Category: Skills in Demand

skills-in-demand-visa

SKILLS IN DEMAND VISA- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

With Australia’s work visa landscape on the verge of significant change with the abolition of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa program and introduction of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa, additional information has been provided by the Australian Government regarding the SID visa. The new visa is intended to revolutionise the Australian visa work visa program and better address genuine skills shortage in the Australian labour market.

In our previous article regarding initial requirements for the Skills in Demand visa, we mentioned the three streams, namely:

  • The Specialist Skills Pathway for applicants earning a base salary of over AU$135,000 per annum in specific fields;
  • The Core Skills Pathway for applicants earning a base salary of over AU$73,150 which will largely mirror the TSS subclass 482 visa and will require applicants to have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL); and
  • The Essential Skills Pathway designed for specific industries with immediate labour shortages.

The additional changes to the replacement SID Australian work visa program include the following:

  1. Work experience requirement: Under the SID visa, applicants will only be required to have one year of relevant work experience, leading to increased accessibility for skilled overseas professionals.
  2. Increased flexibility to transfer sponsors: Under the SID visa, holders will have greater potential for mobility with 180 days given to find a new sponsor.
  3. Skilling Australia Fund visa levy: In order to reflect the greater flexibility of visa applicants under the SID program being able to transfer employers, the Australian Government has stated that the Skilling Australia Fund levy which currently is required to be paid up front for all the years of visa sponsorship will instead be able to be paid in instalments.
  4. Australian Permanent Residency will not reset when transferring employers: Under the SID visa, the Australian Government has stated that time counted towards permanent residency will not reset when a visa holder changes employers as it does under the current system.
  5. Public Register of Approved Sponsors: The Australian Government will introduce a public database of approved sponsors intended to increase transparency of standard business sponsorship.

The introduction of the SID visa in the near future will usher in a host of changes to the Australian work visa program. It will provide a wider pool of applicants where only one year or work experience is required and increased flexibility for visa applicants transferring employers. We look forward to guiding our clients through the new requirements when sponsoring skilled overseas employees through the SID 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.

skills-in-demand-visa

Skills in Demand Visa Information

Posted by Rebecca Berkovic on

With the Skills in Demand visa on the verge of replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS)(subclass 482) visa program potentially before the end of 2024, more details have become available regarding the new Australian work visa program.

The main change to the Australian work visa program will be the introduction of the new three-tiered visa system which will divide applicants based on their annual earnings and occupations. The new Skills in Demand visa is intended to address labour skills shortages in Australia whilst also introducing greater flexibility for temporary overseas workers to find another sponsor if their employment ceases or change sponsors and provides a clear pathway to Australian permanent residency for visa holders.

The three visa streams of the Skill in Demand visa program are intended to contain the following requirements:

Stream 1: Specialist Skills Pathway  

Stream 2: Core Skills Pathway

 

 Stream 3: Essential Skills Pathway
 

  • No skilled occupation list will be provided however it seems that trade workers, machine operators, drivers and labourers will be excluded.
  • Guaranteed annual earnings of over AU$135,000 will be required which is intended to be indexed on an annual basis.
  • Priority processing will be given to this stream with the Australian Government stating that a 7-day median processing time is intended.

 

·
  • Jobs and Skills Australia is intended to provide a regularly updated ‘Core Skills Occupation List’ (CSOL). Visa applicants will be required to meet the definition of an occupation on the CSOL.
  • Guaranteed annual earnings of over AU$73,150 will be required which is to be indexed on an annual basis.
  

  • This stream will apply to occupations where annual earnings are under AU$73,150 but working in ‘essential skill occupations.’
  • This pathway is still under assessment and likely to be sector-specific and include a stronger regulatory framework as well as potentially being capped and with minimum standards introduced.

 

 

 

The Skills in Demand visa set to replace the TSS subclass 482 visa, is intended to be granted for a four year period. The exact requirements will be announced by the Australian Government once the new visa comes into effect. It is intended that all three tiers- the Specialist Skills, Core Skills and Essential Skills streams will act as a pathway to Australian permanent residency.

We will keep you updated with new developments regarding the introduction of the Skills in Demand visa and will advise 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.