Author: Rebecca Berkovic

Principal Lawyer Migration Agent Number: 0963431
mates-Australian-visa-program

Introducing the MATES Australian Visa Program for Indian Professionals

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Government announced that in mid-2024 Australia will begin accepting visa applications from Indian graduates and early stage professionals as part of the new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme (MATES). This new visa scheme is aimed at addressing skills shortages in Australia in selected industries through inviting early career Indian professionals to live and work in Australia as holders of this visa.

The MATES visa program forms part of the groundbreaking Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) between India and Australia which was signed by both governments in 2023. The MMPA reflects the deepening bilateral relationship and aim to foster increased economic collaboration and talent exchange between the two countries.

The MATES visa scheme will entitle eligible Indian nationals to a multiple entry Australian work visa for a period of up to two years and there will be no requirement for sponsorship by an Australian employer.

 MATES Visa Requirements

The MATES program will provide opportunities for Indian nationals to live and work in Australia who meet the following criteria:

  • Aged 30 or younger (inclusive) at the time of application
  • Proficient in English
  • Within two years of graduating from an eligible educational institution
  • Qualified in:
    • Renewable energy
    • Mining
    • Engineering
    • ICT
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Financial technology, or
    • Agricultural technology.

Importantly, sponsorship will not be required for visa applicants under the MATES program.

 Available Places

The Australian Government is set to introduce the MATES program in mid-2024 with initially opening 3,000 places to eligible Indian nationals.

This will be part of a pilot program which will be monitored by the Australian Government and if successful, additional places will be provided to eligible applicants.

Addressing the Skills Gap for Australian Employers

The MATES program is intended to enable global mobility for skilled Indian nationals which will be mutually beneficial to the visa holders and to Australian businesses who will benefit from the entrance into the Australian workforce of skilled employees where there are gaps in the labour market, including in the areas of renewable energy, mining, engineering, ICT, artificial intelligence, financial technology and agricultural technology.

The MATES program will facilitate global mobility for skilled Indian nationals and enable Australian employers to access skilled workers in fields where there are labour shortages.

For advice regarding Australian work visas and applying for an Australian visa through the MATES visa scheme, please do not hesitate to contact us at info@hartmanimmigration.com.au.

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.

overseas-company-sponsor

Can an Overseas Company Sponsor Employees to Work in Australia?

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

We have arranged for overseas companies to sponsor employees to work in Australia on numerous occasions through the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa program, even if the company does not yet have operations in Australia.

An overseas company is able to sponsor employees to work in Australia in the following circumstances:

  • Where the employee will establish, or assist in establishing, on the sponsor’s behalf a business operation in Australia with overseas connections; or
  • Where the employee is required to fulfil contractual obligations for the business in Australia.

Enabling global and offshore businesses to sponsor overseas employees has provided clients with a huge benefit in establishing their business in Australia or meeting contractual obligations by sending staff to Australia who are highly skilled and already familiar with the business.

For advice regarding Australian visas and sponsoring skilled overseas workers, 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.

short-term-482-visa

Applying for Australian Permanent Residency from a Short-Term 482 Visa

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Government has introduced significant changes since the Australian Government released its new Migration Strategy on 11 December 2023 as part of its extensive Review of the Migration System. One significant change assisting our clients is that employees who were sponsored on Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visas can now apply for Australian permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa program even if the overseas worker’s occupation appears on the Short-Term Occupation List.

The time of grant for a TSS subclass 482 visa on the Short-Term Occupation List is two years. The Australian Government reduced the amount of time of holding a TSS subclass 482 visa to be eligible to apply for permanent residency via the ENS subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT)stream to two years, down from the previous three years.

This discrepancy has left a challenge to Short-Term 482 visa holders.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) have agreed that on a case by case basis Short-Term 482 visa holders may be able to apply for the ENS subclass 186 visa TRT stream ‘a few days’ prior to meeting the two year requirement.

However, it may be risky to apply for an ENS subclass 186 visa only a few days before the Short-Term 482 visa expires for the following reasons:

  1. The TRT stream requires the applicant to have worked in Australia for two years prior to lodging the ENS subclass 186 visa application. Therefore, this criteria might not be met if the applicant took a certain amount of leave or travelled during the two year period; and/or
  1. The applicant may have commenced work with the employer weeks or months after the TSS subclass 482 visa was granted and in this situation the applicant would therefore not meet the two-year requirement.

Thus, in some situations before nominating employees for Australian permanent residency via the ENS subclass 186 visa program, companies may need to sponsor overseas workers transitioning from Short-Term 482 visas for an additional year.

For advice regarding Australian visas and sponsoring skilled overseas workers, 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.

right-to-disconnect

Proposed Bill to Entitle Workers in Australia to the ‘Right to Disconnect’

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

For our clients sponsoring overseas employees to work in Australia, it is relevant to note that the Australian Federal Government announced that it will introduce laws giving workers the ‘right to disconnect’ under the Fair Work Amendment (Right to Disconnect) Bill 2023.

Specifically, the laws will provide workers with the right to ignore engaging in ‘work activities’ outside of work hours without facing a penalty, unless the reason for the contact is an emergency or genuine welfare matter or the employee is in receipt of an availability allowance for the period during which the contact is made. Under the legislation, work activities which employees can ignore outside regular work hours include monitoring, reading or responding to emails, telephone calls or any other kind of communication from an employer.

It has also been announced that potential fines will apply to employers penalising workers for exercising the right to reasonably disconnect.

The new law is similar to the French labour law which commenced in 2017 attempting to preserve a ‘right to disconnect’ for employees.

If it passes, the ‘right to disconnect’ bill will apply to overseas workers as well as Australian employees.

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.

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.

labour-market-testing

Changes to Labour Market Testing for Subclass 482 and 494 Nominations

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) published legislation on 11 December 2023 that implements several changes to the Labour Market Testing requirements under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (SESR) subclass 494 visa programs, effective immediately.

The published legislation assists sponsors by reducing the number of advertisements employers must post from three to two and eliminates the requirement for the advertisement to be posted on the Australian Government’s Workforce Australia website. These eased requirements apply to all applications filed on or after December 11, 2023, and those filed before December 11 but not yet decided.

In addition, the legislation confirms that “back-to-back” advertisements, where, for example, an advertisement is run for 21 days and then a duplicate advertisement is run for 12 days, are not acceptable. While advertisements can run in parallel and at the same time, employers must ensure that each advertisement runs for at least four consecutive weeks to meet the requirement.

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.

australian-government-new-migration-strategy

New Migration Strategy Released by the Australian Government

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Government released its new Migration Strategy on 11 December 2023 as part of its extensive Review of the Migration System.​​ The long-term migration strategy aims to increase the number of permanent skilled migrants with ‘in demand skills and occupations’ to Australia, decrease the number of temporary residents and crack down on non-genuine overseas student course providers and migrant worker exploitation.

The Australian visa reforms have already begun to be introduced.

The key actions set out by the Australian Government in the Migration Strategy include the following:

1. Targeting temporary skilled migration to address skills needs and promote worker mobility

A new Skills in Demand visa with three targeted pathways, and visa settings that encourage migrant worker mobility in the labour market. New commitments include:

  • A new Specialist Skills Pathway to make it easier for Australia to attract highly skilled workers, for example in the technology or green energy industries
  • A Core Skills Pathway to meet targeted workforce needs, with a simpler, regularly updated occupation list for the skills Australia needs
  • New visa settings that give migrant workers more mobility in the labour market to help tackle worker exploitation and drive productivity
  • Streamlined labour market testing and visa processing.

The current Temporary Skills Shortage Visa 482 will likely be replaced by a new 3-tiered system based on earnings (visas granted for up to 4 years):

  • Specialist Skills Visa Pathway: For highly skilled applicants earning a salary above $135,000. No occupational list is required for this pathway, and processing turnaround time is intended to be only 7 days. Capped at 3,000 places per year.
  • Core Skills Visa Pathway: This pathway will provide the majority of visas for the program, for applicants earning $70,000 – $135,000. Applicants are eligible based on a revised ‘skills in demand list’ developed by Jobs and Skills Australia, including trades workers.
  • Essential Skills Visa Pathway: A new pathway with union oversight is being planned for specific sectors, such as aged care and disability. The details including the minimum salary threshold of $70,000, are yet to be determined.

2. Reshaping permanent skilled migration to drive long-term prosperity

A commitment to explore a reformed points test for permanent skilled migration, and a new Talent and Innovation visa for migrants who can drive growth in sectors of national importance.

3. Strengthening the integrity and quality of international education

A package of integrity measures to lift the standards for international students and education providers, while ensuring graduates help meet skills shortages and do not become ‘permanently temporary’.

New commitments include:

  • Higher English language requirements for international students and graduates
  • More scrutiny of high-risk student visa applications and a $19m investment into the Home Affairs student visa integrity unit
  • Restrictions on onshore visa hopping that undermines system integrity and drives ‘permanent temporariness’
  • Strengthened and simplified Temporary Graduate visa settings
  • Measures to support international students and graduates to realise their potential.

4. Tackling worker exploitation and the misuse of the visa system

A comprehensive suite of legislation, powers, penalties and policies to combat worker exploitation and restore integrity to the migration system.

New commitments include:

  • A new public register of employer sponsors to improve integrity and support migrant worker mobility.

5. Planning migration to get the right skills in the right places

A longer-term, evidence-based approach to planning migration that closely collaborates with states and territories and ensures population planning is based on the best available population data and forecasts.

New commitments include:

  • A new approach to planning permanent migration over the long-term and greater state and territory collaboration on net overseas migration forecasts.

6. Tailoring regional visas and the Working Holiday Maker Program to support regional Australia and its workers

A new direction to ensure visas for regional Australia are prioritised first, and a commitment to evaluating regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure migration supports development objectives in regional Australia and does not contribute to worker exploitation.

New commitments include:

  • A new direction to ensure regional visas receive the highest priority visa processing

7. Deepening Australia’s people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific

A new approach to developing people-to-people links with our region, including through a direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders and increased mobility with Pacific Island and Southeast Asian countries.

8. Simplifying the migration system to improve the experience for migrants and employers

A system-wide simplification agenda that will streamline visa settings, reduce visa classes and make the system easier to use.

New commitments include:

  • The removal of 20+ unnecessary and duplicative visas to simplify the visa system.

We will continue to update you as the new Migration Strategy is implemented incrementally by the Australian Government.

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.

Subclass 482-and-494-Visa-Sponsorship

Subclass 482 and 494 Visa Sponsorship and Upcoming Fixed Term Contract Changes under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth)

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

From 6 December 2023, as part of the Secure Jobs, Better Pay amendments to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth), employers will no longer be able to employ a worker on a fixed term contract in the following situations:

  • Where the employment term is for two or more years (including extensions); or
  • Where the employment contract may be extended more than once, whether or not the total term, is for two or more years.

It is noted that the prohibition of fixed term contracts in the above situations will apply to new fixed term contracts from 6 December 2023. The new provisions will also require review of any fixed term contracts in place prior to 6 December 2023.

It is important that sponsors of overseas employees under the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa program and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa program are aware when drafting employment contracts, which may be for the fixed period of the visa or a fixed term.

The relevant limited exception to the prohibition of fixed term contracts of “special skills” may be applicable in the case of subclass 482 and 494 visa candidates.

However, we recommend that sponsors for the subclass 482 and 494 visa programs obtain advice from an employment lawyer on the matter of fixed term contracts to ensure that the 6 December 2023 the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) requirements are met.

For advice regarding Australian visas and sponsoring skilled overseas workers, 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.

Introduction of Employer Sponsored Permanent Residency Pathway for TSS subclass 482 Visa Holders on the Short Term Occupation List

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

The Australian Federal Government has announced that on 25 November 2023 changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)(subclass 186) visa program will be introduced, with the reforms having the effect of broadening the permanent residency program and enabling Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa holders to apply for employer sponsored permanent residency earlier. A pathway to permanent residency will be introduced to allow those with occupations on the Short Term Occupation List to be eligible to apply for an ENS subclass 186 visa.

What are the reforms being implemented on 25 November 2023?

The significant reforms intended to be implemented by the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) include the following:

  1. All Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa holders will be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the ENS (subclass 186) visa program- Temporary Residence Transition stream, provided they meet the requirements of this visa.
  2. As with the current ENS subclass 186 visa requirements, TSS subclass 482 visa holders will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated as was allocated for their TSS subclass 482 visa.
  3. TSS subclass 482 visa holders will be eligible to apply for employer sponsored permanent residency through the ENS subclass 186 visa program after two years. This has been reduced from the current three year requirement.
  4. The current limit on TSS subclass 482 visa holders with occupations on the Short Term Occupation List that can be made onshore in Australia will be removed.

How will the reforms benefit employers?

For companies sponsoring skilled overseas workers through the TSS subclass 482 visa program, currently the process of selecting the ‘nominated occupation’ for a candidate can be difficult if the employer requires a long-term arrangement and the candidate’s occupation is on the Short-Term Occupation List.

The proposed 25 November 2023 reforms will open up a pathway for permanent residency through the ENS subclass 186 visa program to all TSS subclass 482 visa holders, including visa holders with an occupation on the Short Term Occupation List. This will enable employers to have the option of retaining their skilled overseas staff on a long-term basis, regardless of their occupation.

For advice regarding sponsoring overseas workers, 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.