Month: January 2024

pacific-engagement-visa

Australian Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa Announced

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Federal Government has announced that a ‘Pacific Engagement’ visa will be introduced to provide permanent migration to residents of selected Pacific Island countries interested in resettling in Australia.

The exact details of the Pacific Engagement visas are still being negotiated, but it seems that up to 3,000 permanent Australian visas will be granted to citizens of participating countries each year via a ballot selection process.

Applications for the ballot will be able to be submitted through the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) online lodgement portal.

When will the Pacific Engagement Visa come into effect?

It is expected that the ballot to apply for a Pacific Engagement visa for eligible candidates will open at a date in 2024, to be specified by the Australian Government later in the year.

What is the Pacific Engagement (Subclass 192) Visa

The new Pacific Engagement visa will grant Australian permanent residency to participants across the Pacific and Timor-Leste who successfully win the ballot and meet the eligibility criteria for this visa.

The exact participating countries has not been determined, however the Australian Government has stated that eligible countries may include the Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

The Australian Government has stated that it continues to consult with Pacific countries and Timor-Leste on their interest in participating in the program.

What are the Pacific Engagement Visa Requirements

The exact eligibility requirements for the Pacific Engagement visa have not yet been decided, however it has been proposed that primary applicants may need to meet the following criteria:

  • Be aged between 18 to 45 to enter the ballot;
  • Be selected through the ballot process;
  • Secure a formal ongoing job offer in Australia (or their partner/spouse must have a job offer);
  • Meet English language, character and health checks;
  • Hold a passport for a participating country; and
  • Have been born in or have a parent who was born in an eligible country.

Primary visa applicants will most likely be able to include a spouse or de facto partner and legally dependent children in their application.

For advice regarding Australian visas, please do not hesitate to contact us at  info@hartmanimmigration.com.au for Australian immigration assistance.

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.

skills-in-demand-visa

Australian Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (Subclass 482) Visa Set to be Replaced by the ‘Skills in Demand’ Visa

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

As we welcome in the new year, it is expected that further Australian visa changes will be introduced by the Federal Government in 2024 in the wake of the December 2023 Migration Review. A major change proposed by the Australian Government is to replace the current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) work visa with the ‘Skills in Demand’ visa.

Summary of the Skills in Demand Visa

The Skills in Demand visa is a proposed four-year temporary Australian work visa with three different visa streams targeting various skill levels and industries. The new visa is intended to offer pathways for all visa holders to apply for Australian permanent residency.

The Minister for Immigration, Clare O’Neil, stated in the Migration Review that the Skills in Demand visa is intended to include the following three visa streams:

  1. Specialist Skills Pathway: This is for highly skilled workers with a $135,000 minimum salary.
  2. Core Skills Pathway: This will have an updated occupation list and a $70,000 minimum salary threshold.
  3. Essential Skills Pathway: This steam will target lower-paid workers.

Intended Increased Worker Mobility

As part of the Australian Government’s plan for increased overseas worker mobility and ability to change employers, the new provisions are set to include recognition of time spent with approved employers towards permanent residency as opposed to restarting the clock for Temporary Residence Transition when temporary visa holders change employers.

The Government has also announced that Skills in Demand visa holders will be entitled to a 180-day period to find a new employer whilst retaining the ability to work.

We will keep you updated with new developments regarding the introduction of the Skills in Demand visa and will advise if and when it replaces the TSS subclass 482 visa program.

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.