The Aristos Group

australia

Australia’s Suite Of Regional Work Visas

Plenty Of Opportunities With Australia’s Suite Of Regional Work Visas

There is an abundance of opportunities with Australia’s suite of Regional Work Visas and “Regional” means anywhere in Australia other than the capital cities Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane.  What is left is some of the most beautiful and best places in the world to live, work and raise a family.  Here is a breakdown of the visas available:

Skilled regional provisional visas

 

Temporary skilled visas

 

Permanent skilled visas

 

Working Holiday Maker visas

 

Pacific and seasonal work visas

We have some fantastic opportunities in regional areas so check out the jobs page on our website and Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Australian Immigration News Video December 2019 - Changes 491 visa & 494 visa Regional Rush & more!

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Regional Migration Occupations

Australian Regional Migration Occupations

Skilled visas require migrants to be working in an eligible skilled occupation. Skilled visas are those designed to grow the Australian economy by filling skills gaps or building productive capacity in the labour market. Details of the revised Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL) are available on the links below.

On 11 March 2019, the skilled migration occupation lists were updated to respond to labour market changes, and help ensure that Australian workers are given the first priority for jobs, while allowing business access to the critical skills they need to grow.

Regional employers and skilled migrants applying for regional visas have access to more occupations than are available to metropolitan areas. 

Following the 11 March 2019 changes, there are 77 additional regional occupations available on the Regional occupation list.

The following visas are available to individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia and can meet all other requirements:

The combined list specifies:

  • the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) code for each occupation. The ANZSCO provides information on the skill level of jobs, qualifications and/or experience needed to work in occupations
  • caveats which exclude the use of the occupation in certain circumstances (applies to the ENS and TSS visas only)
  • whether the occupation is included on theMedium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Regional Occupation List (ROL) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) ROL List.
  • the assessing authority for skills assessments

A current list of eligible skilled occupations can be found in a legislative instrument for the relevant visa program.

*The RSMS ROL list is a separate list of occupations that applies to the RSMS visa only.

To respond to changes in the Australian labour market and regional variations across Australia, the list is reviewed regularly by the Department of Jobs and Small Business.

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

Australian Immigration News Video December 2019 - Changes 491 visa & 494 visa Regional Rush & more!

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Regional Migration – What Are Designated Regional Areas?

Australian Regional Migration – What Are Designated Regional Areas?

Most locations in Australia outside major cities (Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) are classed as designated regional areas for migration purposes.

The regional definition is comprised of 3 categories and offers regional incentives for skilled migrants who migrate to locations classified as Category 2 ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ or Category 3 ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’:

Category 2 – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart have access to the following regional incentives:

  • Access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places
  • Priority processing of regional visas
  • Access to the Regional Occupations List – more jobs compared to non-regional lists
  • International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access additional year in Australia on a post-study work visa

Category 3 – ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’ will also have access to the dedicated 25,000 regional places, priority processing of regional visas, and the Regional Occupations List. Additional incentives include:

  • International graduates with a bachelor or higher qualification from a regional campus of a registered institution will be eligible to access an additional 2 years in Australia on a post-study work visa.
  • Priority in negotiating region-specific Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs)

Postcode List

A list of postcodes that specify designated regional areas is available and applies to the following visas:

Regional visas:

  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)*#
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
  • Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)* – designated regional areas only apply to visa holders nominated by a State and Territory government agency whose visa was granted after 16 November 2019. See other specified regions for the invited pathwayand subsequent entrant pathway.

Skilled visas:

  • Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)*
  • Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)*

Employer sponsored visas:

  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) – the Temporary Residence Transition stream of the RSMS visa remains open to transitional 457 or Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) workers.
  • Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) – if the position is located in regional Australia, the nomination fee is waived.
  • Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) – if using an occupation on the Regional Occupation List for this subclass.

Business investment visas:

  • Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa (subclass 888)
  • State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner visa (subclass 892)

Note:

# additional 5 points (from 10 -15) under the Skilled Migration Points Test if nominated to live and work in a designated regional Australia.

* 5 points if study completed in a designated regional area and meets the Australian Study Requirement.

Exceptions:

Some visas only allow work within certain industries, rather than certain areas, such as the Seasonal Worker Program.

The Working Holiday Maker program offers a second and third year visa option for people who have worked in a regional area and within an eligible industry – this is a different list to the designated regional areas. A list of postcodes for the purpose of the Working Holiday Maker Program is available for each subclass:

The Safe Haven Enterprise visa (SHEV) is a temporary protection visa for people who engage Australia’s protection obligations and may provide options for holders to apply for certain visas in Australia if they meet the SHEV pathway requirements. Areas designated as regional for SHEV arrangements are different to the list of designated regional areas for migration purposes.

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

NEW Skilled Work Regional 491 Visa & Permanent 191 Visa Pathway

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Regional Migration – Win Win Opportunities For Both Employers And Migrants

Australian Regional Migration - Win Win Opportunities For Both Employers And Migrants

The Australian Government is committed to supporting migrants to settle in regional areas.

The Australian Government has announced changes to our immigration program to strengthen our economy and boost our regional areas. The changes are:

  • 2 new skilled regional provisional visas that provide a pathway to permanent residence
  • a new skilled regional permanent resident visa
  • a refined definition of ‘regional Australia’ for migration purposes
  • additional points under the Skilled Migration Points Test for skilled migrants nominated to live and work in regional Australia
  • more options for international students who graduate from regional universities

These changes will support regional businesses and local communities thrive by getting the right skills into the right regions.

The Australian Government works closely with state, territory and local governments, and local communities, to attract migrants to regional areas. Skilled migrants settling in regional Australia have a diverse range of available occupations to match their experience, skills and qualifications.

Information sessions

​Free information sessions are being held for regional employers and interested community members. Event details will be published on our Facebook page and regional newspapers.

Date

Location

21 January 2020

Ourimbah (NSW)

4 February 2020

Port Pirie (SA)

11 February 2020

Wagga Wagga (NSW)

11 February 2020

Gingin (WA)

2 March 2020

Tamworth (NSW)

17 March 2020

Bathurst (NSW)

18 March 2020

Orange (NSW)

 

New skilled regional visas

There are 2 new skilled regional provisional visas that commenced on 16 November 2019:  

  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – for people nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) – for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia

To be eligible for permanent residence, holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to show they have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding one of these visas. They can then apply for the Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) from November 2022.

Under the changes, regional employers now have access to:

  • more regional occupations to sponsor migrants to work in regional Australia
  • priority processing of regional visa applications
  • additional points for certain points-tested migrants who are sponsored to settle in regional Australia.

Note: there is no impact for existing skilled visa holders.

International graduates studying in a regional area

From 2021, international students studying at all locations outside Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane will be offered an extension on the current two year Post-study work stream of the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa (TGV), which applies to Bachelor and Masters by coursework graduates.

Eligibility will include international students who studied at a regional campus of a metropolitan university.

The additional post-study work arrangements will become available in 2021, and will require ongoing residence in a regional area.

  • International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 2 will be eligible for an additional year on a second Temporary Graduate visa.
  • International graduates who have studied and lived in Category 3 will be eligible for an additional two years on a second Temporary Graduate visa.

The initiative will provide an additional incentive for international students to study at a regional institution and to live in regional areas post-study, boosting diversity and prosperity in regional Australia.

At the same time, it will help ease growing infrastructure pressures in our major cities.

There is no change to Student visas. This option is available as an initiative for international students to study and live in regional Australia

Eligible regional areas

The regional definition is comprised of the following 3 categories:

  • Category 1 – ‘Major Cities’ of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane do not receive any regional incentives
  • Category 2 – ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ of Perth, Adelaide, the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast, Canberra, Newcastle/Lake Macquarie, Wollongong/Illawarra, Geelong and Hobart
  • Category 3 – ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’

The regional definition offers regional incentives for skilled migrants who migrate to locations classified as Category 2 ‘Cities and Major Regional Centres’ or Category 3 ‘Regional Centres and Other Regional Areas’.

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

Australia planning to increase regional migration intake | 7NEWS

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Visas Designed To Assist Regional Employers And Regional Communities

Employ or sponsor someone

The Australian government is assisting regional employers and regional communities through providing access to a wide range of visas tailored to meet their needs.

The new regional provisional visas will add to existing programs that provide a range of migration options to employers in regional Australia and people nominated for visas in regional Australia.

There will also be greater incentives for regional employers to nominate skilled workers, additional points for points-tested migrants who want to settle in regional Australia, and faster processing of skilled people nominated by employers in regional areas.

Australia gives some visa holders permission to work in Australia. You can:

  • employ or sponsor skilled workers who are already in Australia and have a visa that allows them to work
  • employ or sponsor other skilled workers who may be in Australia on another type of visa which does not currently allow them to work
  • sponsor skilled workers to come to Australia to work for you

Existing visa holders who are allowed to work in Australia might have work restrictions on their visas such as:

  • working for a specific employer or in a certain place – these visa holders may already be sponsored and employed by an employer in Australia
  • restricted to working for a specific number of hours per week such as an existing Student visa holder
  • restrictions on how long they may work for a particular employer such as a Working Holiday visa holder

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

Australian Immigration News Video December 2019 - Changes 491 visa & 494 visa Regional Rush & more!

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Businesses – Information RE: Company Specific Labour Agreements

Company Specific Labour Agreements

The company-specific labour agreement is for an employer where:

  • a genuine skills need is not already covered by an industry labour agreement and
  • a designated area migration agreement or project agreement is not in place

 

Show your skill needs:

You must show that you have an exceptional need that cannot be met by Australian workers. Provide evidence:

  • of the niche skills you seek from overseas
  • of your many and diverse recruitment efforts
  • showing a detailed job description including tasks

 

The positions you seek to fill with workers from overseas are for skilled labour. They are not for unskilled labour. The positions must be:

  • at the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupation skill level1 to 4 
  • not an eligible occupation on the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) 

 

The skilled workers from overseas generally must:

  • have at least 2 years of relevant work experience
  • meet the ANZSCO skill requirements for that occupation
  • meet any industry registration or licensing requirements
  • You must also meet the salary and employment conditions of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482).

 

Show your workforce needs:

The company-specific labour agreement is a temporary solution only. You must show that:

  • the workers from overseas will not be more than one-third of your total workforce
  • you have a plan in place to train and employ Australians so you do not need a future labour agreement

 

Workers from overseas must meet the English language requirements of the short-term stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). 

 

Be an Australian business with good standing:

You must:

  • be an Australian registered business with good standing
  • show that your business has been lawfully and actively operating in Australia for at least 12 months
  • show evidence of financial viability provided by a chartered or certified practicing accountant. You must show that you can support the proposed number of workers from overseas you seek
  • show that there is no adverse information about your business. You must not have broken a law in any jurisdiction of Australia, nor be under investigation for breaking the law by any appropriate authority
  • not be insolvent
  • not have provided false or misleading information in any form to any appropriate authority at any time

 

Show you have consulted with industry stakeholders:

You must also consult with all relevant stakeholders. These may include:

  • the industry body
  • the relevant union
  • any community group the agreement impacts, such as schools or health services

 

Provide the following information to stakeholders:

  • number of workers from overseas in each year of the agreement, and their occupations
  • location of their workplace
  • the proposed salary, relevant awards and how you came to this amount
  • any concessions you seek to the Temporary Skill Shortage program
  • details of training for your Australian workforce to reduce your reliance on workers from overseas

 

Give stakeholders 10 working days to respond. Follow up if there is no response and provide a further 5 working days for a response. Provide detailed information on your stakeholder consultation when you lodge your labour agreement request.

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

10 Things About an Employer Sponsored RSMS subclass 187 Australian visa

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Australian Skilled Occupation Lists To Change – Eligibility for Certain Visas Also Likely To Change

The new Skilled Migration Occupation Lists are expected to be released in March 2020

The Australian government has released a bulletin identifying the list of occupations that are under consideration for a change in status on the Skilled Migration Occupation Lists, which are lists used to determine eligibility for the country’s skilled visa programs.

Following the government’s review, certain occupations may be removed or moved between these lists, which would impact employers’ ability to utilise the employer-based temporary and permanent visa programs.

Specifically as it relates to the Temporary Skill Shortage visa program, occupations that are moved to the Short-term Skilled Occupation List are subject to more restrictive grant periods, and importantly, do not provide visa holders with a pathway to permanent residency.

The next steps of the review include a formal submission period for commentary that will open February 2020, and the publication of the lists in March 2020.

The Australian Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business has released a bulletin identifying the list of occupations that are under consideration for a change in status on the:

  • Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)
  • Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and
  • Regional Occupation List (ROL)

Which are lists used to determine eligibility for Australia’s skilled visa programs.

Highlights of possible changes set out in the bulletin include:

Move of Geologist category. The Geologist category would move from the STSOL to the ROL – Recognition by the Department that the shortages in industries such as resources and oil and gas, which are primarily located in regional areas, are facing a real shortage of skilled labour in this category.

Move of Sales and Marketing Manager categories. The Sales and Marketing Manager categories would move from the STSOL to the MLTSSL, with a salary requirement of at least AUD 120,000 per year. This will improve the ability to attract and retain highly specialised Sales and Marketing Managers.

Move of data-related categories. New and emerging occupations such as Blockchain Manager and Data Scientists, by identifying the appropriate Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) occupations (Information and Communications Technology Project Manager and Information and Organisation Professionals respectively) to move to the MLTSSL with a salary requirement of at least AUD 90,000.

Move of care categories. Aged or Disabled Carer, Nursing Support Worker and Personal Care Assistant, previously off-list, to be added to the STSOL in recognition of the growing need for labour in the aged care sector.

Following the government’s review of the proposed changes, the addition, removal or movement of occupations between these lists impacts employers’ ability to utilise the employer-based temporary and permanent visa programs.

Specifically as it relates to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa program, occupations that are moved to the STSOL are subject to more restrictive grant periods, and importantly, do not provide visa holders with a pathway to permanent residency.

The publication of the bulletin is the most recent step in the review of the Skilled Migration Occupation lists that was announced in September 2019.

During the review a number of occupations were put forward to the Department as part of the consultation process, including Mechanical Engineering Technician, Geologist, Sales and Marketing Manager, Retail Buyer as well as emerging roles associated with Data Science and Data Analysis.

Further, written submissions were submitted that presented empirical data and evidence to support claims of skills shortages in the relevant occupations.  A number of those occupations have now been flagged in the bulletin.

The Department will review the Skilled Migration Occupation Lists to ensure they are responsive to the skills needs across Australia. A formal submission period for commentary on the lists will open February 2020.

The new Skilled Migration Occupation Lists are expected to be released in March 2020. 

We will keep you informed of the changes and likely impacts and please feel free to Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Australian Immigration News Video December 2019 - Changes 491 visa & 494 visa Regional Rush & more!

Facebook Linkedin Youtube

Visa options for South Africans wanting to migrate to Australia

There are some good options, but navigating the system is complex and can be frustrating

We will explore some of the ways you can gain permanent residency and citizenship for you and your family in Australia.  But be warned it can be difficult to know where to start and which visa to apply for.

There are generally three visa streams available for South Africans that want to migrate to Australia:

  • the family stream
  • the work stream and
  • the business or investment stream

These streams have many different visa subclasses for specific immigration situations.  It’s not a one size fits all approach.  The best advice is to get advice from someone who knows how to navigate the process and provide the best advice.  So here we go.

Family stream

If your family member is an Australian citizen or permanent resident, you could join them on a family-stream permanent residence visa. Here are two common visa categories in this stream:

Partner visas

These visas allow partners and spouses of Australian citizens and permanent residents to live in Australia permanently.  They’re separated into two categories for applying from within Australia (subclasses 820 and 801) and for applying from outside Australia (subclasses 309 and 100).  Each category has a temporary and a permanent visa, but you apply for both at the same time.

 

Parent visas

There several different subclasses of parent visas covering the spectrum of temporary and permanent stay in the country. The permanent options require you to pass the balance of family test, meaning that more than half of your children need to be Australian citizens or permanent residents.

One visa that doesn’t hinge on this requirement and has relatively low processing times compared to permanent visas is the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870). This allows parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents to visit for up to five years at a time, but unfortunately won’t lead to permanent residence.  There’s also the option of applying for one of the permanent visas and staying in Australia on a bridging visa while you wait for approval.

 

 

Work stream

If you’re looking to live and work in Australia permanently, you can do so with a work visa.

 

Employer-sponsored visas

This category of visas allows an Australian employer to sponsor you to work in the country. The Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) requires you to have an occupation on the list of eligible skilled occupations.  There’s also a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) for jobs on the skilled shortage list. This can potentially lead to permanent residence.

 

Skilled visas

The Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) is a popular route that lets you live and work anywhere in Australia. You don’t need job offer for this visa – eligibility works on a points system. If you can get enough points based on age, work experience and education level, you can apply.

If you fall short of the requirements of the independent visa, you may still be eligible for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190). You’ll need a nomination from an Australian state or territory, which you can get by having an occupation in demand for that region.

A third option for recent engineering graduates is the Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476). You’ll need to be under 31 and have completed your engineering degree within the past two years.

 

 

Business or investment stream

Setting up a business or investing in Australia is an excellent way to gain permanent residency if you have the means to do so.  The Business Talent visa (subclass 132) is perfect for business owners, investors or property developers looking to gain permanent residency in Australia. A popular route is to form or join a property development company in the country to qualify.

Other options include the Business Innovation and Investment visas (subclasses 188 and 888). There are various streams that fall under this category, depending on if you’re investing a large sum or you’re an entrepreneur.

 

Other options

If you don’t qualify for any of the various permanent residence visas on offer in the family, work or business visa streams, there are some other ways to qualify for permanent residency. These include the new skilled regional temporary visa, or the Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 491 and 858).

The Distinguished Talent visa is granted in the case of internationally recognised, exceptional and outstanding achievement in eligible fields, including the arts, academia, research, sport or a profession.

 

The path to an Australian passport

Once you’ve been in Australia for a while, you may be eligible to become an Australian citizen if you meet all the requirements.  You must have spent four years in Australia on a valid visa and have held permanent residency for 12 months before applying. There’s also a “good character” assessment and a citizenship test with an English language requirement. This route is called citizenship by conferral.

If your parent is or was an Australian citizen and you weren’t born in the country, you can gain citizenship by descent.

We work closely with competent visa lawyers and other value chain partners so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

The 10 Best Places To Live In Australia | Study, Job Opportunities

Facebook Linkedin Youtube