There has been a significant drop in Australia’s migrant intake this financial year so far, and the total numbers are expected to fall short of planned figures. The declining trend is continuing on from the last financial year, where overall visa approvals were down from the planned 190,000 to 183,000.

The migration program has been at a constant level (at 190,000) since 2012-13. Taking into account the actual permanent visas granted to 30 April 2018 of 138,086, it is estimated that the number of visas granted in total this 2017-18 financial year will likely be closer to 165,000. This is a significant drop from previous years and is the lowest in seven years.

The decrease is represented in most of the visa categories, however the drop is greatest in skilled independent and employer sponsored work visas. 

IELTS has a new test format available to students - computer-delivered IELTS, which has been designed to make it easier for students to take the test at their convenience on a desktop computer.

The IELTS test is offered in two formats, IELTS Academic and General Training. Computer-delivered test takers will be tested on the following components:

• Listening
• Speaking
• Reading
• Writing

All aspects of the computer based test are the same as the paper based test, including question types, timings, content and marking. 

Key terms: SkillSelect – Invitation to Apply – Skilled Independent subclass 189 - Skilled Regional Provisional subclass 489 – Expression of Interest – Points Test

Results for the latest SkillSelect invitation round on 23 May 2018 have been published. Here is a summary of the results:

• 300 Skilled Independent visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 75 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 18 May 2018 have been invited
• 5 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 80 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 26 April 2018 were invited 

• 300 Skilled Independent visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 75 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 18 October 2017 have been invited
• 5 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 85 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 4 January 2017 were invited

• 1000 Skilled Independent visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 70 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 15 July 2017 have been invited
• 210 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 60 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 25 July 2017 were invited

Key terms: VETASSESS – Migration Skills Assessment – Skilled Occupation List changes – Nominated Occupation – Short-term Skilled Occupation List – STSOL – Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List – MLTSSL

VETASSESS is one of the many Skills Assessment Authorities which processes and issues Migration Skills Assessment results. Many generic business occupations and miscellaneous specialist professions are assessed by VETASSESSS.

Following the announcement of the new Skilled Occupation Lists – the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) and the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), VETASSESS has issued an announcement as 216 occupations were removed from the combined list of occupations suitable for migration.

My nominated occupation was one of the occupations removed! What happens now?

Key terms: SkillSelect – Invitation to Apply – Skilled Independent subclass 189 - Skilled Regional Provisional subclass 489 – Expression of Interest – Points Test

Results for the SkillSelect invitation round on 1 February 2017 have been published. Here is a summary of the results:

• 1144 Skilled Independent visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 60 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 1 February 2017 have been invited
• 28 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa invitations were issued
  • applications with 60 points or more were invited
  • applications submitted 31 January 2017 were invited

The US and the UK are tightening their immigration policies. President Trump implemented a travel ban and has repeatedly emphasised that he will be evaluating the country’s immigration policy and introduce tougher screening of visa applicants. While the travel ban has been removed by the US Federal court there is no stopping the President from giving out another executive order of similar nature. In the UK there has also been a stir up as the British government looks to cap the number of international students to the UK. The trend in the development of immigration policies in these two countries has startled migrants and temporary-stay workers and students, who now ponder their future in the US or the UK.

This presents Australia with an opportunity to attract genuine skilled professionals, aspiring students and potentially business and investor migrants to Australia. The US and the UK have long benefited from their preferred migrant destination status for many years, with many entrepreneurs, technology innovators and brilliant scientists settling down in the US or UK. Now Australia may stand to gain from opening its borders to attract talent, skills and investment from overseas.

What are the visa options available for Australia?

Accounting & ICT Professionals need more than 60 points

The SkillSelect invitation round results has been released on 18 January 2017. Based on the result, we can see that the majority invitations by points score are given to the Skilled - Independent (subclass 189) visa applicants. Whilst the Skilled - Regional Provisional (subclass 489) visa requires the same minimum point score of 60 as the 189 visa, it is evident that 189 visa applications gets the priority invitation.

In the last invitation round, Accountants require 70 points score while ICT Professional requires 65 points. The list of ICT Professional are as follows:

• 225211 - ICT Account Manager
• 261111 - ICT Business Analyst
• 225212 - ICT Business Development Manager
• 313112 - ICT Customer Support Officer
• 135199 - ICT Managers nec
• 135112 - ICT Project Manager
• 263211 - ICT Quality Assurance Engineer
• 621211 - ICT Sales Assistant
• 225213 - ICT Sales Representative
• 262112 - ICT Security Specialist
• 263299 - ICT Support and Test Engineers nec
• 263212 - ICT Support Engineer
• 313199 - ICT Support Technicians nec
• 263213 - ICT Systems Test Engineer
• 223211 - ICT Trainer

Read more on the current crisis for Accountant looking to apply for skilled migration  or find out more on the requirements of 70 points to receive an invitation to apply.

The latest invitation round for the SkillSelect programme was held on 23 November 2016. During the invitation round occupation group 2335 - Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers was placed in the group of occupations that are subject to pro rata arrangements due to high levels of demand. Occupations are placed under a pro rata arrangement to ensure availability throughout the course of the migration programme year. The occupation group includes ANZSCO code 233511 Industrial Engineer, ANZSCO code 233512 Mechanical Engineer and ANZSCO code 233513 Production or Plant Engineer.

According to the invitation round results, industrial engineers, mechanical engineers and production or plant engineers will now need to achieve at least 70 points in the SkillSelect points test to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA).

Latest pro rata arrangements and cut off for points score

The pro rata arrangement for Invitations to Apply under SkillSelect now applies to:

• ANZSCO Group 2211 Accountants
• ANZSCO Group 2212 Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers
• ANZSCO Group 2334 Electronics Engineers
• ANZSCO Group 2335 Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
• ANZSCO Group 2339 Other Engineering Professionals
• ANZSCO Group 2544 Registered Nurses
• ANZSCO Group 2611 ICT Business and System Analysts
• ANZSCO Group 2613 Software and Applications Programmers
• ANZSCO Group 2631 Computer Network Professionals

The results for the latest invitation rounds are as follows:

Source: Department of Immigration and Border Protection

Contact Work Visa Lawyers if you need further information about the above.

Sources:

http://www.border.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Pages/23-november-2016-round-results.aspx

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The 2016-17 migration programme year is reaching its halfway point as we come to the end of 2016. For the General Skilled Migration programme, this may mean that certain occupations which have received many applications face limitations in receiving Invitations to Apply (ITAs), require higher points to receive ITAs or are unable to obtain state nomination or sponsorship for the year.

It is best to proceed with a visa application as quickly as possible but at the same time you should ensure that all information and documents provided are accurate and relevant to your application. If you need to consider other visa application options please contact Work Visa Lawyers to arrange an appointment to discuss alternatives.

This information is accurate on 8 December 2016

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956

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

Closure of ACT nomination program to overseas applicants for 2015/16 - subclass 190 visa

The following has recently been announced by Migration and Information Services section of the ACT Government.

“Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa – Closure of ACT nomination program to overseas applicants for 2015/16

Effective immediately (18 March 2016 at 4pm AEST) - The ACT Migration program is closed to all overseas residents. If your client is not in Australia, you will not be able to apply for ACT nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa until the program reopens on 1 July 2016.

Applications for ACT nomination submitted before 4pm today will still be processed in queue order.

Please note, the current processing time is 3 - 4 months due to the large number of applications received post publication of the February 23 Occupation List.

CANBERRA RESIDENTS

This action does not affect Canberra based applicants. If your client is living in Canberra the 190 ACT nomination program is still open if they meet the nomination criteria. The average processing time of applications from Canberra residents is 4 weeks.”

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

This closure of the list announced by the ACT government is probably just the first of a number of similar actions by States and Territories.   The migration program year runs from the 1 July to the 30 June each year.

The states have a limited numbers of positions to nominate and they also try to set their own internal target in relation to different occupations.  As the end of the migration program year approached, and we get closer to the 30 June 2016, the state and territories may run out of positions to nominate.

The positive side of the cycle, is that the states will have new quotas of position to nominated from the 1 July 2016. So it is often still worth while for you to get your skills assessed and to achieve the required English scores, with a view to the new lists.

Source:

 http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-migration-visas/

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956

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

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals have been a main group of applicants for the Skill Stream of the Australian Migration programme for a long time. In the year 2014-2015, 2 out of the top 5 occupations of primary applicants in the Skill Stream were ICT positions. ICT professionals are identified by 3 main groups in Australia, namely:

• ICT Business and Systems Analysts (ANZSCO: 2611)

• Software and Applications Programmers (ANZSCO: 2613)

• ICT Support and Test Engineers (ANZSCO: 2632)

According to the Job Outlook website by the Australian Government Department of Employment, here is a table summarising job prospects and median weekly salaries for ICT professionals in Australia:

*Weekly earnings for all occupations were $1,152

The employment indicators for ICT professionals look favourable for the future and it is expected that many ICT professionals from overseas will be moving to Australia temporarily or permanently. ICT professionals from overseas can move and work in Australia by applying for:

• Employer Sponsored visas such as:

  • Temporary Work (Skilled) – the “457” visa

  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) - subclass 187 visa

  • Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - subclass 186 visa

• General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas such as:

  • Skilled Independent - subclass 189 visa

  • Skilled Nominated - subclass 190 visa

  • Skilled Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) - subclass 489 visa

The visa options are also available to international students who have completed their studies in Australia. The Temporary Graduate visa is an additional visa that is available to international students who meet the Australian study requirement.

Most visa applications for ICT professionals will need a positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS). The ACS Skills Assessment has many different pathways and you will need to check that you meet the requirements of the correct pathway that is applicable to your circumstances (qualifications, work experience, etc.). Here are some of the considerations you should take note of when applying for a Skills Assessment from ACS:

• Is your IT qualification highly relevant to your role at work/nominated occupation?

• Is your IT qualification equivalent to an Australian diploma? Or Bachelor’s degree?

• Did you work in different roles during your IT career? You cannot combine work experience from different IT occupations for the Skills Assessment.

• ICT Support Technicians are assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and not the ACS

• Professional IT qualifications or vendor certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Cisco Professional, Cisco Expert and Cisco Architect are accepted as IT qualifications for ACS Skills Assessment purposes.

As other traditional major occupations such as Accountants face saturation in the Australia visa application pool, studying in an IT education course may lead to a better pathway for further visa applications. Currently Accountants need to score 70 points in the Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). ICT professionals in ANZSCO group 2611 and 2613 only need 65 points to receive an ITA.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The strong employment outlook and attractive conditions will help ICT professionals make a decision on moving to Australia. Prospective students should also consider studying in the field of ICT as the profession looks more favourable for visa applications that allow further stay in Australia.

Work Visa Lawyers is very familiar with the ACS Skills Assessment requirements and can also provide guidance on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway for suitable applicants. We will help identify the right application pathway and manage the application for you. Contact us to book an appointment and we can explain the ACS skills assessment process and your Australia visa application procedures to you.

This information is accurate on 14 November 2015

Source:

1. http://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/statistics/2014-15-Migration-Programme-Report.pdf

2. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?code=2611&search=industry&Tab=prospects

3. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=industry&tab=prospects&cluster=&code=2613

4. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=industry&tab=prospects&cluster=&code=2632

5. https://www.acs.org.au/migration-skills-assessment/information-for-applicants

6. http://www.border.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Pages/SkillSelect-23-October-2015-Round-Results.aspx

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

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

Accountants have traditionally formed a large part of the Australia skilled migration numbers. The ANZSCO Unit Group 2211 includes:

• 221111 Accountant (General)
• 221112 Management Accountant
• 221113 Taxation Accountant

2018 UPDATE:  Accountants -  How to Increase Your Points for Employer Sponsored (RSMS 187, ENS 186), Independent (189, 489), and State Nomination (190) Skilled Visas

In previous years planning numbers allocated to accountants were approximately 5000 per programme year. However this was reduced by approximately 54% in the 2015-16 migration programme to 2525 places.

As a result places for accountants were quickly filled and the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) announced that invitations to accountants will be issued in a pro rata arrangement.

The Points Required for Accountants are Going UP!

According to the latest invitation round (7 September 2015) results, accountants are only receiving Invitations to Apply (ITA) if:

• The application scored 70 points or more (65 points required in the previous round), and
• The application was lodged in August 2015 or earlier

Occupations in ANZSCO group 2212 – Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers will no longer receive ITAs in this programme year as the occupational ceiling has been met. This means that applicants within this group of nominated occupations will have to wait until at least next year to receive an ITA. A reminder to all that the Expression of Interest (EOI) will only be stored on the DIBP Skill Select system for 2 years. Will accountants get the same treatment?

What Can You Do if You are Migrating as an Accountant?

The main strategy will be to obtain as many points as possible to receive an ITA. There are a few ways to increase your points, such as:

• Taking English exams to achieve Superior English
• Completing a Professional Year in Australia
• Obtaining Australian Work Experience
• Completing a tertiary course from an institute that qualifies for Regional Study Points
• Obtaining State Sponsorship

Superior English

Achieving English exam results at a Superior level will allow you to claim 20 points, versus 10 points for Proficient English. With the availability of other English exams (visit our blog here for all the options), you might be able to improve your English scores and meet Superior English requirements. To achieve Superior English you need to achieve the following:

Professional Year

An additional 5 points are available if you completed a Professional Year in Australia. These Professional Year courses are offered by the following organisations:

• Australian Computer Society
• CPA Australia
• Institute of Chartered Accountants of Australia
• Institute of Public Accountants (formerly the National Institute of Accountants)
• Engineers Australia

You can find out more about the Professional Year at the organisations’ website

Australian Work Experience

If you have work experience in Australia you stand to gain 5 more points as compared to any overseas work experience that you are claiming, i.e. 3 years of work experience from overseas will give you 5 points, whereas 3 years of work experience in Australia will give you 10 points. This will be helpful if you are thinking about working in Australia under a temporary work visa and then consider General Skilled Migration at a later stage.

Regional Study Points

You can claim an additional 5 points (on top of the 5 points awarded for Australian studies) if your campus was located in a regional postcode. A list of regional Australia postcodes is available on the DIBP website (link). A note is that you must meet the Australian Study requirements to claim these points.

Applying for State Sponsorship

There has been a rush for state sponsorship or nomination to increase the points of an accountant’s application and gain a higher possibility to receive an ITA. The increased demand for state sponsorship has made state authorities increase the requirements for accountants to receive state sponsorship. Examples of such increased requirements include:

• In-field work experience
• The applicant was a graduate from the state/territory that is sponsoring, etc.

It is important to note that if you applied for a 489 Regional State Sponsorship you will receive 10 points in comparison to 5 points for a 190 State Sponsorship. It may be worth considering going Regional to obtain an ITA.

In summary accountants are looking at a longer timeframe before receiving an ITA to proceed with a visa application. If you are a student currently enrolled in an accounting course the pathway to a permanent visa after graduation looks to be increasingly difficult.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The points score required for accountants increased from 65 points in the earlier invitation round to 70 points in the last round. This means that accountants who have submitted an EOI are getting higher point scores either by scoring higher English test scores, or obtaining regional state sponsorship. This may be a good strategy for now but that will eventually increase the points score required to receive an ITA.

Other pathways?

An alternative would be to consider other visa pathways such as employer sponsored visas (457, 186, 187) instead of waiting to receive an ITA under General Skilled Migration. A practical step would be to take up an internship or work experience during your studies for the following reasons:

• You gain local Australian work experience, which will help you in your job search when you graduate
• You expose yourself to Australian businesses that may be willing to sponsor you for a position when you complete your studies

What If I am planning to study in Australia now?

For students thinking about permanent residency after the completion of studies it may be better to study in a field other than accounting. Other industries to consider include Engineering  or Nursing.

This information is accurate on 23 October 2015

Source:

1. http://www.border.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Pages/SkillSelect-7-September-2015-Round-Results.aspx

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

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

China reduces threshold to attract more skilled migrants! Australia faces more competition in attracting skilled migrants!

A recent joint statement released by the Communist Party of China Central Committee Organization Department, the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs has indicated a pursuit of overseas talent by a country that traditionally has a net emigration rate and suffers from brain drain as talents pursue employment overseas. China only makes up for 0.4% of the total immigrant population in the world according to 2013 data¹. That means out of the total 231,522,200 migrants in the world, only 848,500 are in China. Australia records 2.8% (6,468,600) while Singapore (a country that consistently attracts overseas talent to settle and accumulate human capital) records 1.0% - 2,323,300 (impressive for a country with a population of only 5.4 million in 2013 and a country land size of 718 square kilometres). The announcement shows that China is looking to amass talented professionals and perhaps prepare for a predicted global workforce crisis according to this interesting article by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG).

According to the statement China will be looking to attract overseas talent by introducing preferential policies in visa applications, residence permits, settling in China as well as exit/entry convenience that was previously strict for overseas arrivals. More details will be provided by the authorities in the later part of the year.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The announcement made by the Chinese authorities basically means more competition for skilled workers in the region. According to the Department of Employment total employment for Australia is projected to increase by 838,100 (7.2 per cent) reaching 12,442,700 by November 2018². Net skilled migration is required to ensure the national workforce does not shrink to meet the expected demand.

To remain attractive for overseas skilled workers to settle in Australia, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) may need to consider its skilled migration policy settings and requirements, as well as further improve service standards for visa applications to be processed in a timely manner. A review of the temporary work visas are already underway as highlighted in our earlier article.

Source:

From the article - China further lowers threshold to attract overseas talent

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2015-01/25/content_19401866.htm

1. Trends in International Migrant Stock: The 2013 Revision

2. http://lmip.gov.au/default.aspx?LMIP/EmploymentProjections

This information is accurate on the 6 February 2015

Do You Need Help With Your Australia Visa Application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants with visa applications for Skilled Migration including Independent and State Sponsored visas, state sponsorship applications as well as employer-sponsored visas.

If you require further information regarding a review or your appeal options you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

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

Five tips for the IELTS test by English tutor Fran Reid.

1.      Know what the examiners want for each section of the test.

Each section of the test is marked according to certain criteria, knowing what the examiner is looking for will help you to target your responses.

2.      Speak, listen, read and write English as much as possible.

‘Using’ English in your everyday life will improve your confidence in using English in a relaxed way.

3.      Practice the test on a regular basis.

Practice gives you a feel for the timing of the test and increases your self confidence by giving you a realistic idea of your English capabilities.

         4.   Manage your time so you have a quiet space for practice.

Make sure you are in a good position to prepare for the test. Work and family responsibilities often get in the way of studies so plan for this study period.

5.      Engage a tutor or not?

Taking IELTS preparation classes provides you with a controlled environment where a tutor will monitor your work and give you feedback to help you understand where you need to improve.

Do You Need Help with the IELTS Test?

At MarketPlaceEnglish I assist people with the IELTS Test using authentic practice materials and providing constructive feedback.

I am a qualified and experienced tutor having helped hundreds of people gain their desired band score.

I provide English tuition in the city of Adelaide in South Australia.

If I can be of assistance or you require further information and would like to make a booking please contact Frances on:

Phone: 042 117 8286

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

General Skilled Migration 190/489 - South Australian State nomination made easier for UK Canada NZ US and Rep of Ireland

Immigration SA has made it easier for citizens and current passport holders of exempt countries to apply for South Australian state nomination.

Exempt Countries include:

United Kingdom
Canada
New Zealand
United States of America
Republic of Ireland

If you are a citizen or passport holder of one of the listed exempt countries, you no longer need to provide an English test result (IELTS or OET) to Immigration SA regardless of Immigration SA’s English requirement for your occupation.

If you are an International Graduate of South Australia and a citizen or passport holder of one of the listed exempt countries, you can also access the Immigration SA work experience waiver for ‘available’ occupations. See point eight under eligibility requirements for information on how to qualify for a work experience waiver.

Please note you may still require an IELTS or OET to gain additional points on the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) points test. Additionally Skills Assessing Authorities and Registration / Licensing bodies in South Australia have their own English / work experience requirements so people from exempt countries need to ensure they can meet those requirements prior to applying for state nomination.

Source and date of accuracy:

Immigration SA:

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

 This information is accurate on the 16 September  2014.  Immigration SA and DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experience in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa optionsyou can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

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

All Australian Migration Skills assessments over three years old will expire on 1 July 2014

Amendments to the Migration Regulations will come into effect on the 1 July 2014, that put an expiry date on skills assessments.

Skills assessments issued by assessing authorities for the purpose of visa applications will only be valid for three years, or if the skills assessing authority has specified a shorter validity period, for that shorter period. The default three year validity period is to align with the existing three year validity period for English Language tests.

This means that Skills Assessments that are over 3 years from the date of issue, will effectively expire on 1 July 2014.

What should I do with my skills assessment?

So if you have a skills assessment, older than 3 years, then the best thing to do is to lodge an application you are eligible for by 30 June 2014. 

This could be a problem for many, if state nomination lists are closed or occupations are not currently available for sponsorship.

Source:

Migration Legislation Amendment (2014 Measures No. 1) Regulation 2014

Select Legislative Instrument No. 82, 2014

http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L00726/Download

This information is accurate on the 17 June 2014.  DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experience in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa options you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

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