After 17 days Australia finally has a Government – Election Result
After 17 nail biting days of political wrangling Australia finally has a government, and keeps its first female Prime Minister!
A labour majority was won last night, after 17 days of wrangling, when the 3 deciding votes were finally cast by independent MPs. and went in Julia Guillard’s favour, by one. labour will now form a minority government, which means that accountability and scrutiny will be at an all time high.
We do not yet know what impact the new minority labour government will have on migration law, however, the formation of a government will at least mean that the Department can now shift from a “caretaker” mode into a normal working mode. Hopefully this also means that the eagerly awaited State Migration Plans (SMPs) will also be released shortly.
Click here for more information about the election result.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
New Zealand Skills Lists – 8 September Amendments
Posted by admin in NZ Immediate Skills Shortage List, NZ Long Terms Skills Shortage List, New Zealand, New Zealand Immigration Law, New Zealand Skilled Migrant selection, New Zealand Visa Requirements on September 6th, 2010
As part of its biannual review, the INZ has announced the following amendments to its skilled occupations lists, which will come into force on 8 September (NZ time):
Immediate Skills Shortage List (ISSL)
This list is used in the approval of temporary work visa and permit applications.
If your occupation is listed on this list, and you have an offer of employment in that occupation, the INZ officers will automatically accept that there are no suitably qualified New Zealand citizens or residents available to undertake the role.
The current revision has seen the following occupations being deleted off the ISSL:
• Architectural Designer
• Architectural Draughtsperson (Civil CAD Designer)
• Architectural Draughtsperson
• Graphic Artist
• Fire Alarm Technician
• Florist (Senior)
• Gas Fitter
• Vehicle Body Builder (Bus or Coach only)
• Horse Trainer (Stallion Master)
• Horse Trainer (Stud Groom)
• Jockey
• Trackwork Rider
• Telecommunications Technician
• Marine Designer – now added to the LTSSL
• Systems Analyst - now added to the LTSSL
• Software Engineer - now added to the LTSSL
• ICT Support and Test Engineer - now added to the LTSSL
The following occupations have been added to the ISSL:
• Automotive Technician (Motor Mechanic)
• Scaffolder (Advanced)
Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
This list is used as a source of occupations which, if listed, can result in the reward of bonus points for points test purposes. The list is also used to identify migrants who may qualify for the work to residence visa program.
The current revision of the LTSSL has led to the addition of the following occupations to the LTSSL:
• Ship’s Officer
• Ship’s Master
• Forest Scientist
• Conductor (Conductive Education Practitioner)*
• Construction Project Manager (Chip Sealing, Asphalt or other Technical Manager) (Roading and Infrastructure)*
• Construction Project Manager (Roading and Infrastructure)*
• Ship’s Engineer*
Only one occupation has been deleted from the list, and that is the occupation of architect.
Please see the full lists by clicking here: Amendment Circular LTSSL and ISSL September 2010
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Priority Processing for Australian Skilled Visas
Posted by admin in 1 July 2010, Australia, Australia - News, Australian Migration Legislation, CSL, Chris Evans Minister for Immigration, MODL, State and Territory Nominations on July 19th, 2010
The Australian Department of Immigration – DIAC – has made a number of important changes to the skilled visa system in the last 18 months. These changes (see previous posts) have had an impact on the way a visa application is treated with priority for the purposes of processing times.
In light of this, the Minister for Immigration has just released the latest update with respect to priority processing, which takes into account the latest 1 July changes to the Migration Regulations and law:
1. First to be processed will be Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and the RSMS.
2. Second to be processed will be Applications from people who are nominated by a state/territory under new state or territory’s state migration plans (these have yet to be released).
3. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the new Skilled Occupation List – SOL – Schedule 3.
4. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.
These visa subclasses are NOT effected by priority processing:
• Skilled – Recognised Graduate subclass 476 Visas
• Skilled – Graduate subclass 485 Visas
• Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Residence) subclass 883 Visas
• Skilled – Regional subclass 887 Visas.
More information on the changes to the GSM program is available from the departmental website by following these links:
New Skilled Occupations List ist (SOL)
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Demand for Skilled Workers in Australia – On the Rise Again
Posted by admin in Australia, Australia - News, Australian Employment, Moving to Australia, employment on July 12th, 2010
According to the Bureau of Statistics, Australia, the demand for workers in Australia is still on the rise:
June saw Australia’s unemployment rate calling to 5.1 per cent, the lowest recorded rate since January 2009. This translates to a net rise of approximately 45,900 jobs. Well above the predicted job rate increase and the biggest net jobs gain since since January.
Of course the implications of the increasing demand for jobs should mean that politicians stop playing politics, and start looking at the real numbers and what such shortages bode for the Australian economy.
Click here for more information about job rates and here for more about the impact of rising job demands on migration and the economy.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Government Approves Paid Parental Leave
Posted by admin in Australia, Australia - News on June 17th, 2010
After much debate the Australian Parliament has finally approved a Paid Parental Leave scheme which will see mothers and fathers of new borns enjoying 18 weeks of paid parental leave at the national minimum wage level.
Employers will be liable to pay both the government’s pay under the new scheme as well as any additional entitlements under existing employment or labour contracts.
The scheme will come into force in January 2011.
For more information visit The Age’s article.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Visa Fees – Increase
Posted by admin in Australia, DIAC, Visa Application Fees on June 15th, 2010
There will be a slight increase of between AUD$ to AUD$50 in all Australian visa application fees from 1 July 2010.
In addition, many visa application forms will be updated from 1 July 2010.
Please see the Australian Department of Immigration’s website for more information.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
New Australian Skilled Occupations List – SOL – is Released
Posted by admin in 1 July 2010, Australia, Australian Skills Assessments, SOL, Skilled Occupations List, Skills Assessments on May 17th, 2010
The long awaited new Skilled Occupations List has finally been announced by the Australian Minister of Immigration.
The full list can be downloaded by following this link:
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf
This list will apply from 1 July 2010.
The new list excludes a number of occupations, including some trades (cooks, hairdressers and fitters), general business occupations, science occupations, primary school teachers, some associate professional occupations.
HOWEVER, please be aware that even if your occupation is no longer included on the new list, it may well be included on the shortly to be released new State Sponsorship Lists. This means that even if you have not yet lodged your visa application, and your occupation is no longer listed on the new SOL, you may still be able to apply for the Skilled State Sponsored Permanent Visa.
Similarly, if your occupation is no longer on the new Skilled Occupations List, you will still be able to apply for:
- A Graduate Skilled Subclass 485 – providing you held a qualifying student visa on 8 February 2010.
- Employer Sponsored Visas (the Employer Nomination Scheme visas, RSMS and Business Long Stay Subclass 457 visas.
- State Sponsored Visas.
The new listed occupations are defined in accordance with the ANZSCO Code and not the ASCO Code and therefore carry new skilled occupation numbers. However, a transition period will apply whereby assessments containing the old definitions will continue to be valid for visa application purposes.
Last but not least, if you have already applied for your visa you are not affected by this change.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you require any more information about the above changes.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
NZ Visa Application Fees – Update
Posted by admin in NZ, NZ Visa Application Fees, New Zealand, New Zealand Immigration Law, New Zealand Skilled Visas, New Zealand Visa Requirements on May 14th, 2010
The current fees payable for New Zealand visa applications that are lodged outside of New Zealand will be updated on 31 May 2010.
Details of the new fees will be available on the INZ website here:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/migrant/general/formsandfees/officeandfeescalculator/LinkAdministration/ToolboxLinks/officeandfeescalculator.htm
Details of the new fees are available now via an attachment that can be downloaded from the INZ website here:
http://www.immigration.govt.nz/NR/rdonlyres/64719737-046F-4C40-B197-3D32A3DC59F2/0/Feesscheduleeffective30May10Branch.xls
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
The Australian Budget and its Impact on Migration
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Budget, Australian Migration Legislation, Australian Skilled Visas, Chris Evans Minister for Immigration, DIAC, Department of Immigration on May 13th, 2010
The Australian Government’s Budget for 2010-11 spells mostly good news for people who want to migrate to Australia on a temporary or permanent basis.
In particular, the immigration program is set to remain at about the current size, with small changes to some of the visa schemes, in line with the Government’s aim to continue to focus on current demand driven migration. This means that the focus will continue to be on individuals who can help fill Australian’s skilled shortages, and individuals who have an employer on board ready to provide sponsorships.
With this in mind, the total number of migrant places will remain at the current level of 168,700 places. Of this number about 113,850 places will be reserved for skilled migrants (this is an increase of about 5000 places, with most being reserved for employer sponsored skilled migrants) and 54,550 places for family migrants (a decrease of about 5000 places).
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skilled Visas – Temporary Suspension of Some Skilled Visas Lodgments
Posted by admin in 1 July 2010, Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, DIAC, Department of Immigration, SOL, Skilled Occupations List on May 11th, 2010
The Australian Department of Immigration (DIAC) announced a number of changes over the weekend that have an impact on the preparation and lodgment of some skilled visa applications.
In particular the Department has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of any new General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications until the much anticipated new Skilled Occupations List will become law on 1 July 2010.
(The final version of the new list was supposed to have been released by the end of April, but will not now be released until later this month.)
Although we do not know which occupations will be included in the final version of the new Skilled Occupations List, a draft list of the new skilled occupations that has been released contains the following occupations:
1331* Construction Managers
1332 Engineering Managers
1341 Child care centre managers
1342 Health and welfare services managers
2633 Telecommunications engineering professionals
1343 School principals
2711 Barristers(d)
1344 Other education managers
2712 Judicial and other legal professionals(d)
2211 Accountants(a)
2713 Solicitors(d)
2212 Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers(b)
2723 Psychologists
2221 Financial brokers
2725 Social workers
2241 Actuaries, mathematicians and statisticians(c)
3122 Civil engineering draftspersons and technicians
2245 Land economists and valuers
3132 Telecommunications technical specialists
2311 Air transport professionals
3211 Automotive electricians
2312 Marine transport professionals
3212 Motor mechanics
2321 Architects and landscape architects
3221 Metal casting, forging and finishing trades workers
2322 Cartographers and surveyors
3222 Sheet metal trades workers
2326 Urban and regional planners
3231 Aircraft maintenance engineers
2331 Chemical and materials engineers
3233 Precision metal trades workers
2332 Civil engineering professionals
3241 Panel beaters
2333 Electrical engineers
3243 Vehicle painters
2334 Electronics engineers
3311 Bricklayers and stonemasons
2335 Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
3312 Carpenters and joiners
2336 Mining engineers
3321 Floor finishers
2339 Other engineering professionals
3322 Painting trades workers
2341 Agricultural and forestry scientists
3331 Glaziers
2346 Medical laboratory scientists
3332 Plasterers
2347 Veterinarians
3334 Wall and floor tilers
2393 Teachers of English to speakers of other languages
3341 Plumbers
2411 Early childhood (pre-primary school) teachers
3411 Electricians
2544 Registered Nurses
2611 ICT Business and Aystems analysts2613 Software and applications programmers
2412 Primary school teachers
3421 Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
2413 Middle school teachers
3422 Electrical distribution trades workers
2414 Secondary school teachers
3423 Electronics trades workers
2415 Special education teachers
3942 Wood machinists and other wood trades workers
2421 University lecturers and tutors
3991 Boat builders and shipwrights
2511 Dieticians 3996 Sign writers
2512 Medical imaging professionals
4112 Dental hygienists, technicians and therapists
2514 Optometrists and orthoptists
4114 Enrolled and mothercraft nurses
2515 Pharmacists
4115 Indigenous health workers
2521 Chiropractors and osteopaths
4231 Aged and disabled carers
2523 Dental practitioners
4233 Nursing support and personal care workers
2524 Occupational therapists
4412 Fire and emergency workers
2525 Physiotherapists
4413 Police
2526 Podiatrists
2527 Speech professionals and audiologists
2531 Generalist medical practitioners
2532 Anaesthetists
2533 Internal medicine specialists
2534 Psychiatrists
2535 Surgeons
2539 Other medical practitioners
2542 Nurse educators and researchers
2543 Nurse managers
(* The ANZSCO unit group code number; (a) CPA or equivalent; (b) Auditors only; (c) Actuaries only; (d) Legal professionals admitted to practice only.)
Irrespective of the above list, Australian States have indicated that State Sponsorship Lists will be updated and expanded on 1 July 2010 and will contain occupations that may not appear on the new skilled occupations list. In other words, although an occupation may not be listed on the new Skilled Occupations List, this does not mean that a skilled individual will be unable to migrate to Australia under one of the skilled visa categories.
Other possible changes in July 2010 may be an increase in the age threshold; for most visas this is currently limited to individuals who are under 45 years of age.
It is also possible that there will be some changes to the current skilled points test.
Further information about the above changes or any future changes will be posted on this website as and when they become available.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skilled Occupations List – Postponed
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, CSL, DIAC, Department of Immigration, MODL, SOL, Skilled Occupations List on May 4th, 2010
The much anticipated release of the Department of Immigration’s (DIAC) new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) has been postponed.
The new list was to be released by the end of April, or in early May. The early release of the list would have allowed visa applicants who may be disadvantaged by the list to submit their visa applications prior to the new list coming into force in July 2010.
The delay in the release of the list may mean that those who may be affected by any changes in the list will not have enough notice to ensure that they submit their visa applications prior to July 2010.
Our advice is for all applicants who are able to submit their visa applications prior to 1 July 2010 to seriously consider doing so as soon as possible. Submission prior to July 2010 will mean that their visa applications should be considereed under the existing list rather than the new list.
This advice is particularly important for individuals in occupations that are expected to be removed from the skilled occupations list, such as hairdressers and cooks.
Please feel free to contact us if you require any further information or adivce about the proposed changes to the SOL and how such changes may affect you.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
NZ Visa Requirements Update: Licensing, Retirement, Investor and Working Holiday Visas
Posted by admin in NZ, New Zealand, New Zealand Immigration Law, New Zealand Visa Requirements, Parent Visas, Working Holiday Visa on April 18th, 2010
Immigration New Zeaaland has recently updated a number of its visa requirements and criteria, including the following:
Compulsory Licensing to Overseas NZ Advisers and Employers
From the 4th of May 2010 all individuals who will be providing immigration advice in realtion to New Zealand, including employers outside New Zealand who provide immigration advice to incoming staff in relation to New Zealand, will have to be licensed by the Immigration Advisers Authority (the Authority), unless they qualify for an exemption.
More information on the licensing requirement, and obligations of licensed New Zealand immigration adivce providers can be found at the New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority website.
New Short-Term Work Visas - the Silver Fern Job Search & the Silver Fern Practical Experience Visas
Silver Fern Job SearchVisa
New Zealand has created two new immigration policies that will allow certain foreign nationals between the ages of 20 and 35 to seek employment, work, or receive on-the-job training. – will take effect on April 27, 2010.
The Silver Fern Job Search Visa will allow individuals able to work for up to nine months, anywhere in New Zealand for any employer in any type of position.
To qualify, an applicant will have to be able to show evidence of having funds of at least NZ$4,200; have a genuine intention to work in New Zealand, have adequate English language skills (IELTS 6.5), and hold an educational or prior experience qualification that is eligible for points under the Skilled Migrant category.
The applicant will also have to pass a full medical examination and provide police clearances from each country of nationality, in addition to any other countries the applicant has resided in for at least 5 years since turning 17.
Silver Fern Job Search Visa
This visa will be available to individuals who already hold a Silver Fern Job Search permit or a Silver Fern Practical Experience permit, and have received an offer of skilled employment in New Zealand for at least 12 months. Work permits issued under this policy will be valid for a maximum period of 24 months, including renewals.
In both cases accompanying family members must obtain their own visa and permit based on their own qualifications.
New Retirement Visas
Individuals seeking to retire in New Zealand, including parents of permanent residents, can now apply for either the Parent Retirement Category and the Temporary Retirement Category Visas. These new visas provide additional options for parents to join their children in New Zealand under a significantly shorter application process than the normal permanent residency policies.
Parent Retirement Category Visa
To obtain permanent residency under the Parent Retirement Category Visa, applicants will be expecteed to:
(1) meet the “centre of gravity” test (i.e. the number of children of the parent-applicant actually residing in New Zealand as citizens or permanent residents must equal or exceed the number of his or her children residing as citizens or permanent residents in any other country);
(2) make a four-year investment of NZ$1 million in New Zealand; and
(3) have an additional NZ$500,000 in liquid assets for personal support plus an annual income of at least NZ$60,000 at the time of application.
Temporary Retirement Category Visa
Applicants must:
(1) be at least 66 years old;
(2) make a two-year investment of NZ$750,000 in New Zealand;
(3) have additional liquid assets of NZ$500,000 for personal support plus an annual income of NZ$60,000 at the time of application; and
(4) must maintain full medical insurance for the duration of their stay in New Zealand.
Please contact us if you require any further information about any of the above mentioned visas.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
TRA – Trades Recognition Australia – Criteria Update
Posted by admin in Australian Skills Assessments, TRA, TRA Forms on April 18th, 2010
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) is the skills assessing body for many Australian skilled occupations, including most trade occupations. The TRA has recently updated it’s skills assessment criteria to include a requirement that applicants now include evidence of recent work experience.
In fact all applications received by TRA after 1 January 2010 are subject to this requirement.
The TRA has clarified that in the event that an application submitted to TRA before 1 May 2010, does not meet the Skilled Worker Program assessment criteria, applicants will be given 60 days to provide any extra information that may be required or the option to withdraw their application and have their fee refunded. No fee will be applied to applicants submitting additional information under this arrangement.
Please visit www.deewr.gov.au/tra to find all the information required to lodge an application to have a skills assessment with TRA.
ACT State Sponsored List – Updated
Posted by admin in Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australian State Sponsored Visas on March 23rd, 2010
The Australian Capital Territory has updated its state sponsored list and will apply the updated list from 1 April 2010.
As of 1 April the following occupations will no longer be considered for ACT Government sponsorship:
- 2294 – Business and Organisation Analyst
- 2221 – Marketing and Advertising Professionals
- 2533 – Designer and Illustrators
- 2422 – Teacher VET
Sponsorship of the occupation of 3421 – Welfare Associate Professionals – will be limited.
And sponsorship of the following occupations will now be considered under the quota list (this means that the ACT must be contacted first, to ascertain whether your state sponsorship application will be considered):
2231-11 Systems Manager; Proficient English.
2231-13 Systems Designer; Proficient English.
2231-15 Software Designer; Proficient English.
2231-17 Applications and Analyst Programmer; Proficient English.
2231-19 Systems Programmer; Proficient English.
2231-21Computer Systems Auditor; Proficient English.
2211 – Accountant; Proficient English.
2212 – Accountant – External Auditor; Proficient English.
4931 – Hairdresser – Proficient English.
Australian Skilled Visa Programme Changes – and Their Impact
Significant changes have been announced to the Australian Skilled Migration Programme, including:
1) The MODL (List of Migration Occupations in Demand) has been removed:
This does not affect individuals who have already applied for their visas, or who hold Skilled Graduate Visas.
Most applicants who have not yet applied for a skilled visa and who will be effected by the removal of the MODL may claim additional points by undertaking an IELTS test and obtaining 7 in each of the four sections of the test, and/or applying for a State Sponsored Visa.
The only applicants who will be able to claim MODL points now are:
a) Those who were granted or applied for 485 Skilled Graduate Visas before 8 February 2010 AND who apply for permanent skilled visas before 31 December 2012.
b) Those who applied for a Skilled Visa before 8 February 2010.
2) The current SOL (Skilled Occupations List) will be changed in the middle of 2010:
We understand this to mean that a new list will be introduced on 1 July 2010, but a firm date has not been announced. As the new list will reflect an update of current skills shortages throughout Australia, the Critical Skills List will no longer be needed and will be removed at the same time.
Anyone applying before mid 2010 will be able to apply under the current SOL and Critical Skills List.
3) Skilled Visa Applications lodged before 1 September 2007 will be capped:
Once the capped number is reached, the Department of Immigration will not process any remaining visa applications lodged before 1 September 2007. The Department will issue refunds of the visa application fees of those applicants whose visa applications will not be processed.
4) The points test that applies to the Skilled Visas will be reviewed in the first half of 2010:
The Department feels that the current points test does not lead to desirable outcomes in attracting “skilled” migrants. We anticipate that a new points test may be released as early as mid 2010 and that skilled trades people may no longer be awarded 60 points for their skills.
5) The current Priority Processing hierarchy has been updated, the first visas to be processed will be:
a) Applications from people who are sponsored by employers and applying for an ENS or RSMS visa.
b) Applications from people who are nominated by a state/territory government under a state migration plan agreed to by the minister. (We do not believe that any such agreements have yet been made by the states/territories).
c) Applications from people who are nominated by a state/territory government agency and whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills List (CSL).
d) Applications from people who are not state/territory nominated or sponsored, but whose nominated occupation is listed on the CSL.
e) Applications from people who are nominated by a state/territory government agency whose nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL.
f) Applications from people whose occupations are listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List
(MODL) OR aplications from people who are sponsored by family and whose nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL.
These applications may take up to 2 years to finalise.
g) All other applications (these will be processed in the order in which they are received).
These applications may take up to 3 years to finalise.
If you are worried about the effect of any of the above changes on your visa application please fee free to contact us for more information.
Australia – New MODL (migration occupations in demand list) and other changes to be announced on 8 Feb 2010
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Migration Legislation, DIAC, MODL on February 5th, 2010
According to the Australian newspaper The Age a new MODL list will be released on Monday, and some other changes will be announced by the Minister of Imigration of Australia.
If you are a hairdresser or a cook, and you need to claim MODL points, and you have a chance to submit your application before midnight Sunday (Australia time) – in other words, you already have your skills assessment – you should aim to get your application in as a matter of urgency.
This advice (above) is based not just on the article but also on rumours which have been around for about a year, or more, that hairdressers and cooks would come off the list.
Of course there is no telling what other occupations may come off, again, it is possible that other trades could come off the list, but the precise information will not be available until Monday the 8th of February (Australia time).
To read the whole article please follow this link:
[URL="http://www.theage.com.au/national/skilled-migration-shakeup-20100205-nip5.html"]http://www.theage.com.au/national/skilled-migration-shakeup-20100205-nip5.html
[/URL]
Obtaining Medical Checks in the UK and Ireland – Update
Having to obtain medical checks is a part fo many Australian visa applications. Until very recently, medical checks could be undertaken via Australian Government approved “panel doctors” based in the UK and Ireland.
However, the Department of Immigration (DIAC) will be rolling out a new system shortly whereby medical checks, and x-rays, will be undertaken in a number of specified medical centres. Information about the location of these centres has not yet been released, but should be available within a week or so.
Visa applicants who are currently organising your medical checks in the UK and Ireland should ensure that their “panel doctor” of choice is still able to provide the necesary service and that the results of their medical checks will be valid.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skills Assessment – 2010 Changes
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skills Assessments on January 11th, 2010
Teaching Australia and the Australian Computer Society will be updating their requirements shortly:
Teachers
New skills assessment criteria will come into force on 22 March 2010. Details of the available changes are availble here:
Computing Professionals
There are also new skills assessment criteria being introduced by the Australian Computer Society. These are particularly relevant to individuals with insufficient qualifications who will be applying for RPL stream assessment.
Details of the changes are available here:
http://www.acs.org.au/assessment/docs/UpcomingChanges20100201.pdf
These changes will apply from 1 February 2010.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australia – Skilled Occupations for Skilled Assessment List Released
In line with the Australian Government’s “job readiness” policy and subsequent changes to Australian Migration rules that came into effect on 1 January 2010 (see our previous news update), the Minister for Immigration has now released a list of occupations that are affected by the new changes.
The full list of occupations can be found here: List of Skilled Occupations for Skilled Assessment: Skilled Occupations List for Assessments
All applicants with occupations on this list who are applying for an offshore Skilled visa will now have to meet the work experience (at least 12 months of recent work experience at a skilled level) requirement in that occupation.
Similarly, onshore applicants with occupations on this list will be required to meet the job ready requirement as part of their skills assessment which now includes a 12 month recent work experience requirement.
If you applied for your visa before 1 January 2010, and you lodged a valid application at the time, you are not affected by these changes.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian DIAC Migration Law Changes – in force from 1 January 2010
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Visa Requirement, DIAC on December 18th, 2009
This is a summary of some very important changes that will effect all future offshore visa applicants and some lodged onshore visa applicants from 1 January 2010:
Onshore Applicants in the following subclasses will be required to provide a suitable skilled assessment at the time of application, not just proof that a skilled assessment has been applied for:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 885)
- Skilled Sponsored Visa (subclass 886)
- Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 487)
Further, some applicants will have to provide a skills assessment which has been completed on or after 1 January 2010 for specified gazetted occupations. (We do not know, as this stage, which occupations will appear on this list.)
Offshore Applicants in the following subclasses will be required to comply with new work experience requirements:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 175)
- Skilled Sponsored Visa (subclass 176)
- Skilled Regional Sponsored Visa (subclass 475)
In particular, visa applicants with a listed occupation will be required to show recent work experience in their occupation NOT just any skilled occupation. Again, the list of occupations affected has not yet been made available.
Please contact us via email, marking the subject matter as URGENT, if you believe that as a result of the above changes your application must be lodged prior to 1 January 2010. Although we are closed over the holiday period, in light of these changes we will be able to deal with urgent enquiries.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Department of Immigration – DIAC – on YouTube
Posted by admin in Australia, DIAC, Department of Immigration, Moving to Australia on December 16th, 2009
To find out more about the Australian Department of Immigration – commonly known as DIAC – and about migrating to Australia, you may want to have a look at some of the videos posted up by the DIAC.
You will find stories of interest from other migrants (who have already gone through the visa aopplication process) and more.
The website can be accessed by following this link: DIAC on YouTube.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skilled Visas – Processing Update
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Migration Legislation, Australian Visa Processing Times on December 10th, 2009
There is currently a huge amount of speculation on the internet, particularly on a number of migration forums, about when the Department of Immigration will or will not resume processing visa applications that have been lodged but are not on the Critican Skills List.
This is understandable, given that so many visa applicants have now been left in a state of limbo as to when their visa applications are likely to be processed and finalised.
For the sake of clarity, we would like to make the following points:
1) According to some sources (agents who are receiving emails from case officers in particular) it is likely that some offshore State/Territory Sponsored skilled visa applicants with non-Critical Skills List occupations will be processed shortly.
2) According to some sources from within the Department, non-CSL visa applicants who have obtained state sponsorship and have been asked to undertake character and health checks by their case officer will be the ones that will now be processed. However, according to other sources such applications are to be processed in chronological order of receipt, irrespective of the visa subclass and irrespective of whether or not character and medical checks have been requested.
3) Advice from the Department directly to agents is as follows:
“The Department is processing applications according to Ministerial Direction No. 42 – Order of consideration – certain Skilled Migration visas.
The Department anticipates that a small number of State sponsored non-CSL applications will be finalised this program year.
Finalisations will focus on applications where health and character checks have been requested by the case officer.”
We will post a further update as soon as he have a further update, from the Department of Immigration, about any changes to processing times and policies.
Construction workers, Engineers, miners – Shortages Increase in Australia
Posted by admin in Australia, Moving to Australia, Working in Australia on December 4th, 2009
According to The Age newspaper, the huge planned Chevron natural gas project (worth about $US40 billion) in Australia, together with other gas mining projects, will result in severe shortages of construction workers and will force the Department of Immigration to relax rules so that enough workers can enter the country and undertake work required to get the oriject underway.
Mining projects – about 12 are currently planned or underway - fuel Australia’s economy and workers hired by mining recruitment firms are reeady to offer high premiums for skilled workers such as welders, pipe fitters, project managers and engineers. In Western Australia alone, the State is predicting a shortage of about 40 000 construction workers. About 70 000 workers will be needed Australia wide in the next decade.
Click here to read the full story.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Student Visa Requirements – January 2010 Changes
Posted by admin in Australia, Student Visas for Australia on November 9th, 2009
On 1 January 2010 the department will apply new rules in calculating whether or not a student visa applicant is able to show that he/she has enough money to support himself/herself while in Australia on a student visa.
The new amounts will be:
- $18 000 per year for the main student
- $6300 per year for the student’s partner
- $3600 per year for the student’s first child
- $2700 per year for every other child; and where required
All visa applicants may be asked to prove that the funds they are relying upon to meet the costs of studying in Australia will be genuinely available to them during their stay in Australia. This means that a case officer may ask for additional proof about where the funds come from and how they are held.
For more information please follow this link:
http://www.immi.gov.au/students/whats_new.htm
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
ACT – updated list comes into force on 1 November
An updated ACT (Canberra sponsorship) list will become effective 01 November 2009.
The following occupations for skill sponsorship will have closed as of 1 November:
4112 Structural Steel and Welding
3997 Library Technician
3213 Financial Investment Adviser
2543 Occupation and Environmental Health
2422 Teacher – VET
2222 Technical sales representative
Click ACT_SDL_QUOTA_November_2009 to view the 1 November list.
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