Howard Johnson

Opportunity Of A Lifetime – Australia’s New Regional Visa Program Has Been Launched

6 December, 2019

Migrants Are Being Encouraged To Settle In Regional Areas Under An Australian Government Initiative

Migrants are being encouraged to settle in regional areas under an Australian Government initiative to bust congestion in the major cities and support regional economies. Two new skilled visas have been rolled out, which provide skilled migrants with the opportunity to live and work regionally for three years and then gain access to permanent residency instead of having to wait the normal four years. Great news if you are looking for a new life with great career opportunities, a buoyant economy, safe environment, stunning landscapes and a relaxed lifestyle.

Immigration Minister David Coleman said the new visas would help ease population pressures on Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and give regional communities access to skilled workers. “We are promoting growth in those regional areas that need more people, by requiring migrants to live and work in a regional area for at least three years. We are encouraging them to put down roots in those communities, meaning they are more likely to stay long term.”

The two new regional visas will also be introduced including:

A skilled employer-sponsored regional visa for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia and
A skilled work regional visa, for people who are nominated by a state or territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.

The Federal government has allocated 25,000 places for the regional visas.

When the word regional is mentioned it tends to conjure an image in one’s mind of a remote location out the back of nowhere. Not so under this initiative. Both the Gold Coast (pictured above) and Perth Western Australia are included as regional areas. In fact everywhere in Australia outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane are designated as regional for the purposes regional migration visas. We have included videos of both locations below to provide you with an understanding of what regional means under this initiative.

Regional visas will also receive priority processing and have access to a wider range of jobs than those applying to migrate to major cities. The Federal government has deployed a team of Regional Outreach Officers to support regional employers and says there was a 124 per cent increase in the number of regional visas granted in the first quarter of this year.

This is potentially a once in a lifetime opportunity for forward thinking individuals who are looking for a new life adventure for themselves and those near and dear to them.

We suggest you aggressively pursue this opportunity as once it has fulfilled its purpose it is likely to be taken off the table.

We are working with a portfolio of clients who have numerous opportunities across a range of skill sets and qualifications nationally, which includes many regional areas. Contact us for a free consultation, we are here to help.

A full list of eligible occupations can be found at the Department of Home Affairs website.

Gold Coast - Queensland

Perth - Western Australia

The Brexit Conundrum – Should I Stay Or Should I Go??

5 December, 2019

Whether You’re In the UK Or Elsewhere, The Same Question Applies!!

See if you can work this out, we’ve tried and we can’t.

So far in the UK election campaign, migration has largely bubbled under the surface of public debate, given the overriding focus on the parties’ spending plans and the ongoing clashes over Brexit. But a study of the party’s manifestos suggests that, despite this lack of focus, the election is almost certain to be a turning point for migration policy. The main parties are pledging a new direction on migration, signalling a difference in approach from Theresa May’s punitive and restrictive agenda. Yet while the direction is broadly positive, the detail is sorely lacking.

The Conservatives say they will make it easier for doctors and nurses from around the world to work in the UK after Brexit, if they win the election. The party would introduce an “NHS visa” as part of a promised “points-based immigration system”. But Labour said the policy was “full of holes,” with nothing to say about low-paid nurses and other hospital staff. And the Royal College of Nursing said “more ambitious” plans were needed to address NHS staffing shortages.

The Conservatives say they also plan to end free movement of workers from EU countries when the UK leaves the EU – something they have promised will happen on 31 January 2020 if they are returned to power on 12 December 2019. The party would introduce a “points-based system” for migrant workers from EU and non-EU countries. It has yet to spell out in detail how this will work – but it has announced that extra points will be awarded for coming to work in the NHS.

Furthermore this time round, there is a new liberal tone to the agenda, the much-derided net migration target has been jettisoned and there are a range of proposals intended to liberalise the system, from a fast-track visa for NHS professionals to a post-study work route for international students and a start-up visa for entrepreneurs.

The manifesto promises a new ‘Australian-style’ points-based system. This is a popular idea with voters, but it’s hard to shake the feeling that this is more a slogan than a policy – one intended to symbolise a hard-line approach to immigration while simultaneously offering reassuring signals to business. How this plays out in practice is less clear.

On the one hand, a points-based system could signal a shift towards introducing faster pathways to settlement, greater powers for nations and regions to determine their own skills needs, and new visa routes that prioritise the personal characteristics of applicants over stringent salary requirements – all hallmarks of the Australian model. On the other hand, it could signal a more selective approach, heaping on additional requirements for migrants to make it harder to enter the UK for work.

The Liberal Democrats propose to replace visas for skilled workers with a ‘more flexible merit-based system’. But this leaves open a whole host of questions relating to how such a policy should work in practice – and how indeed it differs from the Conservatives’ proposal for an ‘Australian-style’ points-based system.

There is a welcome recognition that arbitrary numerical targets have failed. There is a renewed focus on developing an immigration system that supports the UK’s economic ambitions. One thing for sure is there will be plenty of blanks to fill in for future immigration policy, no matter who wins on the 12th of December.

Don’t discard the concern of British expats either. There has been a surge in expat voter registrations which is now around the 40,000 mark, which could see a record number of expats voting in what is being termed the Brexit election. The outcome of the election could have a significant impact on their lives. See the below video.

So whether you are in the UK wondering whether you should stay or go, or outside the UK wondering whether you should stay where you are, or go to the UK, all we can say is you be the judge and if you can work it out with some clarity, then please let us know. We think the best advice at the moment is to wait and see. See the below links to add a bit more confusion.

https://lnkd.in/gM5EVGG

https://lnkd.in/gqKCpTD

https://lnkd.in/gS_tfqE

Migration Visa Guide For Australian Businesses

4 December, 2019

Employers Now Have More Visa Options To Choose From For Sponsorship

Employers now have more visa options to choose from when considering the sponsorship of overseas workers and may find they require more than one subclass to achieve recruitment outcomes. Options available include:

subclass 400 – useful for short term, highly specialised work of no more than six months. This visa is often used by businesses with international offices which require an overseas employee to undertake a short term project in Australia.

subclass 408 (Exchange Arrangement Stream) – useful for businesses with overseas offices wanting to provide reciprocal staff exchange opportunities. This visa can be granted for up to two years.

subclass 482 (Temporary Skill Shortage) – the most common employer sponsored visa allowing businesses to sponsor skilled workers for up to four years. A pathway to permanent residence only exists for occupations on the medium term occupation list.

subclass 494 – commenced from 16 November 2019, this visa is specifically for businesses operating in regional Australia, which now includes Perth and the Gold Coast. This visa offers a much larger occupation list, a pathway to permanent residence and a five year visa

Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) – operate in regions of Australia which have entered into a formal agreement with the Australian government providing flexibility for those regions to respond to economic and labour market conditions. DAMA’s use of the subclass 482 visa however can provide concessions to the market salary, English language, skills, and occupations which may not be available under other programs. Each of the six approved DAMA regions have their own specific occupation lists which can include semi-skilled positions.

labour agreements – can be negotiated by an industry or an individual business to provide concessions for occupations, market salary, English language etc. There are already a number of industry templates available to the meat, pork and dairy industry as well as for fishing and fine dining restaurants. These agreements use the subclass 482 and 494 visas.

Global Talent Employer Sponsored – for highly-skilled niche positions that cannot be filled through other standard visa programs. This program is useful for businesses operating in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields where they want to employ workers who can help innovate in an established business, or for start-ups in a STEM field.

With so many options to choose from, how do you know which one is right for your business?
That will depend on the position, its location, and long term objectives.

Please Note: It is important to remember that visa conditions will differ from subclass to subclass and so too will sponsorship obligations.

Please don not hesitate in contacting us if you have any enquiries or require assistance regarding the visa system.

Australia Has Simplified The Registration Process For Internationally Qualified Nurses And Midwives.

3 December, 2019

Great News - The Nursing And Midwifery Board Australia (NMBA) Has Simplified The Registration Process For Internationally Qualified Nurses And Midwives.

Australia is Transitioning To A New Streamlined Assessment Model For Internationally Qualified Nurses And Midwives

This is absolutely great news for you Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNMs) out there – As part of its public protection role, the NMBA in partnership with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is responsible for assessing registration applications from IQNMs to ensure they are suitably trained and qualified for registration in Australia. The NMBA is moving to a new permanent approach in the assessment of IQNMs. Changes under the new model include a reduction in the assessment criteria from eight to three. This change dramatically streamlines the assessment process. And it keeps getting better.

In addition in early 2020, the NMBA will also transition to an outcomes-based assessment (OBA) for IQNMs who hold a qualification that is relevant but not substantially equivalent or based on similar competencies to an Australian approved qualification (and who meet the mandatory registration standards). This will replace the current need for bridging programs, which significantly reduces the time and expense of gaining registration to be able to practice your profession in Australia.

But wait there’s more. If you are from a country Australia recognises as an English first language speaking country there is no requirement for you to have to undertake the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Recognised countries include Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Australia is currently experiencing a shortage of healthcare professionals across many specialties. It is recognised, a skilled workforce is essential to the future success of the Australian Healthcare system and this is great news for you.

Accordingly there are many opportunities for international healthcare professionals and this is attracting talented and enthusiastic professionals to Australia, drawn by our high quality of life, stunning landscape, great climate, favourable employment conditions and the wide range of opportunities for personal and career growth.

We at The Aristos Group are working closely with employers and candidates alike to provide a highly customised service to ensure we match your skills and preferences with the ideal employer, location and role. We make the process easy for healthcare professionals wanting to move and work in Australia and our service is absolutely free to you. Contact us today for a confidential discussion. What’s more, why not refer family, friends or colleagues to share in this exciting adventure and be rewarded.

Welcome To The Aristos Group

2 December, 2019

OUR SERVICE OFFERING IN THE HEALTHCARE SECTOR

Healthcare professionals are currently in high demand in Australia and this trend is predicted to continue far into the future. In fact current workforce planning projections estimate by the year 2025 Australia’s shortfall in the nursing profession alone will be 100,000+.

Although the career opportunities are numerous and varied, there are a vast range of other factors to be taken into account when deciding whether the move is a good one.

Furthermore just getting yourself recruitment ready takes a lot of work, knowledge and coordination. It can be a mine field deconstructing the process requirements and becoming compliant to be able to practice in Australia. That’s where we come in.

This is our service offering and commitment to you when you embark on the journey with us.

We are currently working with a number and range of healthcare providers in Australia who are seeking healthcare professionals and medical practitioners across a broad range of skills and qualifications.

For candidates, history demonstrates the process will take some time to secure the registrations necessary to practice in Australia. It is difficult to quantify the time it will exactly take, as it very much depends on how responsive you the candidate is, and the amount of time it will take service providers your side to provide you with the information you require, such as copies of qualifications, practice history evidence etc. Furthermore the registration authorities in Australia take varying amounts of time to process your application dependent upon their prevailing workload.

Once we are in possession of the information we require from you, we work with our clients to pursue the best possible position(s) for you, based upon insights you provide us, and ideally provide you with a range of options. We do this concurrently with the application process to ideally have the registration process and position opportunities coincide, resulting in a successful conclusion for all parties.

Having international representation including Australia, enables us to provide you with a highly customised and personal service. We work closely with you along the entire journey. Our service offering includes:

Providing you with all the information and support to enable you to make an informed decision regarding career opportunities and your future.
Providing you with access to proprietary online resources, enabling you to deconstruct the complexity and streamline the processes required, to enable you and those important to you to transition to a new and exciting part of your life. This includes suites of online tutorials to assist you in:
1. Preparing an outstanding and compliant CV, that not only complies with the requirements of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA), but also presents you favourably to prospective employers.
2. Deconstructing the complexity and streamlining the processes required to achieve AHPRA registration. This process is highly complex and our system deconstructs it to a simple step by step process.
3. Preparing and coaching you for arguably the most important part of the process – The interview.
Regularly providing you with up to date information, intelligence and career opportunities through social media channels.
Being available to you for personal contact.
Collating and preparing your documentation and information, which includes your qualifications, skills and experience as well as your unique personal circumstances, and presenting that in a professional manner on your behalf.
Where possible negotiating corporate discounts for you with service providers required during the entire process.
Assisting you in the AHPRA registration process by being your “Authorised Agent” in Australia. This enables us to communicate with AHPRA on your behalf whilst they are considering your application, reducing time and stress for you.
Meeting with prospective employers to not only pursue the best possible career option for you, but also pursue the best possible options that give consideration to your unique personal circumstances, such as broader family considerations.
Finding you position(s) to apply for.
Arranging and coaching you for the interview.
Negotiating the best possible employment conditions, including relocation allowance and reimbursement of AHPRA registration expenses, if and when you are successful at interview.
Providing you with necessary information to prepare for your move.
Assisting you in domiciling into your new environment when you arrive.
Longer term career care once you are established here.

The cost of this service to you is absolutely zero.

So potentially the only thing standing between you and fantastic career opportunities, great lifestyle and a secure future for you and your family, is contacting us for a free confidential consultation. See our contact details and links below.

Why not “Come Live Our Philosophy”