New Western Australian graduate stream for State nomination now available

A new graduate stream is now available for Western Australian State nomination.
The new stream is available to eligible university graduates who have studied for at least two years in Western Australia at a Western Australian university, and have an available occupation on the new Graduate occupation list for the intended visa subclass.
Visit the State nomination requirements page for more information and the full list of requirements you must meet in order to be eligible for this stream.
To learn more, please contact one of our offices in both Australia or the UK via info@thamesmigration.com

Skilling Australia Fund (SAF) levy to commence 12th August 2018

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has confirmed the skilling levy fund will commence on 12 August 2018.

All Subclass 407, 482, 186 and 187 applications lodged after this date will be subject to the ‘training contribution charge’.

The amounts are:

Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage and Subclass 407 Training visas

Visa period < $10 million turnover > $10 million turnover
One year $1200 $1800
Two years $2400 $3600
Three years $3600 $5400
Four years $4800 $7200

Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsorship Migration Scheme

  • $3,000 for business with a turnover of < $10 million
  • $5,000 for business with a turnover of > $10 million.

With the introduction of the skilling levy fund, existing 457 and 407 sponsors are no longer required to keep a record of satisfying the previous training requirement or obliged to provide training to Australian employees from 12 August 2018 onwards.

As always, we will have further updates for you as they appear.

Global Talent Visa Pilot 1 July 2018

Global Talent Scheme
From 1 July 2018 all businesses will be able to sponsor highly skilled and specialised workers who will help to grow their businesses and create more jobs.
The scheme includes two streams – one for established businesses and one for start-ups.The pilot will run for 12 months and provide businesses with a streamlined process to sponsor overseas workers with cutting edge skills, where there are no suitable Australians available to fill the vacancies.
All businesses sponsoring workers to Australia under the scheme will need to demonstrate that they have been unable to source suitable individuals in the Australian labour market.
Workers sponsored under the scheme will have access to a Temporary Skills Shortage visa and permanent residence after three years.
You can find more information on the following links:

London Migration Consultations

Our Australian Registered Migration Agent, Hannibal Khoury, will be in London, UK. He will be covering the current trends in Australia, what is takes to get a visa, and the work/life opportunities that are available for all seeking a stable and positive labour market. This is a great opportunity to learn what the process entails whilst gaining an insight on the lifestyle, jobs and opportunities in Australia. Don’t miss out on the chance to speak about your aspirations to live in Australia. Hannibal has been a registered migration agent for over 15 years. He is able to can offer you an insight on your migration options, pathways and how you can position your application to obtain a favourable outcome.

The 1 hour consultation will enable you to ask all the hard immigration questions, discuss the process, as it applies to you, in depth.

Date:    Thursday, 31st May 2018 and Friday, 1st June 2018

Venue: 336-337 The Strand Londres WC2R 1HA, London

Time:   9.00am – 4 pm (by appointment only)

Cost:   FREE

We will be offering individual one-to-one consultations in London for would be migrants.  Please contact us with your details to book an individual consultation.

Contact Us

Skilled Visa E-news March 2018 edition

Skilled Visas E-news focuses on the changes to the skilled visa programs which came into effect on 18 March 2018. This includes the implementation of:

These changes are consistent with the Australian Government’s announcement of 18 April 2017 and were publically announced yesterday by the Minister of Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, see Government delivers next wave of reform on 457 visas.

For more information contact us.

Hobart Migration Consultations

Our Australian Registered Migration Agent, Hannibal Khoury, will be in Hobart, Tasmania. He will be covering the current trends in Australia, what is takes to get a visa, and the work/life opportunites that are available for all seeking a stable and positive labour market. This is a great opportunity to learn what the process entails whilst gaining an insight on the lifestyle, jobs and opportunities in Australia. Don’t miss out on the chance to speak about your aspirations to live in Australia. Hannibal has been a registered migration agent for over 15 years. He is able to can offer you an insight on your migration options, pathways and how you can position your application to obtain a favourable outcome.

The 1 hour consultation will enable you to ask all the hard immigration questions, discuss the process, as it applies to you, in depth.

Date:    Monday, 29th January 2018

Venue:  Salamanca Terraces,Cnr Runnymede St & Salamanca Place, Battery Point, Hobart, Tasmania 7000

Time:   9.00am – 3.30 pm (by appointment only)

Cost:   FREE

We will be offering individual one-to-one consultations in Tasmania for would be migrants.  Please contact us with your details to book an individual consultation.

Changes to the lists of eligible skilled occupations

This page summarises changes to the lists of eligible skilled occupations for Australia’s skilled visa programs came in effect on 17 January 2018. This includes occupations that will be:

  • added to the lists of eligible skilled occupations;
  • moved between the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL) for particular visa programs; or
  • removed from the lists of eligible skilled occupations.

The Lists of eligible skilled occupations will be updated on 17 January 2018 to reflect these changes.

There are changes (including additions) to certain occupational caveats (indicated via ‘*** asterisks’) which exclude the use of the occupation in certain circumstances.  A summary of Caveats on occupations is available.

These changes will only impact applications lodged on or after 17 January 2018. Applications lodged before this date will not be impacted.

Occupations added to the lists

The three occupations below, which were previously unavailable on either list, will be added to the STSOL. Details of any caveats applicable to these three occupations are also provided below.

Note: To align the Training (subclass 407) visa with other visa programs, a number of occupations which were previously not eligible for this visa will be available when the instrument comes into effect.

Occupation ANZSCO code Caveat from 17/1/2018
Property Manager*** 612112 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • that have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$65,000
  • with businesses that have fewer than five employees
  • with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • which are not located in regional Australia – see Eligible Postcodes in Regional Australia.
Psychotherapist 272314 Nil
Real Estate Representative*** 612115 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • that have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$65,000
  • with businesses that have fewer than five employees
  • with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • which are not located in regional Australia – see Eligible Postcodes in Regional Australia.

Occupations moved between the lists

The two occupations below will be moved from the STSOL to the MTLSSL. Details of any caveats applicable to these occupations are also provided below.

Occupation ANZSCO code Caveat from 17/1/2018
Horse Breeder*** 121316 Excludes positions that:

Note: this caveat has not changed.
Management Consultant*** 224711 Excludes positions in businesses that:

  • have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • in businesses that have fewer than five employees; or
  • have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$90,000.

Note: Amended caveat – base salary requirement raised to $90,000.

No occupations will be moved from the MLTSSL to the STSOL.

Occupations removed from the lists

The two occupations listed below will be completely removed from the lists of eligible skilled occupations for all skilled visa programs on 17 January 2018.

Occupation ANZSCO code
Building Associate 312112
Hair or Beauty Salon Manager 142114

Occupations with caveat-only changes

The six occupations listed below will remain on their existing lists. A new and/or amended caveat will, however, be in effect as of 17 January 2018 as outlined below.

Occupation ANZSCO code Caveat from 17/1/2018 Explanation of change
Accommodation and Hospitality Managers nec*** 141999 Excludes positions that are not located in regional Australia – see Eligible Postcodes in Regional Australia. New caveat
Management Accountant*** 221112 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • clerical, book keeper and accounting clerk positions
  • positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees.
 New caveat
Massage Therapist*** 411611 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • are non full-time
  • are not based in a therapeutic setting
  • involve the provision of  non-medical relaxation massage; or
  • are in a retail setting.
 Caveat amended – clarification of wording only
Recruitment Consultant*** 223112 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • that have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$90,000
  • with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • with businesses that have fewer than five employees.
 Amended caveat – base salary requirement raised to $90,000
​Supply and Distribution Manager*** ​133611 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • based in a front-line retail setting;
  • that predominately involve direct client transactional interaction on a regular basis;
  • with businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M unless they involve an intra-corporate transfer to which an international trade obligation applies;
  • that have a nominated base salary of less than AUD$65,000 unless they involve an intra-corporate transfer to which an international trade obligation applies.
 ​Amended caveat – annual turn over requirement does not apply where international trade obligations apply
Taxation Accountant*** 221113 Excludes any of the following positions:

  • clerical, book keeper and accounting clerk positions
  • positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
  • positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees.
 Amended caveat – size of business requirements added

 

Feastive Season Office Closure

During the festive season, Thames Migration offices in both Australia and the United Kingdom will close from Friday 22 December 2017 and reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

From the entire Thames Migration team, we wish you all a merry feastive season and a Happy New Year!

A Fresh Start with Thames Migration

Naji and Erica Rizk

Naji and Erica Rizk

Originally from Lebanon, Erica and Naji Rizk of The Rustic Fig Cafe say Adelaide’s secret charm and idyllic lifestyle won them over.

After deciding to make the big move to Australia from the bustling lifestyle of Lebanon, Erica, Naji and their two teenage children had only the city to decide on. While considering Hobart, Brisbane and Perth initially, they say they were drawn to Adelaide’s appealing lifestyle – an unexpected but welcome surprise.

“We didn’t want the hustle, bustle and drama of Lebanon and were looking to relocate,” says Naji. “We knew we wanted to come to Australia but were not sure where exactly.”

He and Erica say it was a suggestion from a migration agent (namely, Hannibal Khoury – Thames Migration) that led them to Adelaide.

“We could see it would provide the lifestyle change we were wanting for us and our children,” Erica says.

While many of their friends had already settled in Brisbane and Perth, the family made the bold move to call Adelaide home – a surprise to many of their family and friends. But the move has paid off for the family, settling into their new life happily, and with some exciting changes too.

“While we don’t have any family here in Adelaide, we are happy with the lifestyle the city has offered us,” Erica says. “Our kids are now in year 10 and 12 in high school and have really settled in. We are involved in our local church and have had so much support from everyone we have crossed paths with. The community is very welcoming.”

Not only has school proved a seamless transition for the kids, but so too have extra-curricular activities. Their son has joined a local soccer club while their daughter has immersed herself in charity work as an ambassador with the Australian Refugee Association.

But it’s not just the kids’ lives that have been through a transition. The Rizks have also embarked on another enormous journey with their move – starting their very own business.

Now the proud owners of Erindale cafe The Rustic Fig Cafe, Erica and Naji say that the assistance provided by Immigration SA really helped to facilitate their dream. After attending an information session run by Immigration SA, the pair were inspired by guest speakers to embark on their own business journey. Business advisors from the Business Enterprise team at Adelaide City Council further encouraged the couple, offering advice and support in beginning their new cafe.

Now employing two further staff, the bustling cafe provides the ultimate career and lifestyle change for the Rizks, and they’ve never looked back. With a focus on Lebanese street food, utilising local Adelaide Central Market ingredients, the business has also been a way for the family to maintain and share their culture in their new Adelaide home.

“It is very easy for any nationality to retain their identity here in Adelaide,” says Erica. “If you are looking to migrate to another country you need to have an adventurous spirit, but coming to Adelaide has just been wonderful. There is always someone wanting to help you. People are very generous and want to help you succeed, and they are not out to get you. The experience for us was so easy.”

While they would recommend the move, they say they don’t want too many people to know about their new hidden gem of a home.

“We feel that Adelaide chose us!” Erica laughs. “We love that nobody knows about how wonderful it is yet. We want to keep it a secret!”

Who: Erica and Naji Rizk
Visa Category: General Skilled Migration
What do you love about Adelaide? “We are living in the eastern suburbs of Adelaide and love it. It is so safe, clean and relaxed. We don’t have to worry about the safety of the children. The produce available at Adelaide Central market is fantastic. Naji likes to go there early in the mornings a couple of times a week and pick supplies for the café.”

Find out more about skilled visa options

The story originally featured http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/resources/celebrating-20-years

Changes to Australia’s Skilled Migration programme – 1st July 2017

Eligible skilled occupation lists
*36 occupations added to the lists
*12 occupations removed from the lists
*9 of the removed occupations were eligible for sc457 and sc186 visas
* Movement between STSOL and MLTSOL

 

Inapplicability conditions

  • Conditions now apply to 67 occupations
  • Impact sc457 and sc186 direct entry applications only
  • sc186DE applications lodged on or after 1 July
  • sc457 applications lodged on or after 1 July, or lodged and not yet decided as at 1 July

 

Three main groups:

*Group A: work experience onl

*Group B: regional location only

*Group C: occupation specific caveats

 

 English language – Subclass 457

Exemption from English language test on the basis of salary removed.
English language test results must be provided unless the visa applicant has:
*A valid passport issued by either the UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland; OR
*Employment with an overseas business who is coming to Australia to work for that company or their associated entity and they have a nominated base rate of pay of at least AUD$96,400; OR
*Completed a minimum of five years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English.

Character

*Police clearance certificates are mandatory
*Military record or discharge certificates are required, plus police certificates from the countries of service

Visa validity

* Maximum visa validity for occupations on the STSOL is 2 years, unless a longer period is required to meet international trade obligations

* Maximum visa validity for occupations on the MLTSSL is 4 years

 

Training benchmarks

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) comes into effect from 1 March 2018. Sponsorship and 186 nomination applications lodged from 1 July, must satisfy a new training instrument which:

Business with a turnover of less than AUD $10 million per year will pay:

* $1,200 per TSS visa per year

* $3,000 for each ENS or RSMS application

 

Business with a turnover of more than AUD$10 million per year will pay:

* $1,800 per TSS visa per year

*  $5,000 for each ENS or RSMS application

Furthermore, Sponsorship and 186 nomination applications lodged from 1 July, must satisfy a new training instrument which:

  • Defines payroll
  • Clarifies acceptable and non-acceptable training expenditure
  • Outlines the training expenditure period

 

Sponsorship Accreditation

Expanded to accommodate certain low risk sponsors

  • Further reduce 457 processing times
  • Benefits of accreditation are:

* sponsorship validity of six years

* priority allocation of all nomination and visa applications

*additional streamlined processing of certain low risk nominations

The new accreditation characteristics are divided into four categories:

Category 1- Australian government agencies
Category 2 – Approved Australian trusted traders
Category 3 – “low risk” with low volume usage of the 457 programme and at least 90% Australian

Category 4 – “low risk” with high volume usage of the 457 programme and at least 75% Australian workers
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
English language requirements

 

Exemption from providing an English language test for applicants whose salary is in the top tax bracket removed.

Acceptable means of demonstrating English:

*A valid passport issued by either the UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Ireland; OR
*Employment with an overseas business who is coming to Australia to work for that company or their associated entity and they have a nominated base rate
of pay of at least AUD$96,400; OR
*Completed a minimum of five years of full-time study in a secondary and/or higher education institution where the instruction was delivered in English.
ENS and RSMS Skill exemption

  • Exemption from a skills assessment for nominated earnings at least equivalent to the current ATO top individual income tax rate removed

Age

  • Direct entry applicants must be below the age of 45 at time of application
  • Current age exemptions will still be available
  • TRT stream applicants must be below the age of 50 at time of application (valid until March 2018)

Genuine need

  • Nomination must identify a ‘genuine need’ for the nominee to be employed in the nominated position
  • Nominee must work under the direct control of the nominator as a paid employee
  • Details of the nominee must be included in the nomination

 

Other immigration changes
New Zealand Pathway

  • NZ citizens usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016
  • resided in Australia for at least 5 years
  • minimum taxable income requirements
  • mandatory health, character and security checks
  • pathway to citizenship after a period of 12 months

 

Visitor visa application

Indian passport holders can now lodged Visitor (Subclass 600) visa applications online
Visitor visa priority consideration

Certain passport holders will be able to apply for online priority consideration service for visitor visa applications. Eligible countries are – China, India and UAE
APEC Business Travel Card

Australian citizens can apply online for an APEC Business Travel Card from 1 July
Working holiday and work and holiday visas

Age limit increased to 35 or under, for certain passport holders

 

For further information or any questions, please contact our staff in Australia or the United Kingdom to learn more.