CHANGES TO THE OCCUPATIONS LISTS - MARCH 2020
The planned changes to the occupations lists of March 2020 will occur after the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business will have taken into consideration public submissions among the other factors.
A list of flagged occupations (proposed for a change and/or recommended a salary caveat) has just been published. Occupations that are not included in the list are unlikely to see any changes.
The following occupations, currently in the STSOL are proposed for removal from the list:
Careers Counsellor, Vehicle Trimmer, Business Machine Mechanic, Animal Attendants and Trainers nec, Gardener (General), Hairdresser, Wood Machinist, Massage Therapist, Community Worker, Diving Instructor (Open Water), Gymnastics Coach or Instructor.
The occupations below are proposed for a change of list from MLTSSL to STSOL:
Automotive Electrician, Motorcycle Mechanic, Locksmith, Painting Trades Worker, Glazier, Wall and Floor Tiler, Cabinetmaker
On the contrary, the following occupations might be transferred from STSOL to MLTSSL:
Sales and Marketing Manager (with a salary caveat of $120,000), ICT Project Manager (includes Blockchain Planner/Manager), Information and Organisation Professionals nec (includes Data Scientist), Insurance Loss Adjuster
From ROL to STSOL:
Post Office Manager, Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson, Real Estate Representative
From TSOL to ROL:
Geologist
From ROL to MLTSSL:
Procurement Manager, Ship's Master
Added to STSOL:
Corporate Treasurer, Aged or Disabled Carer , Nursing Support Worker, Personal Care Assistant
Last but not least, the occupations below are proposed a salary caveat of $65,000:
Baker, Pastrycook, Horse Trainer , Fitter and Turner, Sportspersons nec, Poultry Farmer.
Do not hesitate to contact us for further information
NEW 494 VISA LEGISLATIVE INSTRUMENT
It is no secret that the 494 visa will replace the 187 visa starting from 16 November 2019.
Several changes are made to the old program with the new definition of regional areas being probably the major one: Perth and the Gold Coast will be, in fact, regional and eligible areas for such visa.
Nearly 700 eligible occupations will pave the way for thousands of prospective migrants aiming at achieving permanent residency in Australia.
Similarly to the obsolete 187 visa, the new 494 visa will require the applicants to:
Have a nominating employer
Have a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation
Have at least 3 years of experience in the nominated position (after qualification/skilled date)
Have competent English (IELTS 6 each band or equivalent test)
It is a 2 stage process, with the 494 visa granted for 5 years and the applicant potentially eligible for permanent residency through the 191 visa after 3 years WITHOUT being nominated by an employer.
Want to know more? Contact us.
Perth Regional status reinstated
As of 16 November 2019, Perth “regional” status will be reinstated.
This will bring a number of benefits to people migrating to Western Australia such as:
Obtain eligibility for an an additional year on a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa;
Additional 5 points when applying for a skilled visa (18/190/491);
Perth residents can sponsor their skilled relatives for the family stream of the 491 visa
We will release further updates when available.
Student visas - Increase to financial capacity
With the just released legislative instrument 19/198 the Department of Home Affairs has reviewed,
as of tomorrow 24th October,
the requested evidence of financial capacity for student visa applicants.
Not all student visa applications require the applicants to show evidence of funds, however, the Department of Home Affairs has the right to request such evidence.
The previous figures are updated as follows.
Student visa applicant must have access to:
$21,041 for a primary applicant (currently $20,290)
$7,362 for a spouse or de facto partner (currently $7,100)
$3,152 for a dependent child (currently $3,040)
Annual school costs (unchanged)
The Department will be satisfied that the requirement is met where the applicant can demonstrate an annual income of $62,222 (currently $60,000) where there is one only applicant;
$72,592 (currently $70,000) where there is a secondary applicant.
Make sure you meet the above requirement among the others before lodging your student visa application or ask for professional advice.