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Australia Launches Global Talent Independent (GTI) Program

Australia Wants Talent – You Got It, We Want It!!

Australia has officially launched the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program. The program is aimed at targeting highly skilled and talented people across the globe.

Last year, the Australian Government committed to ensuring that businesses in Australia have access to the best and brightest talent to help grow a stronger economy. 

As part of the commitment, the Government allocated up to 5,000 permanent places for global talent in the 2019–20 Migration Program year. 

Through the Global Talent Program, Australia is seeking skilled and specialised individuals who are at the top of their field in growth industries and who can provide opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to share innovative ideas, skills and experience.

The Global Talent Program offers a permanent visa, to live and work anywhere in Australia– with applicants receiving a personalised service to guide them through the process.

Global Talent Officers are located in Berlin, Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Singapore, and Washington DC. They work across a number of countries in their region, and attend key industry events and expos to promote the program.

Target sectors are:

  • AgTech
  • Space and Advanced Manufacturing
  • FinTech
  • Energy and Mining Technology
  • MedTech
  • Cyber Security
  • Quantum Information, Advanced Digital, Data Science and ICT

For more information on the Global Talent Independent Program.

Interested?

Contact us for a confidential discussion.

Australian Global Talent Independent Program

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The UK Election Is Done And Dusted – So Where Does That Leave The NHS?

But What Happens Now For The NHS?

So the results are in and the conservatives have won a large majority in the election, meaning Boris Johnson will remain as Prime Minister and the Tory manifesto will be implemented, but what happens now for the NHS?

Their strengthened position in Parliament means there are no excuses for them to be able to move forward with implementing their manifesto pledges.  These include items on Brexit, the environment, crime and the NHS.  But let’s wait and see.

One of the key factors in the outcome of the election has been the future of the NHS, with all parties pledging to make changes, increase funding or aid the health service in one way or another.  It was a campaigning point for many, with promises to safeguard the National Health Service for future generations.

Increasing staffing numbers, reducing waiting times and solving the social care crisis were among pledges given in manifestos across the political spectrum.  In the Conservative manifesto, there were several aims for the NHS and social care.  These include:

  • 50,000 extra nurses to be recruited
  • 6,000 more doctors in GP surgeries
  • 6,000 more primary care staff like physiotherapists and pharmacists
  • 50 million extra GP appointments a year increasing the current average by 15 percent
  • £33.9 billion extra funding a year for NHS
  • Cross-party agreement sought to solve social care crisis
  • 40 new hospitals
  • Free hospital parking for selected patients and staff
  • Reintroduction of bursaries of up to £8,000, which were cut four years ago, to help training nurses with living costs
  • An extra £1 billion of funding for more social care and better infrastructure.
  • Pass legislation to ensure an extra £33.9billion per year is put into the NHS by law.

In addition to this the conservatives are also promising an immigration system based upon the Australian model.  On the surface it sounds fantastic for both short and long term career opportunities for healthcare professionals and we are well placed to assist you in this regard with representation in Australia, South Africa and the UK.

However it is only early days and governments are inherently slow to act and furthermore not deliver on their election promises. In a previous blog post we posed the question “Should I stay or should I go” whether already inside the UK thinking about staying or leaving, or outside the UK thinking about going there or staying where you are, still remains relevant and our recommendation is still the same – WAIT AND SEE – but this doesn’t necessarily mean do nothing.  We suggest you prepare early and position yourself for the opportunities that may arise either inside or outside the UK.  That’s where we can assist.  Please do not hesitate in contacting us for a confidential discussion.

Johnson Calls NHS the Conservative Government’s ‘Top Priority’

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BIG Opportunities Available In Australia With Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

So What Are Australian Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

A Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) is a formal agreement between the Australian Government and a regional, state or territory authority. It provides access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program. DAMAs operate under an agreement-based framework, providing flexibility for regions to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions.

A DAMA is a two-tier framework covering a defined regional area. The first tier is an overarching five-year deed of agreement (head agreement) with the region’s representative. The second tier comprises individual labour agreements with employers under the settings of the head agreement for that region.

DAMA labour agreements are between the Australian Government and endorsed employers operating within the relevant region. They are:

  • generally in effect for five years and
  • use the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) and Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa programs.

Employers must seek and gain endorsement from the Designated Area Representative before lodging a labour agreement request.

Under the DAMA framework, employers in designated areas experiencing skills and labour shortages can sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers. Individuals cannot directly access a DAMA. Individuals need to be sponsored:

  • by an employer operating in a designated region.
  • for an occupation that is specified in the head agreement.

Employers must demonstrate a genuine attempt to recruit Australians prior to getting access to a DAMA.

Australia currently has seven DAMAs in place in the below regions.  The links provide detailed information including the occupations included in the agreement.

Checkout the above links and if you are interested in any or all of the DAMA’s then contact us for a confidential discussion.

If you know anyone who may be interested then refer them and be rewarded.

Northern Immigration Australia - ABC News NT - Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) II

Designated Area Migration Agreement - DAMA

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Blog Series – Working In The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Part 2

Part 2 – You have a job, but found a better one within six months - What happens then?

Under Article 1 of Ministerial Decree No. 766 of 2015, an employee whose employment was terminated because of expiry of his contract, whether limited or non-limited can get a new work permit when he wishes to join new employment.

An employee can also get a new work permit for all limited and unlimited contracts if:

It is determined whether the employer has failed to meet the legal and contractual obligations, including but not limited to failure to pay wages for more than 60 days.

MoHRE confirms that the employer has not provided work due to the firm being inactive for more than two months, and if the worker reports to the ministry during this period.

The final ruling in a labour case (which MoHRE refers to the Labour Court on the basis of a complaint) is in favour of the employee and wherein the case pertains to early termination or outstanding wages, which are less than two months of dues for end of service.

But, again other than just the two types of contracts, you also have the two categories of skilled and unskilled workers – information you need to know:

New permits for unskilled workers

A new permit can be granted when both the worker and the employer mutually consent to terminating the contract during the term provided that the worker has completed at least six months’ employment.

The ministerial decree notes that a new permit can be issued to a worker whose employer terminated him unfairly, without the need to complete six months.

New permits for skilled workers

The requirement of six months’ employment is waived if workers qualify for the skill set series 1, 2 or 3 as classified by the ministerial decree, which denotes holding a university degree, post-secondary diploma or high school diploma respectively. This is applicable if the employee fulfills his contractual commitments.

Once the permit comes through, the process starts for applying for the work visa that will allow you to be a working resident in the UAE:

In general, expatriate employees are issued residency visa for one year or two years based on their labour contract. Also, you have an open and closed contract.  In case of an open contract, it gets renewed as many times as the company would like to keep you in their employ.  A closed contract has a fixed tenure.

The duration of residence visa depends on the type of sponsor and the person sponsored. It is issued for one, or two or three years. Visa is renewed subject to conditions similar to those of fresh visas.

Types of Visa in the UAE. Moving to Dubai

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Thinking Of Moving To The UK To Work In The NHS? – It Might Be Good Timing

The Tory’s Have A Plan To Attract More NHS Staff From Abroad

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 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 if they are returned to power on 12 December.

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.

The cost of applying for a visa would also be reduced from £928 to £464 for medical professionals, and they would be guaranteed a decision within two weeks, under Tory plans.  Those granted an NHS visa would also be allowed to pay the annual £400 compulsory health insurance charge out of their salary.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the proposals would make it easier for “talented” medical staff to get visas.

The Conservatives have already announced a fast-track visa route to attract specialists in science, engineering and technology.  They have also previously said they will scrap the cap on the number of skilled workers, such as doctors, from the EU and elsewhere, after Brexit.  The party is considering scrapping the minimum salary requirement of £30,000 for skilled migrants seeking five-year visas.

When asked if there would be more people from overseas working in the UK under a future Conservative government, Home Secretary Priti Patel did not answer directly but said the public wanted “controlled immigration”.

Finding staff from outside the UK to come to work in the health service is as important as ever.  But those who wish to do so are often surprised at the fees they have to pay for the privilege.  To address this, the Conservatives plan to halve the £928 visa cost for NHS staff and their dependents.  But the £400 surcharge to cover their healthcare costs if they are from outside the EU won’t be reduced, nor will the levy paid by the NHS and other employers if they hire foreign workers.  So it may be a move in the right direction, but if the health service badly needs trained doctors, nurses and others from abroad, it might be asked why they should pay any fees for visas or healthcare?

The Cavendish Coalition, representing a range of health and care organisations, says any steps towards tackling the high vacancy rate are welcome, but by not covering social care the policy is not ambitious enough.  These groups want any incoming government to recruit and employ any necessary workers from outside the UK “without criteria”.  The Royal College of Nursing said a failure to train enough nurses was forcing the NHS to “recruit overseas in the short-term”.

RCN chief executive Dame Donna Kinnair said she wanted to see a fairer immigration system that valued skills and did not fixate on “arbitrary targets” and “There are tens of thousands of unfilled nursing jobs and we need more ambitious plans than this to address it.”  She added it was “immoral and heartless” to continue to make nurses contribute towards “the same services they keep running” through the health insurance charge.  “It should be abolished, not spread out every month,” she said.

Labour also attacked the lack of detail in the Conservative plans.  Shadow home secretary Diane Abbott said: “The Tories are tying themselves in knots over immigration. They use dog-whistle anti-migrant rhetoric but are forced to accept we need migrant workers for key sectors, not just the NHS, but many more besides.  “This policy is full of holes, with nothing to say about the nurses earning below their income threshold, as well as all the cooks, cleaners, hospital porters and others who are vital to hospitals, and nothing at all about their right to bring family members here.  “Labour’s immigration policy is rational and fair and will prioritise attracting the people we need, and treat them as human beings.”

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokeswoman Christine Jardine said that, even with the visa application costs reduced for medical professionals, the £464 charge still amounted to a “nurse tax”.

More than 12% of the NHS workforce reported their nationality as not British, according to a report published last year.

The biggest group of foreign NHS workers are from the EU – 56 in every 1,000 – but, the report added, the number of new staff coming from the EU is falling, and that this decline particularly applies to nurses.

For more information see the below videos.

We have representation on the ground in the UK so contact us for a confidential discussion.

Austerity, racism, the NHS and Brexit: Corbyn and Johnson clash in BBC debate

Brexit and the NHS - explained in 4 mins by a doctor on the front line

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Blog Series – Working In The United Arab Emirates (UAE) – Part 1

Part 1 – Introduction & Everything You Need To Know About Getting A Work Permit In The UAE

Expats from all over the world have been, and are attracted to seeking career opportunities in the UAE.  In fact our managing partners have done so.

As a result of fielding many enquiries about living and working there, how to secure a position etc we thought we would produce a series of blog posts to answer the many questions.

We will publish a weekly blog post every Saturday to provide you with some lazy weekend reading for a period of time, chunking down everything you need to know about working in the UAE. 

So here we go, let’s start with:

  • A snapshot of the UAE, and
  • The work permit.

The United Arab Emirates, is a country in Western Asia at the southeast end of the Arabian Peninsula sitting  on the Persian Gulf.  The monarchy is a federation of seven (7) emirates comprising the capital Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm Al Quwain.  Each emirate is governed by a ruler.  In 2013 the population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million were Emirati citizens and 7.8million expats.  That’s a whopping expat population of 83%, so there’s a well worn track leading there regardless of where you come from.

If you are an expatriate and want to work in the UAE, then you cannot do so without a visa

It starts with securing a position, which can be achieved via a range of classified sites, or by engaging with a recruitment consultancy such as “The Aristos Group”. Generally securing a position occurs in one of three ways:

  1. Securing a position from overseas;
  2. Already there on a visit/tourist visa and find a job; or
  3. Already have a job there but are moving to another company.

Regardless of how you secure the position here is the process:

  • Obtaining a ‘work permit’ from the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE).
  • The employer who is the sponsoring company has to bring you in on this permit first, following which they will convert it into a residency visa.
  • The work permit allows the holder to enter the UAE for employment, and it is valid for two months from the date of issue.
  • After the employee enters the UAE on the basis of the work permit, the sponsoring company arranges to complete the formalities of medical testing, obtaining UAE Resident Identity (Emirates ID) Card, Labour Card and stamping the UAE Residency Visa on your passport within 60 days.
  • The UAE Residency Visa on the employee’s passport denotes the passport holder is sponsored by the company he/she is employed by.
  • All costs for the Work Permit, medical testing, Emirates ID and UAE Residency Visa are borne by the employer.
  • After the employee receives a visa, he/she can sponsor his/her family members and bring them into the country.
  • If you are on a tourist/visit visa, then you can obtain a work permit by exiting the UAE, be it to a neighbouring or your home country.  There are airlines offering this ‘visa run’ facility on the Dubai-Oman-Dubai leg, such as Air Arabia and Fly Dubai.
  • The other option for the company is that the status can be changed inside the country through a ‘Changed Status’ process by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreign Affairs (GDFRA) of the emirate that the company is located in, which works in tandem with the federal authority MoHRE.

Important note

Signing employment contract from abroad:

  • If you are hired from overseas, the MoHRE and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation have set up centres outside the UAE. At the centres, you are able to discover your rights, duties and terms and conditions of employment and all privileges, in the language you understand.
  • This mechanism ensures a transparent contractual relationship between employers and employees and prevents any fraudulent attempt to replace job offers upon the arrival of the employee in the UAE.

What are the documents a company will need from you to apply for a work permit?

  • A colour photograph with a white background.
  • A copy of your passport, which has to be valid for a minimum of six months.
  • If evidence of academic qualifications is required (post-secondary diploma, university degree or equivalent), a copy authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the home country is necessary.
  • A letter of approval from the relevant authority is necessary in case of a physician, pharmacist, nurse, and teacher (your employer will guide you on it).
  • You cannot be below the age of 18 years.
  • Your qualifications have to be commensurate with the company’s activity.

If everything is in order and your employer has followed the due process, you should get a work permit issued within two weeks.

 

Age Limits – You cannot get a work permit if you are below 18 years however there is no maximum age limit.

  • The UAE’s Labour Law No. 8 of 1980, as amended does not specify a particular age to terminate employment contracts on the basis of age or seniority.
  • As per Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), the fees for issuing an initial approval for a work permit for those who are 65 and above is AED 5,000 every two years.

So there you have it – The first step in the journey.  See you next week.  

Between now and then we suggest you have a look at the video below,  have a look online at different sites for suitable positions, conduct due diligence on cost of living, local laws etc, check out our “JOBS” and “ABOUT” page and also have a read of a previous BLOG Post on our service offering and contact us for a confidential discussion if you wish.

Have a great weekend.

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

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:

  1. A skilled employer-sponsored regional visa for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia and
  2. 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

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

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

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