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australian resident visaEmployer SponsoredGeneral Skilled MigrationStudent

The Australian government released its Migration Strategy on 11 December 2023

The Australian government released its much anticipated and comprehensive Migration Strategy on 11 December 2023, with a policy roadmap containing 8 key actions and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. What are the key actions? Going forward, the key actions have been identified as: Introduction of a new Skills in Demand visa (see here for a…
Mihan Hannan
11 December, 2023
190General Skilled MigrationImmigration

South Australia opens its 2023-24 General Skilled Migration (GSM) program

The 2023-24 SA Skilled Occupation List has been published (see here). Broadly speaking, individuals with skills assessments in occupations in this list may submit Registrations of Interest (ROIs) against four nomination streams. What are the nomination streams? South Australia currently has four nomination streams (see here): If you are an international graduate, who has studied in South Australia, you may…
Mihan Hannan
27 September, 2023
189General Skilled Migration

Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa checklist

The Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa is a points tested application (unless applying through the New Zealand or Hong Kong streams) which can lead directly to permanent residence. Although anyone can submit an expression of interest through Skill Select, it is an invitation only application where the Department selects the highest scoring candidates out of the eligible pool. What are…
Mihan Hannan
15 December, 2022
australian resident visa189General Skilled MigrationImmigrationNew Zealand

What were the 24 May 2021 changes to the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa in the New Zealand stream?

The COVID-19 pandemic has severely disrupted Australia’s labour market, with many employees being stood down or having their hours reduced. This disruption extends to New Zealanders residing in Australia. On 24 May 2021, the Department released a legislative instrument to address the disadvantages to the Skilled Independent (subclass 189) (189) visa applicants in the New Zealand stream who would have,…
Emily Young
7 July, 2021
australian immigration124858Global Talent Independent

What is the Form 1000 and who can be a nominator for the GTI program?

To satisfy the visa requirements for a Distinguished Talent visa application under the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program, the applicant is required to produce a completed approved Form 1000 (Nomination for Distinguished Talent). This form requires the applicant’s record of achievement to be attested to by a nominator who has a national reputation in relation to the area of achievement.…
Mihan Hannan
12 August, 2020
189190EnglishGuidelinesImmigration

What are the English Language requirements for an Australian visa (in plain English)?

Depending on the visa you apply for in Australia, a visa applicant may need to provide the Department with evidence of your English language ability. Which visa are you applying for and what are the English requirements? The below table sets out the general English requirements for some common visa applications (noting that certain applicants may be exempt from English…
Mihan Hannan
13 January, 2020
491494General Skilled Migration

The new Australian regional visas: Subclass 491 and Subclass 494

From 16 November 2019 Australia opened two new regional visa categories to replacing existing visa programs. There is also an expanded definition of “regional areas” to include areas formerly excluded such as Perth and the Gold Coast. You can read more general information about these updates here. This article provides a useful summary of the eligibility requirements for the visas.…
Mihan Hannan
28 November, 2019
189190191491General Skilled Migration

The point of the points test: Australia’s skilled migration program

The General Points Test set out a myriad of attributes which are assessed by the Department of Home Affairs when considering visa applications for general skilled migration visas (which include Skilled Independent - Subclass 189, Skilled Regional Provisional - 489, Skilled Nominated - Subclass 190 and Permanent Residence Skilled Regional - Subclass 191 visas). The minimum pass marks to enter…
Mihan Hannan
24 November, 2019
ENS visa processing timesEmployer SponsoredENS VisasGeneral Skilled MigrationTSS

The classification challenge in immigration: what is a Data Scientist as defined in ANZSCO?

In many industries, some of the most in-demand occupations or specialities did not exist 10 or even 5 years ago, and the pace of change is set to accelerate. In recognising that Data Scientists are a “new and emerging” occupation not currently covered by the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS)…
Jordan Tew
1 November, 2019
Employer SponsoredGeneral Skilled MigrationQueenslandRegionalWestern Australia

With Australia updating its regional migration program (including expanding “Regional Australia” to Perth and the Gold Coast), here’s what to expect from 16 November 2019

In a joint media release on 26 October 2019, the Federal Government announced significant changes to its regional immigration program to take effect from 16 November 2019. Specifically, the government announced: increases to its regional migration program intake from 23,000 to 25,000; and an expansion of the migration definition of regional Australia to include Perth and the Gold Coast (formerly…
Mihan Hannan
31 October, 2019
Business VisitorGeneral Skilled MigrationPhilippines

Philippines: What are ‘business visitor activities’ and do I require work authorisation?

Whether you require work authorisation in the Philippines, or can simply undertake business visitor activities on visa free entry, will depend on your passport country and upon the activities you wish to undertake in the Philippines. What are ‘business visitor activities’? Philippines immigration law details business visitor activities as the following (non-exhaustive): Attending business meetings or round table discussions; Attending…
Mihan Hannan
29 August, 2019
child migration australiaGeneral Skilled MigrationGuidelinesOccupation Lists

Are you an Accountant? You may be eligible for PR through the GSM Program

Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is used by the Australian government to fill skill gaps in the Australian economy by targeting specific occupations and people with relevant skills and experience. Accountants are listed on the Australian government’s Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List. This means this occupation is in high demand in Australia, and opens up pathways to…
admin
7 February, 2018
australian partner visasGeneral Skilled MigrationGuidelinesOccupation Lists

Are you a Systems Analyst? You may be eligible for PR through the GSM program

Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is used by the Australian government to fill skill gaps in the Australian economy by targeting specific occupations and people with relevant skills and experience. Systems Analysts are listed on the Australian government’s Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List. This means this occupation is in high demand in Australia, and opens up pathways…
admin
6 February, 2018
australian partner visasGeneral Skilled MigrationGuidelinesOccupation Lists

Are you a Software Engineer? You may be eligible for PR through the GSM program

Australia’s General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is used by the Australian government to fill skill gaps in the Australian economy by targeting specific occupations and people with relevant skills and experience. Software Engineers are listed on the Australian government’s Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List. This means this occupation is in high demand in Australia, and opens up pathways…
admin
6 February, 2018
australian partner visas457 visaGeneral Skilled MigrationImmigration

Why Mike Cannon-Brookes’ “radical” idea may not be so radical after all

In a recent interview with StartupSmart, Queensland’s chief entrepreneur Steve Baxer (also of Shark Tank fame) recently revealed a conversation held with Atlassian co-founder Mike Cannon-Brookes where they discussed solutions to attract more skilled tech workers  locally. The idea proposed by Cannon-Brookes involved picking “the top 50 universities in the world, and tell their graduates if they have good enough…
admin
23 January, 2018
General Skilled Migration

General Skilled Migration: What has changed from 1 July 2017?

Among the changes to the company sponsored visas, there have also been changes to the general skilled migration visa cartegories. Changes to points-tested skilled visas From 1 July 2017 applicants for points-tested skilled visas (excluding the New Zealand pathway) must be below the age of 45 years at time of application. Information on the changes is available at each of…
admin
1 July, 2017
General Skilled MigrationGuidelines

Skills Assessments for ICT Professionals in Australia

In its last Migration Programme Report for the year ending 30 June 2016, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (Department) released statistics confirming that the Skill stream  comprising the Employer Sponsored Category, the General Skilled Migration category (GSM), and the Business Innovation and Investment Programme and Distinguished Talent categories amounted to 67.7 percent of the total 2015-2016 migration programme outcome. Delving…
admin
10 June, 2017