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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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It appears Australia’s economy has weathered the worst of the COVID-19 storm

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It appears Australia’s economy has weathered the worst of the COVID-19 storm

Good news for the Australian economy as weekly job losses slow.  New employment data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows it appears Australia’s economy has weathered the worst of the COVID-19 storm.  The ABS is now releasing results fortnightly to more accurately account for the dramatic changes, with the latest figures showing the pace of job losses in the economy has started to slow.

Over the seven week period from mid-March (stage-two lockdown rules were enacted on March 22) to early May, total payrolls declined by 7.3 per cent. The steepest falls were in the two largest state economies, NSW and Victoria, where job losses totalled 7.7 per cent and 8.4 per cent respectively.

However the latest results show a further slowing in the fall in COVID-19 job losses between mid-April and early May.  Job numbers declined by 1.1 per cent for the week ended May 2, up slightly from 0.9 per cent in the week ended April 25.  

To illustrate the scale of the impact on Australia’s hospitality sector, job losses in the accommodation and food services sector totalled 27.1 per cent since mid-March.  But to the week ended April 11, job losses in that sector had reached 33.3 per cent.  

By age group, the under-20 bracket was hardest hit with losses amounting to 14.6 per cent over the seven-week time period.  The employment data follows some other tentative signs of recovery in the local jobs market, after data from UBS last week showed job ads were back on the rise.

With Australian states planning a phased return to business activity through to the end of June, total percentage job losses may continue declining in the weeks ahead.  

With Australia being one of the most successful countries in managing the COVID-19 Coronavirus Pandemic, our economy is likely to bounce back rapidly and earlier than most.  So 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.

Coronavirus outbreak: The COVID-19 lessons from New Zealand and Australia

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Australia – Construction jobs to be central to Victoria’s post Covid-19 recovery

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Australia – Construction jobs to be central to Victoria’s post Covid-19 recovery

Construction will be key to helping Victoria recover from the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic, premier Daniel Andrews says.  The Premier said on Monday big construction jobs across the state would become more important than ever.  “These construction jobs have always been important to me, and now they are more important than ever for every single Victorian,” he said.

“We have the biggest construction program in the state’s history, and it will need to get bigger once this crisis is over as we push out of what is a really significant shock to our economy.”  Mr Andrews said while the state had suffered “unavoidable damage” to the economy “construction will be a very big part to the recovery from the coronavirus crisis.”

It came as the Premier announced the early completion of the level crossing removal at the Toorak Rd and Monash Freeway interchange.  The site is one of the most congested intersections in Melbourne, with about 37,000 vehicles travelling through it each day in normal periods.

The road will reopen to motorists today after crews worked around the clock for nine days to complete the project.  The level crossing was the 35th to be removed under the Andrews government, with the Premier confident of hitting a government target of 50 level crossing removals by 2022.

Strict protocols are in place on all Major Transport Infrastructure Authority worksites to protect the health and safety of construction workers and the community.  “Work looks a little different on our big build – with extra physical distancing precautions in place due to coronavirus, so we can protect our workers and protect their jobs,” Mr Andrews said.

Transport Infrastructure minister Jacinta Allan said the level crossing removal was one of several significant construction projects continuing across the state.  They include the Metro Tunnel Project, the North East Link Project and the Regional Rail Revival program.

We anticipate government infrastructure projects will be high on the agenda for all states, territories and federal governments alike as a means to kick starting the economy when all of this is over.

If you are a tradie or a trade business owner looking for a new life adventure in Australia then we recommend getting in early and creating first mover advantage for when the gates open on the opportunities that will avail themselves.  Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.  Now is the perfect time to get things moving.

Introducing Melbourne & Victoria

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Boundless Opportunities

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Boundless Opportunities

With the current COVID-19 pandemic sweeping the world, many of us are adjusting to what is, as opposed to our perception of what could have been if nothing had occurred.

From our own experiences with our amazing candidates, we understand the current tensions and anxieties people are feeling as a result of looking forward to potentially starting a new life adventure in a new country, to now being either excluded from society in lockdown or performing at the front line as an essential worker to help manage and overcome the pandemic, and the uncertainty these situations bring.

I have been searching for a message to share to help refocus our attention and intention and to make the most of the current circumstances, as we are certain on the other side of this there are going to be boundless opportunities.  That message was delivered to me via an email I believe encapsulates the very message I wanted to share, which I believe will be valuable to you and your loved ones.

The email I received was from world renowned Human Behavioral Specialist, Educator and Author Dr.  John Demartini, whom I consider to be the smartest guy on the planet.  For some time now I have subscribed to his teachings and technology and can only highly recommend him to you.  You can find him at www.DrDemartini.com  as well as a new facebook group titled “COVID-19 – Stay Inspired with Dr. Demartini”, a page dedicated to keeping you objective and inspired during this time. The email I received is reproduced below. 

The world is certainly undergoing transformation. With change often comes anxieties, the fear of loss of that which we seek and the fear of gain of that which we desire to avoid. The more centred, objective and neutral we are, the more resilient, adaptable and malleable we become to this temporary transformation. That is why sticking to high priority actions is wisdom.

One of the many questions I am currently receiving is what can I do today to reduce the potentially avoidable challenges associated with the Coronavirus?

Anything that enhances or optimizes your immune system would be warranted and wise.

  • Eating wisely,
  • Remain hygienic
  • Drinking fresh water,
  • Getting adequate rest,
  • Getting adequate sun exposure,
  • Balanced breathing deeply,
  • Filling your days with high priority actions,
  • Remaining objective more than irrational and
  • Identifying the many hidden upsides to any of the so-called downsides.

It is the challenges in life that often initiate great innovations, creative solutions and ingenious actions.

During this period of collective social challenge, it is possibly a time for even more determined action, a time for renewal, or a time for a new direction.

There is no crisis without a blessing, no challenge without an opportunity, no set back without a step forward and no experience that can’t initiate greater meaning.

It is not what happens to us that matters as much as how we respond to it.

We have control over our perceptions, decisions and actions – but not all of the many events or so-called circumstances around us. It is wise to continue to ask yourself what the highest priority action is that you can take in each moment.

It is wise to see how everything around us is ultimately on the way more than in the way.

Do not let so-called outer circumstances dictate your final outcomes.

Let the voice and the vision on the inside become greater than all opinions on the outside and you will become a master of your destiny more than a victim of your history.

Masters have foresight and create contingency plans while the masses often have hindsight and remain clueless with reaction.

Love and wisdom,
John

Dr. John Demartini
Human Behavioral Specialist, Educator and Author
www.DrDemartini.com

So in this time we recommend staying centered, objective and neutral, sticking to high priority actions and refocusing on what is and has been important to you.  Take this time to proactively go after what you have desired, secure in the knowledge it is a temporary set back and on the other side there are going to be boundless opportunities for you and your loved ones to pursue.

Now is a time to get ahead of the curve and take action to position yourself and gain first mover advantage for the boundless opportunities that will present themselves. We are here to assist where we can, and look forward to the opportunity to help you on your new life adventure.  Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Please feel free to share this with anyone you believe could benefit from it at this time.  Good luck and stay safe.

Coronavirus: Panic or Poise

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Eight ways you can get Australian permanent residency and citizenship

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In most countries you must spend several years living and working there before you can qualify for permanent residency. Australia is different...

Australia offers a range of permanent visas that allow you to stay in the country indefinitely from the moment your visa is granted.  Here are some Australian visas that can lead to permanent residency and citizenship.  

Australia’s high quality of life, prosperous economy, diverse population, excellent healthcare and world-class education system continue to make it one of the most popular countries for people looking to settle abroad. 

In 2018, there were 7.3 million migrants living in Australia, making up 29% of the country’s total population. People born in England continued to be the largest group of overseas-born residents, accounting for 4.0% of Australia’s total population.

Permanent residency and citizenship continue to rise

In the period 1 July 2018 to 30 June 2019, 127,674 people became citizens of Australia through residency (also referred to as conferral by the Australian government) – an increase of 58.3% from the previous year. In the same period, 238,300 people became Australian citizens.

Moving to Australia: How you can make a permanent move Down Under

Before you can obtain Australian citizenship, you must first become a permanent resident. Permanent residency allows you to live in Australia indefinitely and leave and re-enter the country as often as you wish. You’ll also enjoy many of the rights and privileges of citizens, such as access to free or subsidised legal and health services. 

Permanent residency is a five-year visa, but what’s great about this visa is that even when it expires, you’ll still be allowed to stay in Australia indefinitely without breaching immigration regulations.

While there are Australian visas that are temporary and can eventually lead to permanent residency and citizenship, there are some that can fast-track the process. 

If your goal is to live in Australia permanently and become a citizen, these are the visas you should apply for.

Employer-sponsored visas

To be eligible for these visas, you need to find an Australian-based employer that will sponsor you. Employers can only sponsor you if they can’t find an Australian citizen with the skills and experience needed for the job. When you receive a sponsorship, you can only work for the employer who sponsored you.

Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (subclass 482)

The Temporary Skilled Shortage visa (TSS) has a short-term stream and a medium-term stream. To qualify for permanent residency, you must work in an occupation on the medium-term stream for three years. 

Jobs on the short-term stream are only eligible for a two-year visa and will not allow you to qualify for permanent residency. Should your occupation fall on the short-term list, it is possible to extend your stay for another two years. Your employer will need to submit a new nomination and you will have to apply for a new visa.

Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

This is a permanent visa, which means that you’ll be a permanent Australian resident the moment your visa is granted. There are three streams under this visa, all of which allow you to:

  • Stay in Australia indefinitely
  • Work and study in Australia
  • Enrol in Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare scheme
  • Bring your relatives with you 
  • Travel in and out of Australia for five years
  • Apply for citizenship, if eligible

Temporary Residence Transition stream

You’ll need to apply for this visa if you’re already in Australia on a medium-term 482 visa and have worked for your employer for at least three years. Your employer will need to sponsor your application for permanent residency.

Direct Entry stream

You can apply for this stream if you work in an occupation on the medium-term stream and have an employer willing to sponsor you. Usually you are living outside of Australia or have only briefly worked in Australia. As part of your application, your skills will be assessed to ensure they meet the standards of the occupation you’re applying for. You’ll need to receive a positive skills assessment to apply for this stream. 

Agreement stream

You’ll be eligible for this stream if you’re currently working or will work for an employer under a labour agreement. Labour agreements allow approved businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when there isn’t a suitable Australian candidate and standard temporary or permanent visa programmes are not available. 

Skilled visas

The skilled migration visa for Australia works on a points-based system. Points are awarded based on your age, qualification, experience and English language skills. Your eligibility for the visa is determined by your occupation. Having an occupation that is in demand gives you the greatest visa options. 

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

This is a permanent resident visa and one of the most sought-after visas because it allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia. To be eligible you must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points on the immigration points test and have an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). 

Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

To be eligible for this visa, you must be nominated by a state or territory government. To be nominated or invited to apply, you must first submit an expression of interest to the specific state or territory you want to work in (e.g. New South Wales or Queensland). 

You must be under 45 years of age, score at least 65 points and have an occupation on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). 

Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)

This visa allows you to live and work in specific regional areas in Australia for up to five years. To apply, you will need to be sponsored by an eligible relative or nominated to apply by a state or territory government agency. 

If you’re being sponsored by a relative, they can be one of the following: 

  • A parent
  • A child or stepchild
  • A sibling, including adopted and step siblings 
  • An aunt, uncle, adoptive aunt, adoptive uncle, step-aunt or step-uncle
  • A nephew, niece, adoptive nephew, adoptive niece, step-nephew or step-niece
  • A grandparent
  • A first cousin
  • Your relative must also: 
  • Be 18 years old or older
  • Reside in a designated regional area in Australia* 
  • Be an Australian citizen, permanent resident or an eligible New Zealand citizen
  • Be you or your partner’s eligible relative

Regional Australia is defined as: South Australia, Tasmania, Western Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Victoria (except the Melbourne metropolitan), Queensland (except the greater Brisbane area) Northern Territory and New South Wales (except Sydney).

The cut-off age for this is 45 years. As with the other skilled visa, you must score at least 65 points or more and your occupation must be on the list of eligible occupations. After three years of living on the 491 visa you can apply for permanent residency. 

Business visa routes

There are various options for individuals wanting to establish a business or invest in Australia. 

Overseas business sponsorship

If you own a business, you can move Down Under by expanding your business to Australia. This is done by applying for an overseas business sponsorship as well as the 482 visa. The process from your first application through to obtaining Australian citizenship comprises four stages.

Stage 1 – Become an overseas business sponsor 

This stage is a three-step process. You’ll need to:

  • Apply to be an overseas business sponsor
  • Nominate a position within your new Australian business
  • Apply for your TSS 482 visa 

You can bring your family with you to Australia by including them on your visa application. Once you’ve been granted your TSS 482 visa, you can move to Australia and establish the Australian branch of your business. 

Stage 2 – Become a standard business sponsor and get Australian permanent residency

To make the transition from a temporary residence visa to a permanent residence visa, your Australian-based company must first obtain a standard business sponsorship. 

Stage 3 – Become a permanent resident on the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186)

You’ll move onto this stage once you have lived and worked in Australia for three years. 

When applying for your permanent visa, you will need to show that your Australian business can meet its obligation of paying staff members and other statutory requirements. You must also show that you’ve lived in Australia and worked for your sponsoring business for three years. 

Stage 4 – Apply for Australian citizenship

Once you’ve lived in Australia for the qualifying period and met all the requirements, you can apply for citizenship.

Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132)

The Business Talent (Permanent) visa is suited to business owners, investors or property developers. In the last 20 years, the Australian property market has provided an average capital growth of 6.8% a year. A growing economy and population have led to a huge demand for houses.

We help entrepreneurs meet the requirements of the Business Talent visa and start a business. The programme requires that you form or join a property development company that will allow you to build and sell property in Australia. With the assistance and guidance of our team in Australia, you can continue to buy, develop and sell property within your own company.  

To be eligible for the Business Talent visa, you must:

  • Submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
  • Be nominated by an Australian state or territory government agency
  • Be invited to apply for the visa
  • Have the required funding or assets

This visa has two streams: 

  1. The Significant Business History stream, which allows experienced business owners to start a new or existing business in Australia
  1. Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream, which allows you to start a new or existing business if you have sourced venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC), in the Venture Capital Membership category

Significant Business History stream

To be eligible for this stream, you must: 

  • Be under the age of 55* 
  • Have an overall successful business career
  • Have a genuine intention to establish a qualifying business in Australia, or participate in an existing business
  • Be committed to the business in a manner that benefits the Australian economy
  • Have a total net asset of at least AU $400,000 as the ownership interest in one or more qualifying businesses for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you are invited to apply
  • Have an annual business turnover of at least AU $3 million for at least two of the four fiscal years immediately before you are invited to apply
  • Have total assets of at least AU $1.5 million that can be transferred to Australia within two years of the 132 visa being granted 

*This requirement can be waived by a state or territory if your proposed business offers substantial economic benefit to the nominating state or territory.

Venture Capital Entrepreneur stream

To qualify for this stream, you need to source venture capital funding from a member of the Australian Investment Council (AIC), in the Venture Capital Membership category. You must: 

  • Have agreed with a venture capital firm to provide capital funding for either an early phase start-up, commercialisation of a product, development of a business or the expansion of a business
  • Have at least AU $1 million in funding from a venture capital firm
  • Have a genuine intention to establish a qualifying business in Australia, or participate in an existing business
  • Be committed to the business in a manner that benefits the Australian economy

How to get Australian citizenship

Obtaining citizenship through residency is also sometimes referred to as by conferral. This route applies to:

  • Australian permanent residents aged 18-59
  • Children aged 16 or 17
  • Children 15 years or younger applying with a parent or guardian
  • Partners or spouses of an Australian citizen
  • To qualify through this route, you must fulfil the following residency requirements: 
  • Have lived in Australia for four years
  • Have been a permanent resident for at least 12 months
  • Have not spent more than 365 days outside of Australia in the past four years
  • Have not spent more than 90 days outside of Australia in the past 12 months
  • You also need to meet the following criteria:
  • Pass the Australian citizenship test (unless you are over the age of 60)
  • Be a permanent resident at the time of application and decision
  • Satisfy the residence requirement
  • Be likely to reside, or to continue to reside, in Australia or to maintain a close and continuing association with Australia
  • Be of good character

Other pathways to Australian citizenship

Descent

If one of your parents was an Australian citizen at the time of your birth, you can claim Australian citizenship. You’ll be entitled to citizenship irrespective of your country of birth or if your parent has lost their citizenship.

Birth

If you were born in Australia between 26 January 1949 and 20 August 1986, then you could be eligible for citizenship. People born after 20 August 1986 do not automatically become Australian citizens as the status of their parents dictates whether a claim can be made.

Adoption

To qualify, at least one of your parents must have been an Australian citizen at the time of your adoption. You must be able to show that you were fully and permanently adopted under either the Hague Convention or a bilateral agreement and that you are of good character.

We can assist you in navigating the pathway to Australia so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Come Live Our Philausophy

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‘We need all hands on deck’: Backpackers called in to bushfire recovery effort

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The new visa system details are now becoming clear

Backpackers are being brought in as reinforcements for the bushfire recovery effort under a new plan by the federal government.  The visa system will be overhauled so backpackers are incentivised to help farmers and communities rebuild after the crisis.

Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge has announced three major changes following a recommendation from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency as follows:

  • Backpackers can work for an employer for 12 months instead of six months
  • Construction work is now included as part of the designated activities backpackers are allowed to participate in
  • Up to three months of voluntary work will now count towards backpackers’ eligibility for a second-year visa

Mr Tudge said the response to the announcement has been significant and overwhelmingly positive.

“They’re very practical measures just to get more people on the ground.  “Going right now because we need all hands on deck.”

As this initiative unfolds we will keep you informed however we suggest you get in early to take advantage of this opportunity so Contact us for a confidential discussion and refer family, friends and colleagues and be rewarded.

Raging Australian wildfires force residents to water's edge

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Backpackers Invited To Help Australia Rebuild In Wake Of Bushfires

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Come Help Us Rebuild Our Country

Backpackers are being invited to help Australian farmers and communities rebuild after devastating bushfires, with visa changes designed to encourage them to join the effort.  Under the changes, backpackers will be able to count volunteering as work when applying to extend their working holiday visas, and those in bushfire zones can stay with the same employer for a year instead of six months.

Construction work in disaster zones will also count as work under the new rules designed to support farmers and regional businesses.  The changes were announced by Acting Immigration Minister Alan Tudge in regional Victoria yesterday.  Mr Tudge said the working holidaymakers would be able to help farmers and businesses with demolition and land clearing on properties, as well as repairing dams, roads and railways.  

“These hardworking Australians have been hit by the recent bushfires, but from today they can employ backpackers for six months longer, helping them at a critical time in the recovery effort,” he told the newspaper.  “This recovery will be driven locally, by local workers and communities.  “But this will be a massive recovery effort and we want businesses and charitable organisations to have as many boots on the ground as they need.”

The visa rule changes follow recommendations from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency.

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

Aerial footage captures devastating aftermath of Mallacoota bushfires

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Australian-style UK Visa Points-Based System By End Of 2020

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Full details of the new system have yet to be announced

During his time as London Mayor, and upon becoming Prime Minister, Boris Johnson has called for an immigration system similar to Australia’s, in the UK. Now UK Home Secretary, Priti Patel, is pushing for Britain’s Australian-style, points-based UK visa and immigration system to be in place by the end of 2020, two years earlier than originally planned. Now it seems Johnson’s Home Secretary is keen to implement an Australian-style system to coincide with the UK’s transition period with the European Union (EU).

 

The push for a points-based UK visa and immigration system has been a matter of confusion because the UK’s highly skilled, Tier 2 visa category already operates under a points-based system, with applicants currently needing a minimum of 40 points to be eligible for a UK visa.

 

At this stage, it’s unclear what an Australian-style, points-based immigration system in the UK will look like, leaving many businesses worried about how they will hire foreign staff, when Britain leaves the EU. The government has been very vague about the plans, but has made it clear that low-skilled immigration will be heavily restricted.

 

The news of Priti Patel’s push for an Australian-style immigration system in the UK by the end of 2020 comes amid comments made by Prime Minister Boris Johnson at the UK-Africa investment summit on 20 January.  Johnson said: “The UK should be the investment partner of choice for Africa and my government will put people before passports. Change is coming and our system is becoming fairer and more equal between all our global friends and partners, treating people the same, wherever they come from.”  “By putting people before passports, we will be able to attract the best talent from around the world, wherever they may be,” Johnson added.

 

Patel’s push for the new immigration system to be introduced by the end of 2020 has been met with heavy criticism.  Under existing UK visa and immigration plans, outlined by former Prime Minister Theresa May, there is a temporary extension of EU rules in place following Brexit, which comes to an end on 31 December, 2020.  A Confederation of British Industry (CBI) statement said: “Priti Patel’s plans could seriously impact British businesses. Companies will need at least two years to adapt to any new immigration system.”

 

The UK’s shadow Home Secretary, Diane Abbott, said: “This is an ill-informed and reactionary policy that will damage us all, damaging to everything from the NHS to other public services and some of our key private sector industries.”  “Ministers talk about ending uncontrolled migration when they have been in office for 10 years. In reality this is just a new twist in the long Tory campaign against migrants, scapegoating them for the terrible effects of Tory policies,” Abbott added.

 

Meanwhile Christine Jardine, Home Affairs spokesperson for the Liberal Democrats, described Patel’s plans as a ‘national embarrassment’, saying that such a decision makes it very obvious that the Conservative government has no intention of ending its hostile environment policy.  Jardine said: “For business and our economy, such draconian changes to immigration rules is utterly unworkable. To think the Home Office could implement the changes in the time given is a joke.”

 

Explaining how the points-based immigration system in Australia works, Dr Alan Gamlen of Monash University in Melbourne said: “It’s a general skilled migration programme, where immigrants applying for a visa are typically selected based on ‘economically relevant characteristics’ like education, language skills and work experience.”  Dr Gamlen outlined that the exact way points are allocated is dependent on immigration policy and the state of the labour market, but generally an applicant will select a skilled occupation from a set list and must score a minimum number of points.

 

In the run up to the UK general election, Boris Johnson said that an Australian-style, points-based system in the UK would limit the number of lower-skilled immigrants allowed into the country. Johnson said that lower-skilled immigrants would only be eligible for UK entry if there was a specific skills shortage.

UK: Britain to introduce points-based immigration system - Home Secretary

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