirable way to gain immigration to Australia.  

Alternative pathways to migration involve gaining sponsorship from an employer or government authorities.  The skilled work regional visa, known as the subclass 491 visa, offers a short term stay for migrants willing to work in regional Australia.  They must remain in the area for up to five years, but may apply for permanent residency after three years if they have met the income requirements.  Migrants can also gain permanent residency through the 186, 482 and 494 visas which require sponsorship through an employer. 

The federal government also offers highly talented specialists a chance to gain permanent residency through the Global Talent Independent Program.  The program targets specialists across seven industries: ag-tech, med-tech, space, fin-tech, energy and mining technology, cyber security, and data science.  The scheme is the fastest way to gain permanent residency in Australia.  Migrants applying through this program must show they area capable of earning a salary above the income threshold of $153,600 each year.  They must also have their application supported by an Australian specialist working in their field. 

The 17 Priority Occupations For 2020 – 2021 are:

The following 17 occupations were identified as priorities to help bolster the nation’s economy in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic:

  • Chief Executive or Managing Director 
  • Construction Project Manager  
  • Mechanical Engineer 
  • General Practitioner 
  • Resident Medical Officer
  • Psychiatrist 
  • Medical Practitioner nec 
  • Midwife 
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) 
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) 
  • Registered Nurse (Medical) 
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) 
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) 
  • Registered Nurses nec 
  • Developer Programmer 
  • Software Engineer 
  • Maintenance Planner 

We recommend you position yourself early for the opportunities that will avail themselves as we come out of these unprecedented times so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

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COVID-19 Border Exemptions For Skilled Workers Being Introduced In Australia – Emphasis on Healthcare, Construction and Software Professionals.

COVID-19 Border Exemptions For Skilled Workers Being Introduced In Australia - Emphasis on Healthcare, Construction and Software Professionals.

Healthcare, Construction and Software Professionals wanting work in Australia will be given exemptions to bypass tough border restrictions as part of a new Skilled Migration Plan to offset slowing population growth, create jobs and help the economy recover from the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic recession.

Significant opportunities are available after the federal government has given a swathe of Healthcare, Construction and Technology Professionals top priority status for migration due to a local skills shortage.

Most of the 17 jobs on the new list of workers that businesses will be able to sponsor from overseas relate to the Healthcare Industry, including Registered Nurses, General Practitioners, Psychiatrists and Midwives, but Chief Executives, Construction Managers, Mechanical and Software Engineers also make the list.

Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge, who is also acting Immigration Minister, said the list was an immediate priority for Australia’s recovery.

“If a person fits that category they will get an exemption to come through the borders,” Mr Tudge said.

 

Jobs on Australia’s priority list are:

  • General practitioner
  • Resident medical officer
  • Psychiatrist
  • Medical practitioners not elsewhere classified
  • Registered nurses – aged care, critical care and emergency, medical, mental health, midwife, peri-operative and not elsewhere classified
  • Chief executive or managing director
  • Construction project manager
  • Mechanical engineer
  • Developer programmer
  • Software engineer
  • Maintenance planner

There have been international travel restrictions on all non-residents and non-citizens arriving in Australia without exemptions since March 20 due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.  These travel restrictions are forecast to remain in place until mid 2021. This announcement means the professions included on the list get to jump the queue by getting a minimum of a 9 month time benefit.

Mr Tudge said “Immigration is actually part of the answer of kick starting the economy because some people are job-creating individuals. This could include significant investors, entrepreneurs who create businesses or workers with highly specialised skills needed by businesses.”

“Migration has been obviously an important driver of population growth. That alone is a significant economic driver. But migration has also helped our participation rate and our productivity rate because we bring in young and skilled people.”

“It’s a very significant part of Australia’s economic and social success. Australia is an immigrant nation and we will return to being an immigrant nation.”

All people arriving in Australia, including skilled workers on this list, are required to spend 14 days in quarantine.  The occupations were chosen after careful analysis of recent changes to the internet vacancy index, changes in employment, and longer-term stability in the labour market for individual occupations.

 

Right now is a great time to assess your own situation and we suggest you consider a new life adventure in Australia.  If you are looking to position yourself for great opportunities and first mover advantage then Contact us for a confidential discussion and/or refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.  This is an opportunity not to be missed in these uncertain times.

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Australian Visa Changes And The Implications For Skilled Migrants And Students

Australian Visa Changes And The Implications For Skilled Migrants And Students

So far this year we have witnessed significant immigration policy changes enforced by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Impacted cohorts include skilled migrants, international students, partners and aged parents seeking to visit or to permanently migrate.

As we move forward in this state of uncertainty and into the new financial year, further major changes to be introduced that are likely to impact both existing and prospective visa holders include:

  • Critical sector occupations will get priority under state nomination programs.
  • Onshore visa applicants, including international students are likely to have an “edge” over offshore applicants.
  • Offshore visa applicants are to remain “worst-affected” by processing delays bought about as a result of workplace restrictions due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

So here is the situation:

  • All jurisdictions usually adjust their occupation lists to accommodate the next year’s allocations of places for visas at the start of the financial year.
  • This year changes would be more significant to accommodate Australia’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Here is a State by State snapshot:

Victoria:  

  • The state government will start accepting new applications for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) in the financial year 2020-2021, subject to an announcement.
  • Like the rest of Australia, Victoria is also facing multiple challenges owing to the COVID-19 induced health and financial crisis.
  • Priority will be given to occupations in sectors critical to the Coronavirus response, such as medicine, infrastructure, tradies, etc, over other occupations.
  • “It seems apparent that applicants possessing critical skills will be given priority in the new financial year. Out of which those onshore are likely to receive priority processing.

New South Wales:

  • In a significant development for visa hopefuls, NSW opened its Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – applications for which closed on June 26, 2020.
  • The state relaxed the 12-month living and removed the working requirement paving another pathway for skilled migrants planning to work and live in the state.

South Australia:

  • The state has said it will reopen its nomination application system for 190/491 in early August, subject to an announcement.

Western Australia:

  • The WA government made changes to their occupation list on 16 June 2020, removing Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) and adding Nuclear Medicine Technologist (251213) and Physicist (234914) – with the specialisation of Medical Physicist.

Queensland:

  • Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ) has also closed its state nomination program. The state is now awaiting advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to its nomination allocation for the financial year 2020-21.

Northern Territory:

  • The NT program remains closed to offshore applicants at this stage. New eligibility requirements for all nominations will apply as of 1 July 2020.
  • International students living in the territory will have a clear edge over other applicants in the new financial year.
  • Student visa holders who live in the designated areas and those who keep upscaling their skill sets which are in high demand in the territory have higher chances to be considered for the permanent residency visa nomination.

Australian Capital Territory:

  • Only 81 invitations were issued for subclass 190 in the latest round on June 3, as compared 485 in the previous round. Whereas, no invitations were issued for subclass 491 owing to “sufficient applications in the queue,” as per information available on the state website.
  • The next invitation round is due on or before 15 July, subject to an announcement.

Tasmania:

  • Tasmania has allowed some flexibility for some applicants affected by COVID-19 who are trying to meet the requirements for state nomination.
  • As of 20 March 2020, 491 applications have been temporarily restricted until further notice to occupations listed in the ‘high demand’ section of the Tasmanian Skilled Occupation List (TSOL).

In-demand occupations:

  • Occupations critical to the country’s response to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic and economic recovery will remain in high demand.
  • Health professionals are now getting priority which was evident from an increase in visa invitations for 189, 190, 491categories.
  • Accounting and IT graduates in Australia could also benefit due to lesser competition owing to a significant anticipated decline in offshore applications in FY 20-21. Also, state nominations under 491 could be a blessing for graduates who are unable to secure an invite under the highly competitive subclass 189 or 190 streams. 

Onshore vs offshore:

  • This year is expected to yield better outcomes for onshore international students and skilled migrants, particularly those who are living in the regional areas across the country.
  • 2019 saw an increased push towards regional areas and this financial year is going to be no exception. But FY 20-21 is expected to be far more beneficial for visa hopefuls currently in Australia as opposed to those who remain stranded outside the country due to border closures.
  • The federal government’s focus is towards protecting the interests of Australians and temporary migrants who remain in the country.
  • “It is a great time for temporary visa holders who are currently in Australia and have their skillset ready to lodge their visa applications in designated regional areas where their occupations are in high demand.

Impact on international students:

  • Prime Minister Scott Morrison has said the federal government is working with the states and territories on plans to allow some international students to return on a pilot basis.
  • In a powerful ultimatum to all jurisdictions, the prime minister reiterated that the states and territories eager to allow international students back into the country will first have to fulfil the prerequisites laid down by the national cabinet.

Processing times:

  • International lockdowns to contain the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic have triggered visa processing issues across the globe, leading to ‘significant’ processing delays due unavailability of key assessment services and the consequent inability of applicants to meet visa criteria.
  • Visas continue to be processed during the coronavirus pandemic, though some applications may take longer as international shutdowns have made it difficult to source supplementary information like health and criminal history checks.
  • Offshore applicants – be it for partners, students, parents, skilled migrants, or visitors – they will continue to feel the pinch until all source countries find a way to contain the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.

Net overseas migration trends:

  • With international border closures expected to be in place until next year, the federal government expects net overseas migration to fall to just 35,000 in 2020-21 – but it needs to be between 160,000 and 220,000 to maintain GDP per capita growth.
  • This means the total number of migrants who will make Australia home this financial year, both temporary and permanent, will be far lower than it has been in a long time, as was reflected in the visa grants which fell dramatically in the past few months.
  • Migration agents claim a post-pandemic Australia will find it difficult to recover in the absence of a large number of migrants.
  • Migrants contribute to Australia’s economic growth, population, productivity and also make a significant contribution to the country’s social and cultural fabric.

Visa fees and charges:

  • Australian visa charges increase each year on 1 July in line with the consumer price index (CPI). This increase is normally around 3 to 4 per cent.
  • There is no clarity on whether visa cost will increase this year, given the unprecedented circumstances.

Certainty embedded into the Uncertainties:

Although we are in uncertain times and this is likely to continue into the future, there are certainties embedded into what is occurring.  The longer the uncertainty continues:

  • The higher the demand for a skilled workforce in Australia.
  • The more likely current barriers will be removed to attract skilled migrants.
  • Australia will have to fill the migration void suffered due to the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic.
  • Employers will be vying for the best candidates.
  • Greater and better opportunities will become available for skilled migrants.

So where to from here:

Right now is a great time to assess your own situation and we suggest you consider a new life adventure in Australia.  If you consider that is for you, or someone you know, then now is a great time for forward looking individuals to position themselves for first mover advantage for when the certainty kicks in and the opportunities abound.  

In the first instance Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Australian General Skilled Migration Invitations Closed Indefinitely

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