Month: December 2010

Changes to Work and Holiday Visa – Subclass 462

Notably, as of 31 December 2010, amendments to the Work and Holiday visa will be introduced, enabling nationals of Bangladesh to apply for this visa.

Applicants for a working holiday visa must hold passports from specific countries and hold the educational qualifications outlined in the table below.

Country Educational Qualification
Islamic Republic of Iran Diploma or Degree
Kingdom of Thailand Diploma or Degree
Chile Tertiary qualification or have satisfactorily completed or have been approved to undertake a third year of undergraduate university study
The Republic of Turkey Hold tertiary qualifications, or have satisfactorily completed at least two years of undergraduate university study
United States of America Hold secondary school qualifications
Malaysia Hold tertiary qualifications, or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university study
Indonesia Hold tertiary qualifications, or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university study
Bangladesh Hold tertiary qualifications, or have successfully completed at least two years of undergraduate university study

 

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Tasmanian State Migration Plan

The Tasmanian State Migration Plan has now been introduced and requires successful applicants to live in Tasmania for a minimum of two years following grant of State sponsorship. The list of eligible occupations for Tasmanian State sponsorship is now available.

Specific eligibility criteria for Tasmanian State sponsorship apply to the relevant visa subclasses including the subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored visa, subclass 475 Skilled- Regional Sponsored visa, subclass 487 Skilled- Regional Sponsored visa and subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored visa.

Subclass 176 Visa

In order to be eligible for a subclass 176 visa it is necessary to meet the following criteria stipulated by the Tasmanian Government:

  1. You must have a positive skills assessment from a designated Australian assessing authority and your occupation should be on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list.
  2. You meet the conditions specified on the State Migration Plan list such as a job offer and/or IELTS score.
  3. Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Educational, commercial and/or personal links to Tasmania
  • Evidence of job search and/or strong interest from a local employer
  • Previous visits to Tasmania
  • Potential ease of resettlement and employment in the state
  • Transferrable assets (i.e. A$20,000 for the primary applicant and A$10,000 for each dependent family member.)

Subclass 475 Visa

Eligibility for a subclass 475 visa requires that you satisfy the following criteria:

1. You must meet one of the below specifications:

  • Your occupation is on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list and you meet the requirements or specialisations required by your occupation (such as the IELTS score) on the list. You also demonstrate good prospects to secure skilled employment on arrival; or
  • Your occupation is not on the Tasmanian State Migration Plan list but you have secured a job offer from your Tasmanian employer; or
  • You recently graduated from a Tasmanian educational institution and returned to your home country but are still eligible for DIAC’s work experience exemption due to the recent two year full-time study. (Any occupation from schedule 4 SOL can be considered). You must explain how you will secure skilled employment in Tasmania.

2. Applicants must also demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:

  • Educational, commercial and/or personal links to Tasmania
  • Evidence of job search and/or strong interest from a local employer
  • Previous visits to Tasmania
  • Potential ease of resettlement and employment in the state
  • Transferrable assets (i.e. A$20,000 for the primary applicant and A$10,000 for each dependent family member.)

Subclass 487 Visa

The Tasmanian Government has published different criteria in terms of eligibility for a subclass 487 visa depending on whether an applicant is a Tasmanian Graduate, Non-Tasmanian Graduate or the holder of a Working Holiday or Occupational Trainee visa.

Tasmanian Graduates must meet the following criteria:

  1. You have studied in Tasmania for two years or longer, and meet DIAC’s ‘two year study requirement’;
  2. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment;
  3. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  4. You must demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia;
  5. If you do not have a skilled job offer, explain how you will secure skilled employment in Tasmania.
  6. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for the sponsorship.

Non-Tasmanian Graduates must meet the following criteria:

  1. You have already relocated to Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time after completing your qualification; (Note: to achieve this you will need to apply for a Skilled Graduate Visa (subclass 485) before applying for the Skilled Sponsored visa)
  2. Your Tasmanian employer is happy with your work performance and the job is on-going;
  3. Applicants must demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia;
  4. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for the sponsorship.

Holders of Working Holiday or Occupational Trainee visas must meet the following criteria:

  1. You hold a valid Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) and have spent at least 6 months on the visa; or
  2. You have lived in Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time, and the job is on-going;
  3. You hold a valid Occupational Trainee visa (sublcass 442) and completed the specified training;
  4. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment;
  5. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  6. You demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia.
  7. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as:
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for sponsorship.

Subclass 886 Visa

Applicants for a subclass 886 visa must satisfy the following specifications published by the Tasmanian Government:

  1. You have studied in Tasmania for two years or longer, and meet DIAC’s ‘two year study requirement’;
  2. You have lived in Tasmania and worked in a skilled job in your nominated occupation for a Tasmanian employer for at least 3 months full time, and the job is on-going. To achieve this, you may need a 485 visa;
  3. You have obtained a skills assessment from a recognised Australian assessing authority for your nominated occupation, or can provide evidence of applying for your skills assessment
  4. You have sufficient English language ability to meet DIAC’s requirements;
  5. You demonstrate a genuine desire to live and work in Tasmania, as opposed to other regions in Australia.
  6. In addition to skills, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts will consider factors such as
  • Personal links to Tasmania
  • Transferable assets

Any occupation from Schedule 4 SOL can be considered. However, you must meet all of the above to apply for sponsorship.

If you are a skilled worker interested in applying for sponsorship by the Tasmanian Government, please contact us for assistance.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Western Australian State Migration Plan

Western Australia has now published its State Migration Plan and is now able to process applications for Western Australian State sponsorship.

The Western Australian skilled occupation list applies to the following visa types:

  • Skilled Sponsored Visa (SSV) – Subclass 176 (Offshore) and
  • 886 (Onshore)
  • Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (SRSV) – Subclass 475 (Offshore) and 487 (Onshore)

Additional requirements apply for specific occupational groups.

1. Criteria for Managers and Professionals:

Visa subclass 176 886 475 487
IELTS* 7 7 7 7
Work experience 7 years 18 months 5 years 3 years

*International English Language Testing System

  • It is necessary for holders of a subclass 417 Working Holiday visa to have been employed in their nominated occupation prior to working in Australia.
  • In applying for a subclass 886 Skilled- Independent (Residence) visa, students will need to hold a subclass 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary visa to be eligible for Western Australian State Sponsorship.
  • Holders of a subclass 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary visa will be require 18 months work experience in their nominated occupation on a full-time continuous basis in Western Australia to be eligible for Western Australian sponsorship.

2. Criteria for Technicians and Trade Workers:

Visa subclass 176 886 475 487
IELTS* 7 7 7 7
Work experience 7 years 18 months 5 years 3 years

*International English Language Testing System

  • It is necessary for holders of a subclass 417 Working Holiday visa to have been employed in their nominated occupation prior to working in Australia.
  • In applying for a subclass 886 Skilled- Independent (Residence) visa, students will need to hold a subclass 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary visa to be eligible for Western Australian State Sponsorship.
  • Holders of a subclass 485 Skilled Graduate Temporary visa will be require 18 months work experience in their nominated occupation on a full-time continuous basis in Western Australia to be eligible for Western Australian sponsorship.

Pilot for Food Trades

According to the Western Australian Department of Training and Workforce Development, there are currently a large number of applications in the food trades in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) processing pipeline. However, these occupations still appear on the Western Australian Skilled Occupation List due to an expected demand in these occupations over the next four years. Western Australia has begun a pilot program using a panel of industry experts to determine the employability of chefs and cooks in assessing their eligibility for state sponsorship.

3. Criteria for Off-list Nominations:

a) For onshore applicants:

CRITERIA FOR
ASSESSMENT OFF-LIST NOMINATION (Onshore)
Visa subclass * 176 475 487
IELTS 7 in each band 7 in each band 7 in each band
Work experience 7 out of the last 10 years 5 out of the last 7 years 3 out of the last 5 years
Employment Contract Working here for 12 months and employment for further 12
months
Working here for 12 months and employment for further 12
months
Working here for 12 months and employment for further 12
months

* Eligible visa holders applying onshore

b) For offshore applicants:

CRITERIA FOR
ASSESSMENT OFF-LIST NOMINATION (Offshore)
Visa subclass 176 475
IELTS 7 7
Work experience 10 years 7 years
Job Offer Yes Yes

Graduate students will not be considered for an off-list.

If you are a skilled worker interested in applying for sponsorship by the Western Australian Government, please contact us for assistance.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Queensland State Migration Plan

Queensland has released its State Migration Plan, which has been published on its website at http://www.workliveplay.qld.gov.au. The Queensland Government has stated that applications for Queensland State Sponsorship are now open.

Eligible skills lists are available for the following visa types:

As well as having an occupation on the eligible skills list, and meeting the requirements for the relevant visa subclass, applicants must also be assessed as likely to provide a clear benefit to the Queensland economy.

The Queensland Government has moreover released processing timeframes information.

If you are a skilled worker interested in applying for sponsorship by the Queensland Government, please contact us for assistance.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.

Northern Territory State Migration Plan

The Northern Territory has released its State Migration Plan, which has been published on its website at www.migration.nt.gov.au. Potential applicants will be required to meet one of the following criteria:

  • To have completed at least two years of study in the Northern Territory.
  • Can demonstrate that they have lived and worked in the Northern Territory in their skilled occupation of a closely related skilled occupation for no less than six months prior to applying for sponsorship.

They are considered for sponsorship for the Skilled Regional Sponsored subclass 487 or 475 visas unless they can demonstrate close ties to the Northern Territory.

The Northern Territory Government has indicated that it will favour Charles Darwin University graduates who have completed at least two years of study in the Northern Territory for State Sponsorship in relation to the subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored (Residence) visa, 176 Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) visa and Skilled Regional Sponsored subclass 487 and 475.

Click here to access the Northern Territory Skilled Occupation List 2010.

Please note that there are a limited number of places available for sponsorship within each occupation group.

If you are a skilled worker interested in applying for sponsorship by the Northern Territory Government, please contact us for assistance.

This is general information only and does not constitute legal advice.

Disclaimer:

The information on this website is intended only to provide a summary and general overview on relevant matters. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor does it constitute legal advice. You are advised to seek legal or other professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content contained in this website.