Subclass 457 English Requirements Changed

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), as from today, 14th April 2009, has amended their requirements for all applicants for the Class “UC”, subclass “457″ Business (Long Stay) 4 year Temporary visa, wishing to apply for an occupation which is in the ASCO 4000′s to 7000′s, as well as Chef (ASCO 3322-11) and Head Chef (3322-01).

They must obtain an average band score of 5 in the IELTS test unless they are exempt.

Please note, that a minimum score of 5 in each of the 4 categories or Reading, Writing, Oral (Speaking) and Aural (Listening) is not required, just an overall IELTS score of 5 is all that is required.

DIAC have also requested that applicants should understand the following:-

“Note that if the nominated occupation requires the applicant to hold a licence, registration or membership that is mandatory for the performance of the activity nominated, and if that licence, registration or membership requires an IELTS score of more than 5 (average), it is a time of decision criterion that the applicant must have that IELTS score.”.

Migration Program-cuts to GSM processing

Minister Evans has today announced cuts to the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program by 14 per cent “to protect local jobs while ensuring employers can access skilled professionals in industries still experiencing skills shortages”.

The changes are a 14 per cent cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program intake [from 133 500 to 115 000], and changes to the Critical Skills List (CSL).
The Minister’s announcement said that occupations removed from the Critical Skills List include Bricklayers, Carpenters, Plumbers, Welders, and Metal Fitters, and that the list will now comprise mainly health and medical, engineering and IT professions.

The changes to this new CSL are that all trades occupations (ASCO Group 4) have been removed except:

• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Avionics
• Aircraft Maintenance Engineer – Mechanical
• Electronic Equipment Trades
• Gasfitter
• Wall and Floor Tiler

The Minister has stated that “The Critical Skills List will remain under constant review and the Government will remove occupations from the list if demand for those skills can be satisfied by local labour.”

We can therefore expect the Critical Skills List to be under continual review and changes can be expected at any time, depending on current economic circumstances.

Processing implications:

As of now, only General Skilled Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new Critical Skills List will be processed. There will be no visa grants to other applicants until further notice, which is not likely to be before 1 July 2009, and may be much longer.

Please note: The fact that DIAC is now only processing General Skills Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new Critical Skills List does not mean that other GSM applications cannot be lodged. This is simply a method of prioritising the processing so that the Government can better address the current skills shortages in the current economic climate. GSM applications which are not on the processing priority list can still be lodged.

GSM applications which are not on the priority processing lists may have a very long wait, not only because of the processing priority lists, but also because of the 14 per cent cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program intake from 133 500 to 115 000, and also because of imminent staff cuts across the Commonwealth Public Service, including DIAC. The length of the wait for non-priority applications is something that no-one, including DIAC, can estimate with any accuracy. I am sure this is not what you will want to hear, but it is the truth of the matter.

Australian Visa – MODL Revised

There was a report produced in the Melbourne Newspaper – “The Age”. This is a well read, well respected newspaper, produced in Melbourne, Victoria mainly for the local market, but sometimes articles written in The Age can have an effect Australia wide.

This is part of the article, written on 11th December, 2008.

There has been no confirmation/denial from within the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, nor from Senator Evans, who is the Minister for this Department.

However, it is expected that there will be a review of the Skilled Occupations List (Form 1121i), which in turn may lead to a review of those occupations listed on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL), thus, the suggestion by the author, that these two occupations may be targeted.

Hairdressing cut may leave colleges stranded

* Sushi Das
* December 11, 2008

HAIRDRESSING and cookery are expected to be removed from the list of occupational skills in short supply in Australia — a move that would affect migration rules and have widespread ramifications for the international education industry.

Thousands of international students who complete courses in hairdressing and cookery can gain extra migration points towards applications for permanent residency because the two trades are currently included on the Migration Occupations in Demand List.

It is widely acknowledged in the international education industry that hairdressing and cookery are popular courses among international students because the extra migration points allow a “fast track” to permanent residency in Australia.

But the impact on training colleges nationwide is expected to be far-reaching, with possible job losses and business failures.

The removal of cookery and hairdressing could result in a significant drop in students seeking to enrol in such courses, leaving TAFE and private training colleges struggling to fill classes.

886 Skilled Sponsored visa

“886” Skilled Sponsored – 5 year Permanent Visa

If you are a student who has graduated from at least a 2 year registered course, in Australia, in the last 6 months prior to applying for a visa, which is closely related to the chosen occupation, or you hold a “476” (Skilled – Recognised Graduate) visa or a “485” (Skilled Graduate) visa, or completed the apprenticeship for which a “471” Trade Skills Training visa was granted, and the apprenticeship is closely related to the applicant’s nominated skilled occupation, you could apply for the “886” Skilled Sponsored visa.

The applicant’s nominated skill must be in the Major Group IV in the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO), and has Vocational English, or the applicant has Competent English, and the applicant has applied for Australian Federal Police and Medical checks.

The applicant must have the qualifying score or 100 points (currently), and been nominated by a State or Territory Government Agency, or has been sponsored by a close family relative who is an Australian Citizen, a, Australian Permanent Resident or a New Zealand Eligible Citizen who is usually resident in Australia and the applicant’s chosen skill must be assessed by the correct assessing authority.

Currently, Western Australia is having unprecedented applications for this and other skilled visas.

On the 1st December 2008, Western Australia are changing the requirements for the “886 visa.

· The sponsorship offered by the Western Australian Government will be valid for 3 months from the date   of issue, and

· The applicant must make the application in person at the State Migration Centre in Perth, Western Australia

In Western Australia, if the application is not made in person, the application will not be approved. Priority will be given to applicants who have:-

· Relevant work experience in their field of study

· A job offer, or

· Have completed their studies in Western Australia.

If you have a qualification and relevant work experience, you may choose to apply for a Skilled Visa in Western Australia.

Even though Emigrate Australia is based in Queensland, we have a reputation for Efficient, Swift, Professional Service, and our ability to obtain visas for our clients from anywhere in Australia or overseas. Try us, you will not be sorry.

FAQ – eVisitor visa

WHAT IS “eVisitor”?

As from 27th October 2008, citizens who hold passport from EU and other countries who are eligible to apply for the Electronic Travel Authority are entitled to apply for the eVisitor visa authority. This authority allows these citizens to travel to Australia for Tourism or Business purposes for up to 12 months, staying for up to 3 months at a time. This visa or authority, can only be applied for online and from off-shore (outside Australia). The countries are:- Andorra; Austria; Belgium; Bulgaria; Cyprus; Czeck Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Romania; San Marino; Slovakia; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom and the Vatican City (Holy See).

The category of United Kingdom passports excludes British National (Overseas), British Dependent Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected Person and British Subject passport holders.

HOW MUCH?

The Visa Application Charge (VAC) or authority charge is FREE.

ARE THERE ANY CONDITIONS?

Yes. You must be in good health, including being free from TB (Tuberculosis). You must not have any criminal convictions. You must not work as a Tourist. Those on Business visa/authority have limited activities permitted. Further conditions may be explained when the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) email the grant notice. Business eVisitor applicants must apply for the Business eVisitor visa/authority. The activities which a Business application may be sort would include, but would not be limited to:- Exploring existing/future business opportunities; Attending a Conference or Meeting relevant to the applicant’s business or occupation; Undertake training activities which will be relevant to the applicant’s business or occupation – this would not normally include work replacement.

HOW DO I APPLY?

All eVisitor visa/authority must be done online www.immi.gov.au and you must provide an email address as all correspondence will be conducted electronically. A seperate application must be done for each applicant travelling, even those under 18 years of age, including accompanied children and infants.

WHEN SHOULD I APPLY?

It is recommended that an application should be made at least 2 weeks prior to intended travel. This application must be completed in English. In most cases the application will be approved within minutes. Status of the application can be checked by visiting http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/check-progress.htm and approval can be downloaded from this site. A Password will be required when an application is either saved part way through or upon completion. This must be used to check status.

CAN I APPLY FOR AN eVisitor WHILE HOLDING ANOTHER VALID VISA?

Should an application be lodged for an eVisitor visa/authority while holding a valid visa for Australia, there will be a warning given as part of the online process. This will advise that your current valid visa will be overridden by the eVisitor application, should it be granted. If an ETA visa is currently held, this will still be valid for travel up until the advised expiry date. From 27th October 2008, ETA visas will no longer be available via the internet, but they will still be available through Travel Agents and Airlines, when purchasing the ticket to travel.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT MORE ABOUT eVisitor?

Visit www.immi.gov.au