NEWS & FAQs

After 17 days Australia finally has a Government – Election Result

admin — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 16:14:23 +0000

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

admin — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 15:28:48 +0000

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):

The ISSL identifies those occupations that have an immediate shortage of skilled workers in New Zealand. It is designed to facilitate the approval of temporary work visa and permit applications. If an applicant produces an offer of employment in an occupation that is included on the current ISSL, visa and immigration officers accept that no suitably qualified New Zealand citizens or residents are available.

• Automotive Technician (Motor Mechanic)

• Scaffolder (Advanced)

•

• 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*

• Systems Analyst*

• Software Engineer*

• ICT Support and Test Engineer*

he LTSSL identifies those occupations where there is an absolute (sustained and ongoing) shortage of skilled workers both globally and throughout New Zealand. Migrants, who gain employment in one of the occupations identified, may be granted a work permit under the LTSSL Work to Residence Policy. Skilled migrants who have an offer of employment, work experience or qualifications identified on the LTSSL will gain bonus points towards their application for residence.

The following occupations will be added 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*

The occupation being removed from the LTSSL with effect from Wednesday, 8 September 2010 is:

• Architect

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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Priority Processing for Australian Skilled Visas

admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 15:27:37 +0000

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)

New SOL – FAQs

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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

admin — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:09:26 +0000

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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Australian Government Approves Paid Parental Leave

admin — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 11:10:57 +0000

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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Australian Visa Fees – Increase

admin — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:43:43 +0000

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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New Australian Skilled Occupations List – SOL – is Released

admin — Mon, 17 May 2010 13:11:22 +0000

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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NZ Visa Application Fees – Update

admin — Fri, 14 May 2010 16:18:54 +0000

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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The Australian Budget and its Impact on Migration

admin — Thu, 13 May 2010 11:28:39 +0000

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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Australian Skilled Visas – Temporary Suspension of Some Skilled Visas Lodgments

admin — Tue, 11 May 2010 12:11:24 +0000

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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