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.

Jobs and Migration Australia Open Day

Jobs in Australia – This Open Day is designed for all ages from 18+. Australia is undergoing a number of changes across the board. If you are seeking to make Australia home, or even just wanting to explore Australia for a year to ‘try before you buy’ then this evening is for you!

Our Australian Registered Migration Agent, Hannibal Khoury, has recently returned from Australia with a number of jobs on offer. He will be speaking on the day about the current trends in Australia, what is takes to get a visa, and the work/life opportunites that are available for Brits 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.

Date:    Thursday, 24th August 2017

Venue:  Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London W44JN

Time:   5.30pm – 7.00 pm

Cost:   FREE

Open Day Registration

Can’t make it? We will be offering individual one-to-one consultations until the end of August for FREE! (usually £150 +VAT).  Please contact us with your details to book an individual consultation.

Contact Us

Australian Partner Visas are about to change

Australian Partner Visas are about to change

There is about to be a major change to the way partner visas are processed splitting the process into 2 distinct and separate parts. Prior to these changes an application consisted of a sponsorship application by the Australian half of the relationship together with a visa application by the other partner and dependants. These processes from the 1st of July will now be considered separately on their own individual merits.

From this date, the Australian sponsor of the Partner visas will be required to apply for, and be approved as a sponsor before the visa application is lodged. If for any reason the sponsorship is not approved (the sponsor for example, is found to not be of good character) then the visa application cannot be made. There is no indication yet as to what fees will be charged or the exact requirements that sponsor and applicant will have to meet, though they will in all probability have at least to meet the current standard. Whether additional criteria will be set for sponsor or applicant is not yet known. The other unknown at present is how long it is going to take to complete this new process.

There will also be obligations on the sponsor to notify of any changes in circumstances and failure to do this will most likely result in penalties.

Australian Partner Visa – Character Requirement

​Everyone who wants to enter or stay in Australia must satisfy the character requirement as set out in Section 501 of the Migration Act 1958 (the Act). This includes all non-citizens, sponsors of visa applicants and non-migrating family members seeking to enter or stay in Australia.

Irrespective of which visa you apply for, you must advise the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) if you have any criminal convictions inside or outside of Australia, and you may be asked to provide police certificates as part of your assessment against the character test. Since 18 November 2016, sponsors of these visa applications will now need to:

  • provide Australian (AFP) and/or foreign police checks when requested
  • consent to us disclosing their convictions for relevant offences to the visa applicant(s).

Furthermore, when applying for a Partner visa, if you do not inform the DIBP of your criminal history, your visa application may be refused. A refusal can occur via Public Interest Criterion (PIC) 4020. PIC 4020 enables refusal of a visa if an applicant provides a bogus document or information that is false or misleading in relation to their application, or if the Minister is not satisfied of an applicant’s identity.

Given the new arrangements there is a very real risk that additional delays will be introduced when the system is changed leading to an increase in the time it will take to apply for and complete the partner visa process.

It is noteworthy to mention that the 1st July is the start of the new Financial Year in Australia and traditionally when changes to pricing and visa requirements are made. There is every indication this year that there will be significant changes to a number of visa programs including 457 employment visas and the Skilled Migration program.

Traditionally, at this time fees are increased in line with inflation but there have been a number of notable years where fees for some visas have risen substantially above this figure. Again traditionally the new fees and regulations are often published for the first time on the 1st July on the Department’s website.

Thames Migration suggest that if you are considering applying for an Australian Partner visa (Subclass 309/100) or (Subclass 300) or (Subclass 801/820) and you are eligible now, it would be wise to apply sooner rather than later, before 1 July 2017.

Contact Hannibal Khoury, our Australian Registered Migration Agent who specialises in Australian Partner visas from the United Kingdom to Australia.

Thames Migration is the leading Australian visa agency in London, United Kingdom offering all Australian visa and immigration services.

Jobs and Migration Australia Open Day, 20th April

Jobs in Australia – This Open Day is designed for all ages from 18+. Australia is undergoing a number of changes across the board. If you are seeking to make Australia home, or even just wanting to explore Australia for a year to ‘try before you buy’ then this seminar is for you!

Our Australian Registered Migration Agent, Hannibal Khoury, has recently returned from Australia with a number of jobs on offer. He will be speaking on the day about the current trends in Australia, what is takes to get a visa, and the work/life opportunites that are available for Brits 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.

Date:    Thursday, 20th April 2017

Venue:  Chiswick Town Hall, Heathfield Terrace, London W44JN

Time:   5.30pm – 7.30 pm

Cost:   FREE

Open Day Registration

Can’t make it? We will be offering individual one-to-one consultations until the end of May for FREE! (usually £150 +VAT).  Please contact us with your details to book an individual consultation.

Contact Us

Australia visa application processing times 2017

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has announced a new update to the visa processing times for all visa applications. The new schedule of processing times – “Global visa and citizenship processing times”, will be updated monthly and do not include:

·         visa subclasses closed to new entrants

·         visa subclasses capped and queued

The new visa schedule does not differentiate applications from low-risk or high-risk countries, but instead publishes two different processing times for 75% and 90% of ongoing applications. Here are some of the current processing times listed:

Visa type Description 75% of applications processed in 90% of applications processed in
457 Temporary Work (Skilled) 86 days 6 months
186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) 9 months 11 months
186 Employer Nomination Scheme (Transition Pathway) 8 months 9 months
187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Direct Entry Pathway) 11 months 12 months
187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Transition Pathway) 8 months 9 months
189 Skilled – Independent 4 months 6 months
190 Skilled – Nominated 4 months 7 months
489 Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (Skilled Regional – GSM) 5 months 6 months
489 Skilled – Regional (Provisional) (State/Territory Nominated visa classes – GSM) 5 months 7 months
887 Skilled – Regional 7 months 10 months
300 Prospective Marriage 12 months 17 months
309 Partner (Provisional) 11 months 15 months
100 Partner 15 months 23 months
801 Partner 16 months 20 months
820 Partner 18 months 20 months
802 Child 7 months 8 months
101 Child 9 months 15 months
143 Contributory Parent (Migrant) 32 months 33 months
173 Contributory Parent (Temporary) 32 months 32 months
188 Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (Business Innovation) 16 months 18 months
892 State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner 15 months 17 months
600 Visitor (Sponsored Family) 41 days 58 days

Source: DIBP

Australian citizenship application processing times

Last updated: 14 March 2017

Australian Citizenship application type 75% of applications processed in 90% of applications processed in
Conferral (lodgement to ceremony*) 10 months 12 months
Descent (lodgement to decision) 63 days 4 months
Evidence (lodgement to decision) 5 days 12 days

 

You can view the schedule of visa processing times here, or visit the individual visa pages to view the current processing times (example below).

DIBP 457 processing times

Source:

https://www.border.gov.au/about/access-accountability/service-standards/global-visa-citizenship-processing-times

This information is accurate on 17 March 2017

 

For more specific information regarding applications submitted by Thames Migration, please contact us directly on 02089960120 in the United Kingdom or on 0412525232 in Australia.