South Australian Immigration News

End of Financial Year approaches! Online application system shutdowns and more!

End of Financial Year approaches! Online application system shutdowns and more!


Key terms: Migration Policy Changes – Online system outages – 1 July Changes – Western Australia State Migration – State Sponsorship – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa – Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored visa – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) – Australian citizenship

 

ImmiAccount System Outage on 30 June 2017

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has announced that the ImmiAccount system will not be available from the following times:

New South Wales, Victoria, ACT, Queensland

9pm AEST Friday 30 June until 1pm Saturday 1 July 2017

South Australia, Northern Territory

8.30pm ACST Friday 30 June until 12.30pm Saturday 1 July 2017

Western Australia

7pm AWST Friday 30 June until 11am Saturday 1 July 2017

If you are thinking about submitting an online visa application you will need to do so before the times above.

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Immigration South Australia announces changes to High Points Nomination and Chain Migration!

Immigration South Australia announces changes to High Points Nomination and Chain Migration!

Key terms: South Australia State Sponsorship – Chain Migration – High Points Nomination - Supplementary Skill List – Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated Visa – Subclass 489 Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa

Immigration South Australia (SA) has announced changes to its state sponsorship programme effective yesterday, 5th April 2017. Two major changes were announced and the details are below.


Change to High Points Requirement

Immigration SA allows access to the Supplementary Skill List of occupations if a SkillSelect applicant is able to meet the high points requirement on the points test. Starting from yesterday the high points requirements has been increase from 80 to 85 points. Applicants will now need to seek additional 5 points to nominate occupations on the Supplementary Skill List or special condition occupations.

 

Occupations no longer eligible for High Points or Chain Migration Nomination

 

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Can you score 80 points on the Australia Skilled Migration Points Test? South Australia wants you if you can!

Can you score 80 points on the Australia Skilled Migration Points Test? South Australia wants you if you can!

 2018 UPDATE:

Australian SkillSelect Round Results September/August 2018 - Skilled Independent & Regional Visa Occupation Lists

 

Since 1 July 2015, Immigration South Australia (SA) has implemented a Supplementary Skilled List in addition to the normal State Occupation List as part of its state sponsorship programme. The Supplementary Skilled List includes all occupations that are not on the SA State Occupation List but are on the Federal Consolidated Skilled Occupational List (CSOL). Some of the occupations that can be accessed on the Supplementary Skilled List include:

  • Generic business professionals such as Marketing, Advertising and HR professionals – Marketing Specialists, Marketing Managers, Recruitment Consultants, Commodities Traders
  • Management Consultants and Policy Analysts
  • Sales Representatives – Medical, ICT or Industrial
  • Education professionals for example Lecturers, primary and secondary School Teachers
  • Engineering Technicians
  • Tradesworkers – Toolmakers, Florists, Sound Technicians, Interior Decorators, etc.

Who will benefit from the South Australia Supplementary Skilled List?

The SA Supplementary Skilled List is helpful for the following people:

  • Applicants with occupations that are not suitable for a Skilled-Independent Subclass 189 visa, i.e. the nominated occupation is not on the Federal Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
  • The applicant’s nominated occupation does not have a state or territory available to sponsor for a Skilled Sponsored Subclass 190 visa or a Skilled Regional Sponsored Subclass 489 visa

That is great! How can I access the South Australia Supplementary Skilled List?

An applicant can access the Supplementary Skilled List if they can meet one of the following conditions:

Click on the links above to find out more details from the Immigration SA website. Applicants will still need to fulfil the general state sponsorship requirements.

Is it possible to accumulate 80 points for the Skilled Migration Points Test?

Typically most skilled applications claim 60 to 70 points for their applications. To claim 80 points applicants are likely to have Superior English ability, age between 25 and 32 years and have Australian studies or a PhD. Here is an example:

Age (25 – 32 years)

30

Work Experience (8 years)

15

Superior English (IELTS 8 or equivalent)

20

Qualifications comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree

15

Australian Studies

5

Australian Studies in a Regional Area

5

SA State Sponsorship (190)

5

TOTAL

95

As demonstrated above it is possible to achieve the 80 points required with some room for manoeuvre.

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

At a recent meeting with Immigration SA, it was interesting to find out that there were a lot of applications submitted for the Supplementary Skilled List occupations under the claims for 80 points or more. As the only state sponsorship authority willing to consider all occupations on the CSOL, it is not surprising that many applicants now flock towards SA to obtain state sponsorship. However, applicants should thoroughly check and make sure that they can meet the points claimed to ensure a successful state sponsorship application.

Applicants should also consider the other criteria to access the Supplementary Skilled List. The current South Australian employment and chain migration criteria will definitely be useful for temporary overseas workers in SA and the relatives of Australian permanent residents in SA.

If the large numbers of applications submitted to Immigration SA thus far are all eligible, we might see Immigration SA suspend certain occupations for state sponsorship as some of the occupations will hit the state planning numbers for the fiscal year. It would be best to apply as soon as possible. Contact us now to find out if you can apply for SA state sponsorship.

Source:

  1. http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process/eligibility-summary

This information is accurate on 4 August 2015

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.

 

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Immigration SA Releases Occupation List – good for ICT Professionals, Trades and Enrolled Nurses; and other news

Immigration SA Releases Occupation List – good for ICT Professionals, Trades and Enrolled Nurses; and other news

 

More news in relation to the Australian migration programme in the new fiscal year! Here is an overview:

  • Immigration SA is the first to release its Occupation Lists for State Sponsorship
  • Amendments to the SOL and the CSOL (Dentists and Urban Planners take note)
  • Austrade becomes a nominator for the SIV programme

Immigration SA releases Occupation List

Immigration South Australia has published their occupation lists and will be accepting applications for state sponsorship on the 6 July 2015. All occupations are now listed as “High Availability” but it is expected that places for popular occupations will be filled up very quickly, especially since no other state or territory has published a new list of occupations for sponsorship. Here is a highlight of the SA occupation list:

  • All ICT occupations are available for sponsorship
  • Registered Nurses (nec), Enrolled Nurses and Mothercraft Nurses are available for sponsorship
  • Mining and Oil & Gas occupations are not on the list
  • Applicants who register 80 points or higher in the Skillselect pool can now access the Supplementary Skilled List

A reminder that Immigration SA now charges for processing a state sponsorship application. Read up in our previous news post about the fees applicable here. There are also updates to the English requirements.

On a separate note ACT (Canberra) will announce their occupation list in August 2015.

Amendments to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)

There have been amendments to the SOL and CSOL, specifically:

  • Urban & Regional Planners, Dental Specialist and Dentists are removed from the SOL and moved to the CSOL – this means that these occupations now require state sponsorship
  • Panelbeater and Cabinetmaker are removed from the CSOL and moved to the SOL
  • Primary School Teacher is removed from the CSOL

Austrade becomes a Nominator for the Significant Investor Visa (SIV)

In addition to the Australian states and territories Austrade is now a nominator for the SIV programme. The application fee for nomination is A$ 1000 which is significantly higher than other states and territories. However applicants nominated by Austrade will be allowed to settle down in any part of Australia.

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

Immigration SA is taking the lead in receiving new applications for state sponsorship in the new fiscal year. However the allocation numbers for SA are usually low so expect places to be filled up quickly. You should apply as soon as possible on the 6 July 2015. The new role of Austrade as a SIV nominator is also beneficial for applicants who do not have a preferred location for settlement as they will not be geographically restricted.

Work Visa Lawyers will bring you more updates as soon as they are announced.

This information is accurate on 2 July 2015

Source:

  1. http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process/skilled-nomination-changes-1st-july-2015
  2. http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists
  3. https://www.austrade.gov.au/invest/doing-business-in-australia/significant-and-premium-investor-programmes/significant-and-premium-investor-visa-programmes?utm_campaign=Significant+and+Premium+Investor+Visa+Programmes_20150701&utm_medium=email&utm_source=ministerialannouncement_20150701

 

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.

 

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Announced Changes from Immigration South Australia

Announced Changes from Immigration South Australia

 

Immigration SA has published a list of upcoming changes for the new financial year 2014-15. Here are the pending changes that will come into effect on 1 July 2015:

1) New State Occupation List

Applicants looking for South Australia state sponsorship will have to refer to the new occupation list on 1 July to determine eligibility and additional requirements.

2) New English Requirements

ICT occupations now need to fulfil Proficient English or an overall score of Proficient Plus English.

Engineering occupations will need to meet Competent Plus English or an overall score of Proficient English.

There will also be changes to other occupations so you will need to check the new occupation list to find out occupation-specific requirements.

3) Closure of the Online Application System

The SA application system for the 190 and 489 state sponsorship will be closed at 1 p.m. (Adelaide time) on 30 June 2015. The system will only re-open at 12 p.m. on 1 July 2015. All applications that are saved or submitted WITHOUT PAYMENT will be deleted and you will need to lodge new applications. Applications submitted on 1 July 2015 or after will be subject to new state sponsorship requirements.

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

It is beneficial that Immigration SA has released a list of changes (although not complete) that will be in effect on 1 July 2015. This serves as a reminder to all who are looking to obtain SA state sponsorship to complete their applications and submit payment before the closure of the system. As there may be a rush for submissions near the closure, you are advised to complete the submission as early as possible before the closure date.

Source:

  1. http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/news-events/news-releases/revised-south-australian-state-occupation-list-from-1-july-2015

This information is accurate on 25 June 2015

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.

 

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