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migration

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

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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.

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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

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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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Australia – Update on Australian Government Covid-19 Immigration response

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Australia – Update on Australian Government Covid-19 Immigration response

The situation

A travel ban is currently in place affecting non-citizens and non-residents of Australia, with limited concessions available for immediate family members of Australians and New Zealand Citizens usually resident in Australia. The Australian Government has provided further guidance on additional limited exemptions, including for individuals providing critical or essential services or on compassionate grounds.

Effective 09:00pm AEDT, Friday 20 March 2020, non-citizens and non-permanent residents were banned from entering Australia. Australian citizens, permanent residents and their direct family members are still permitted to enter Australia but are required to self-isolate for 14 days. New Zealand citizens who are usually resident in Australia are also permitted to enter, again with the requirement to self-isolate for 14 days.


A closer look

The Prime Minister has indicated that additional limited exemptions to the travel ban will be available focussed on individuals providing ‘critical or essential services or on compassionate grounds’.

The Department has now released the following additional limited guidance of circumstances where the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force may consider an additional exemption in relation to the travel bans:

  • Foreign nationals travelling at the invitation of the Australian Commonwealth Government to assist in the COVID-19 response or whose entry would be in the national interest;
  • Critical medical services, including air ambulance and delivery of supplies, that regularly arrive into Australia from international ports;
  • Persons with critical skills (for example, medical specialists, engineers, marine pilots and crews) by exception;
  • Diplomats accredited to Australia and currently resident in Australia, and their immediate family;
  • Case-by-case exceptions may also be granted for humanitarian or compassionate reasons. This may include separation of immediate family members who are holders of temporary work (e.g. TSS) or other longer term visas.

In all cases, sufficient evidence must be provided in support of the request to exercise the discretion to grant relief in particular circumstances. Travel to Australia should not be attempted until the approval of the specific exemption.


Passengers transiting through Australia

Certain nationalities remain eligible to transit through Australia without a visa. For these passengers, the transits must occur on the same day as arrival and passengers must remain in the sterile transit area of the relevant Australian airport.

The Department has confirmed that:

  • The above transit exemptions do not apply to any foreign nationals who have been in China, Iran, the republic of Korea or Italy in the last 14 days;
  • Foreign nationals departing New Zealand can only transit Australia to return home between 12:00 AEDST 21 March 2020 and 11:59 AEDST 24 March 2020. At the end of this period, this exemption is no longer valid; and
  • Citizens of the following Pacific countries can transit through Australia to return home: Cook Islands, Nauru, Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, French Polynesia, New Zealand, Timor Leste, Kiribati, Niue, Tonga, Marshall Islands, Palau Tuvalu, Micronesia Papua, New Guinea and Vanuatu.

The Virus: updates on COVID-19 for 20 March | ABC News

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