Peer Review is no longer required by the RCB Immigration SA for the first stage of the RSMS process. This change was introduced from 24 June 2013.

Immigration SA posted the following on their blog:

“A recent review has identified the following changes to the RCB application process:

• Removal of peer review - effective immediately
• Simplified assessment questions
• Extensively reduced evidence requirements
• Quicker application process”

For Immigration SA announcements:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/news%20and%20events

Peer Review required a letter from an employment agent or industry body or Union about not being able to fill the position.  It was very unpopular with employers, who often chose not to proceed with the RSMS process. 

Enrolled Nurses already registered in Australia can apply for a Migration Skills Assessment from ANMAC from 1 July 2013.

Key points are:

• English - The applicant must achieve a score of 7 in all bands of the IELTS academic IELTS or achieves a B pass in all bands of the OET for nurses.
• Education - If the applicant holds current registration as an Enrolled Nurse in Australia or New Zealand and provided appropriate documentary evidence of this they with will be deemed to have met the educational standard requirements.
• - Experience and Exemption- The experience requirement will require that the applicant must has practised as a nurse or midwife in the 5 years preceding their application date. There is an exemption to this experience criteria if the applicant is a newly registered Australian nursing and midwifery graduates that AHPRA registration.

From the many enquiries I have received about skills assessments for Enrolled Nurses, I know that there will be a large number of applications for registration lodged. 

Large volumes of applications can lead to long processing times and there may be an advantage to lodging your skills assessment as soon as possible.

For the assessment criteria:

http://www.anmac.org.au/application-options

Work Visa Lawyers:

• We can assist you to apply for a skills assessment.
• We can assess your eligibility to apply for Australian Permanent Residence based on your nursing qualifications.   
• If we determine that you are eligible, we can apply for  Australian Permanent Residence on your behalf.

If you require further information regarding Enrolled Nursing skills assessment by ANMAC or would like to book a consultation with Christopher Johnston, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on (08) 7225 5091.

The rises in visa application charges from the 1 July 2013 hit families migrating to Australia much harder than single applicants.This is because there has been a shift from price per application, to charging fees for each person included in the application.

Example 1 - Permanent Work Visa for a family of three – Subclass 187 or 186:

Up until 28 June 2013 the 187 or 186 Visa Application Charge for a primary applicant, a partner and their child under the age of 18 was a total of $3060.00. 

From 1 July 2013 the Visa Application Charge will be calculated per applicant.   In relation to the example above, for a primary applicant it will be $3060.00, for a partner it will be $1530.00 and for their child under 18 it will be $765.00.  The total for the family of three will be $5355.00.

For a family of three this is a fee increase of 75%.

Example 2 - Temporary Work Visa for a family of three– subclass 457:

Up until 28 June 2013 the 457 Visa Application Charge for a primary applicant, a partner and their child under the age of 18 was a total of $455.00

From 1 July 2013 the Visa Application Charge will be calculated per applicant.   In relation to the example above, for a primary applicant it will be $900.00, for a partner it will be $900.00 and for their child under 18 it will be $225.00.  The total for the family of three will be $2225.00.

For a family of three this is a fee increase of 389%.

For further details on visa application charges visit:

http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/new-visa-charges-1july2013/proposed-visa-pricing-table.htm

If you require further information regarding Australian migration or would like to book a consultation with Christopher Johnston, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on (08) 7225 5091

This posting is accurate as of 28 June 2013

Immigration SA has widened the state sponsorship criteria for off-list nominations.

SA State sponsorship is no longer restricted to students who graduated within the last six months. All international graduates of South Australia will be considered, regardless of how long ago they graduated.

The off-list currently has 242 occupations available for state sponsorship.   

The off-list offers the opportunity for SA graduates to be sponsored for the 242 occupations.

The SA graduates must have a full skills assessment for one of the 242 occupations.

The  changes to the criteria for off-list will only apply until 30 June 2013 at the latest. 

There are a limited number of off-list places available per financial year and this number is reached, then Immigration SA will most likely close off-list sponsorship.  This could happen before the 30 June 2013.

One of the occupations currently on the off-list where graduates often have a full skills assessment is Welfare Worker. 

If you require further information regarding the SA State Sponsorship criteria or would like to book a consultation with Christopher Johnston, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on (08) 7225 5091.

The full list  of SA sponsored occupations is available at:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/SNOL_data

Here are some of the off-list occupations that are being sponsored:

141311  Hotel or Motel Manager                               IELTS 7.0 in each band

221214  Internal Auditor                                IELTS 7.0 in each band plus 3 yrs work experience in field

224112  Mathematician                 IELTS 6.5 in each band

225111  Advertising Specialist                     IELTS 6.5 in each band

225112  Market Research Analyst                             IELTS 6.5 in each band

225113  Marketing Specialist                       IELTS 6.5 in each band

225213  ICT Sales Representative                              IELTS 6.5 in each band

225311  Public Relations Professional                      IELTS 6.5 in each band

232312  Industrial Designer          IELTS 6.5 in each band

232313  Jewellery Designer                          IELTS 6.5 in each band

232411  Graphic Designer                             IELTS 6.5 in each band

232412  Illustrator                            IELTS 6.5 in each band

232414  Web Designer                   IELTS 6.5 in each band

233512  Mechanical Engineer                      IELTS 6.5 in each band

272613  Welfare Worker

351111  Baker                    IELTS 6.0 in each band plus 3 yrs work experience in field

351112  Pastry Cook                        IELTS 6.0 in each band plus 3 yrs work experience in field

351211  Butcher or Smallgoods Maker                    See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

351311  Chef                      IELTS 6.0 in each band plus 3 yrs work experience in field

351411  Cook                      IELTS 6.0 in each band plus 3 yrs work experience in field

362211  Gardener (General)                        See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

362212  Arborist                                See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

362213  Landscape Gardener                      See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

362311  Greenkeeper                    See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

362411  Nurseryperson                 See IELTS explanation listed in Point 9 here

391111  Hairdresser

392211  Graphic Pre-press Trades Worker                            

392311  Printing Machinist

394111  Cabinetmaker

411511  Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Worker                         IELTS 6.5 in each band

411711  Community Worker                        IELTS 6.5 in each band

411712  Disabilities Services Officer                          IELTS 6.5 in each band

411713  Family Support Worker                 IELTS 6.5 in each band

411714  Parole or Probation Officer          IELTS 6.5 in each band

411715  Residential Care Officer                                IELTS 6.5 in each band

411716  Youth Worker                    IELTS 6.5 in each band

511112  Program or Project Administrator           IELTS 6.5 in each band

We are able provide you with assistance in relation to SA State Sponsored visas.  You can contact Chris Johnston at Work Visa Lawyers.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

This New posting is accurate on 8 June 2013.

Immigration SA has announced changes to their off-list sponsorship criteria:

“Changes include: (these apply to applicants living and working in South Australia only)

• - All international graduates of South Australia will be considered; nomination is no longer restricted to students who graduated within the last six months.
• - Applicants who have completed a vocational education and training (VET) or higher education qualification in South Australia with a minimum duration of one academic year (or CRICOSregistered for a minimum of 46 weeks).
• - Students who have completed a PhD or Masters by Research qualification in South Australia, no longer require work experience if they have an IELTS score of 7.5 overall or 7.0 in each band.”

Refer to the off-list section in the following link:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/node/104

Changes will only apply until 30 June, 2013. 

Due to the short timeframe, the above changes for the off-list  will be most suitable for persons who already have a full skills assessment in a vocational occupation, such as a Nurseryperson.

IELTS Validity extended from two to three years:

Other changes include that Immigration SA will now accept IELTS results which are three-years-old or less on the state nomination decision date

I will post more details on the SA sponsorship changes as they emerge.

If you require further information regarding the SA State Sponsorship criteria or would like to book a consultation with Christopher Johnston, please do not hesitate to contact our offices on (08) 7225 5091.

It has been reported that form the 1 July 2013 the 457 visa application fee will increase from $455 to $900. See article:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-14/nrn-fedbudget-457costs/4689874

Labor has plans for Radio Adverts  to Promote a Crackdown on 457 Visas.  See article:

http://www.afr.com/p/national/labor_ads_to_promote_work_visa_crackdown_35rbIW85h1LS1vpVSYOs6I

This will be at same time as ATO Investigations of 457 Visas. See article:

http://www.workvisalawyers.com.au/news/entry/student-visa-and-temporary-work-visa-holders-are-you-currently-being-investigated-for-tax-fraud-.html

Increases to the fees charged for skills assessments have been announced.  From the 6 May 2013 the cost of an Australian Migration Skills Assessment has been raised from $300 to $1000.

Trades Recognition Australia is the skills assessing authority for many occupations, mostly concentrating on trades, including Electricians, various Motor Mechanics, Plumbers, Carpenters, Bakers, Cooks and Chefs.

For a list of the full range of fee increases, please view:

http://www.innovation.gov.au/Skills/SkillsAssessment/TradesRecognitionAustralia/TRANotices/Documents/FAQChangesTRA.pdf

One million student and temporary work visa holders tax records to be targeted for tax fraud by the Australian Tax Office (ATO).

It is most noteworthy that Student Visa holders and 457 visa holders, which together account for hundreds of thousands of visa holders currently in Australia, are being targeting by the ATO.

The visa subclasses to be data matched by Australian Tax Office (ATO) are the following:  “Subclasses 406, 410, 411, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 426, 427, 428, 442, 457, 462, 570, 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 576, 580”

The period of time to be data matched is: “between the period 01/01/2012 and 30/6/2014 inclusive from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 income years.”

The ATO aims to “to identify potential fraud, and other non compliance with lodgment and payment obligations under taxation law.”

For more details visit original notice from Commissioner of Taxation:

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/C2013G00598

An article from the Age reporting on the data matching:

http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/political-news/visa-holders-targeted-for-tax-fraud-20130425-2igin.html

Changes to 457 may cause problems for rural Australia

http://www.abc.net.au/rural/content/2013/s3713417.htm

An explanation of what the 457 visa is used for and which industries use it the most:

http://theconversation.edu.au/explainer-457-visas-in-australia-12622?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+15+March+2013&utm_content=Latest+from+The+Conversation+for+15+March+2013+CID_bdc251a0c90e9bfee82a3254a362f6ef&utm_source=campaign_monitor&utm_term=Explainer%20457%20visas%20in%20Australia

Kevin Rudd praises contribution of migrants and 457 changes may impact on rural Australia

Commentary on Kevin Rudd’s recent speech on the contribution of migrants

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/immigration/kevin-rudd-lauds-migration-amid-ongoing-row-over-457-visas/story-fn9hm1gu-1226592443517

Further details of 457 changes

Further details on the planned changes for 457 visas have been released by DIAC on their website.

“The measures being brought forward include:

• the introduction of a genuineness criterion under which the department may refuse a nomination if the position does not fit within the scope of the activities of the business
• an increase in market salary exemption threshold from $180 000 to $250 000 to ensure that higher paid salary workers are not able to be undercut through the employment of overseas labour at a cheaper rate
• the removal of English language exemptions for certain positions. Many long-term 457 workers go on to apply for permanent residence, and  this change will ensure that the 457 program requirements are brought into line with the permanent Employer Sponsored program which requires a vocational English ability. This change will benefit visa holders by ensuring that 457 visa holders, who have an ongoing position with their employer and want to apply for permanent residence in the long-run are not disadvantaged because of their language ability. Applicants who are nominated with a salary greater than $92 000 will continue to be exempted from the English language requirement
• enhanced regulatory powers for the department to ensure that the working conditions of sponsored visa holders meet Australian standards and that subclass 457 workers cannot be exploited or used to undercut local workers
• amendments to existing training benchmark provisions to clarify that an employer’s obligation to train Australians is ongoing and binding for the duration of their approved sponsorship, including for newly established business
• amendments to clarify that 457 workers may not be on-hired to an unrelated entity unless they are sponsored under a labour agreement
• amendments which will allow the department to refund a visa application fee in circumstances where an employer nomination has been withdrawn.”