Expected Australian Visa Regulation Changes 2010

As the dust has begun to settle from the Immigration Minister’s sweeping announcement of February 8, John Adams one of the UK's leading Australian Visa speclialists has details of the likely nature of the changes to Australia’s General Skilled Migration Program.

These changes comprise the biggest overhaul of the skilled visa regulations in the past 20 years and will affect all future skilled visa applicants once the new regulations are implemented mid-year (perhaps from July 1 but possibly later). The three major components of these upcoming regulations are:

* A new and reduced Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – the list of occupations eligible for skilled migration (this is set for public release in May and will take effect later mid-year)

* A new General Skilled Migration visa points test

* New ‘State Migration Plans’ that will provide a new prioritised state sponsorship

Skills Australia, the government body developing the new SOL, has released a catalogue of occupations on which the new SOL will be based. While the new SOL will possibly differ somewhat, this catalogue provides a strong indication of what occupations will be eligible for skilled migration in the future. Engineers, teachers, accountants, healthcare professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists, etc), computing professionals, a long list of trades people, as well as many other occupations are all included. This shows that while the new SOL will be smaller, skilled migration will still provide an avenue into Australia for a large number of qualified people.

As part of the regulation overhaul, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) is undertaking a review of the visa points test. A discussion paper arising from this review reveals the possible make-up of a new points test as well other changes. It outlines a redirection in the focus of the General Skilled Migration Program, where it will come to play a more secondary role to employer sponsored migration. While the Immigration Minister has affirmed “there will always be a place in the skilled migration program for highly skilled individuals who wish to migrate without an employer sponsor,” more migrants will become dependent on employer sponsorship.

The new points test could likely see an increase in the number of points available for long term work experience, benefitting those who have worked in their occupation for many years. Currently, there is no difference in points awarded between someone who has worked in their field for 3 or 20 years – this is expected to change. Also floated is the possible raising of the 45 year age limit, providing some hope to those between 45 and 50 who are currently ineligible.

The points allocated to specific occupations could also change, with some occupations presently relegated to 50 points due only to the fact that no specialised skills assessing authority exists – this being a requirement for a 60 point occupation. This could result in occupations such as urban planner, biochemist and actuary (which have only generalised skills assessments) seeing their points value raised. Also possible is that no points will be allocated for occupation at all, with all occupations on the SOL deemed equal. This would almost certainly require the pass marks on the visa points test to drop considerably, as occupation provides the largest number of points of any points category.

DIAC has indicated through its points test review that it is considering awarding points to those with overseas qualifications from internationally renowned educational institutions. Currently, points for qualifications are only available if the qualification was obtained while studying in Australia. As DIAC points out, this has led to perverse outcomes where for example, an environmental scientist with fifteen years experience and a PhD from Oxford University would fail the current points test, while a cook who completed a 2 year cookery course in Australia and has one year’s work experience would pass. Therefore, DIAC is considering awarding points for degree qualifications from a specific list of higher education institutions (for example those in the world’s top 200 universities as ranked). Even more points could also be available for those who have studied in Australia – particularly at its top universities.

Greater points are also being discussed for spouse skills, over and above the 5 points currently awarded. Surprisingly however, family sponsorship from a relative in Australia – which significantly lowers the points needed to qualify – may not benefit applicants to the same level in the future. State sponsorship will though almost certainly continue to feature prominently in the General Skilled Migration Program.

While few details have been released about the new State Migration Plans, their introduction provides hope for many visa applicants who are currently facing long delays in the processing of their applications. It is possible that the State Migration Plans will serve as a kind of premier state sponsorship, providing faster visa processing than the regular state sponsorship currently available. Each state and territory is now in the process of negotiating with DIAC which occupations will appear on their respective State Migration Plans, with specific details expected to be released mid-year. As a skilled visa application sponsored through a State Migration Plan will be the second highest processing priority (following employer sponsorship), applicants could conceivably receive their visas in about 6 months.

What this raft of changes demonstrates is that the Australian Government is more directly targeting its General Skilled Migration Program to accept applicants who will provide the greatest contribution to the country’s economy. With over 50,000 more people applying for skilled visas than there were visas available last financial year, demand outstrips supply. When the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, applications remain in a pipeline until a place becomes available in a subsequent year. This explains both why many applicants are currently suffering from delays and why Australia is now focussing exactly on the skills it most desperately needs. The beneficial net result of these changes will be to engineer a program where visa demand equals supply, while also allowing DIAC to process those applications currently languishing in the pipeline.

This period of upheaval in the skilled migration regulations makes it more important than ever to seek the advice of a Registered Migration Agent. Under the new regulations there will be those who benefit and those who find themselves disadvantaged. For those who will find themselves negatively affected, there may just possibly be enough time to lodge a visa application under the current regulation framework before the new rules take effect. If not, you should discuss with a Registered Migration Agent other visa options that may be available. For those who remain eligible and may even benefit under the new regulations, it would be advisable to take advantage of this situation while it exists. As the seemingly continuous stream of changes that DIAC has implemented over the past year demonstrates, if you are eligible to migrate you should apply for your visa while your eligibility is assured. By waiting unnecessarily, your migration dreams may remain just that.

John Adams is the principal Registered Migration Agent of Immigration2oz.com. He can be contacted at john@immigration2oz.com or +44 (0)1483 230 483.

Overview of Current Job Market in Regional Victoria

Victoria located in the south east of Australia is roughly the size of Britain and all regions are in easy reach of the metropolitan district of Melbourne. The Victoria migration unit are actively seeking skilled migrants to move to the region to fill skill shortages across the spectrum from Pastry chef's and Butchers to teachers and welders. Vacancies exist in Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Grampians-Pyrenees, Goulburn-Murray, Horsham, Mildura, Swan Hill, Wangaratta, Warrnambool and Wodonga.

Geelong with its 137,220 strong population is Victoria’s second largest city situated on the Coast 72km from Melbourne and surrounded by some of Victoria’s most beautiful landscapes. Geelong offers the perfect Australian lifestyle with its mix of inner city, suburban, coastal and rural areas together with a strong economy, employment opportunities, state-of-the-art healthcare and educational resources and a vibrant multicultural community.

Opportunities in Geelong currently exist for key medical professionals including Nurses, Radiographers/Sonographers, Health Information managers, Theatre Technicians, GPs, Podiatrists, Bio-medical Engineers, Pharmacists, Dentists, Physiotherapists, Occupational therapists and Speech Pathologists.

Ballarat is Victoria’s largest inland city just 110km from Melbourne. It's beautiful Victorian buildings and wide, tree-lined streets serve as a reminder of the town's proud history as a major source of wealth and employment for Victoria. Ballarat offers people a rich heritage, contemporary urban lifestyle and a diverse range of outdoor activities as well as schools at all education levels including two universities.

As one of Australia's fastest growing cities Ballarat's economic growth depends heavily on finding skilled migrants to fill vacancies for GPs, Medical specialists, Allied Medical Professionals, Engineers, Accountants, Urban and Regional planners and Computer Programmers.
Sponsorships are available for people who meet the criteria set by the Victoria Government. If you are interested in sponsorship in the state of Victoria you should speak with a MARA registered migration agent or visit http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/

If you are looking for sponsorship our Sponsored Employment Page contains an up-to-date list of vacancies in the Victoria Region where sponsorship is available for overseas candidates.

Northern Territory Growth to Strengthen

The latest Access Economics report has forecast a strong economic rebound for the Northern Territory region over the next five years.

The report released yesterday details a growth of 3.5 per cent growth over the next five years – the third biggest growth forecast behind Western Australia and Queensland.

Economic growth is expected to be low at around 0.3 per cent in the 2009/10 period but rebound strongly to 4.1 per cent in the 2010/11 period as private investment returns and there is an expected increase in consumption, population growth, and improvement in housing construction and improved economic conditions in the Territory’s key tradingpartners. The longer term growth prospects are much stronger, with the economy expected to show strong growth reaching 6.4% in 2012 -13.

The report also details employment growth in the region of 2.7 per cent which would make it the highest in Australia.

The government are believed to have invested $1.3 billion in infrastructure over the last 12 months, lifting public expenditure by 19 per cent in the region. Government expenditure in schools, police stations and health facilities is thought to have helped to keep the economy strong in the past 12 months.

New Sponsored Employment Page

As the Australian employment rate continues to rise and companies have the confidence to start hiring once more we are seeing some really positive feedback from our partners in Australia.

Recruiters who wouldn't consider overseas candidates 6 months ago are now keen to hear from people looking to migrate to Australia as the skills shortage gains momentum.

In order to aid our recruitment partners across Australia we have launched our Sponsored Employment page where we will display vacancies open to skilled overseas candidates. Each of the vacancies listed in this section will offer assistance with state sponsorship or employer sponsorship to the successful candidate.

The section currently has over 60 opportunities situated in NSW, Queensland, Victoria, Western Australia, Southern Australia and the Northern Territory. The vacancies include positions in the Automotive, IT, Medical, Finance, Transport and Engineering sectors and new positions will be added daily.

This is in addition to the 60,000 jobs listed by over 550 recruiters and employers in our job portal.

WA Migration Strategy to Address Skill Shortages

The Western Australia state government will join forces with the Chamber of Commerce and industry Australia (CCIWA) and Chamber of Minerals and Energy of WA (CME) to develop a skilled migration strategy to address the state’s looming skills shortage.

Training and workforce development minister Peter Collier outlined the key areas the strategy would address including:

• Assessing existing migration policy and practices and looking at how this needs to change to better meet the needs of the state’s skill shortages

• Analysing the role temporary and permanent skilled migration plays in meeting skill shortages

• Identifying any barriers to WA being a destination of choice for skilled and business migrants

• Considering international students, business migration, interstate migration, a regional perspective, and the impact on social and hard infrastructure

This project is expected to be vital in alleviating the predicted future skill and labour shortages whilst maximising opportunities for Western Australians.

According to CCIWA, an additional 400,000 workers will be required in WA over the next 10 years. Over 26,000 of these workers would be needed in the resources sector alone.

The WA skilled migration strategy is expected to be released in June.

To read our guide to Lifestyle and Opportunities in Western Australia Click Here.

Australian Recruiters call for Government to Reconsider Sponsorship Rules

Recruiters are calling for the government to reconsider the sponsorship rules and review the number of 457 visas granted as they become increasingly concerned about restrictions on the number of skilled overseas technology workers and the delay this could cause to major projects such as the National Broadband network due to start this year.

Since the government changes to immigration regulations early in 2009 very few IT recruiters now have their own on-hire labour agreements meaning there have been fewer 457 temporary business visa sponsorships in order to get skills to where they are urgently required.

One of Australia’s biggest IT & T recruiters Peoplebank has an on-hire labour agreement with the federal government and estimated they would import 150 to 200 overseas workers annually. However they are currently looking to negotiate an increase with the Immigration Department as they experience a 30% uplift in demand and anticipate a skills shortage by the middle of this year in NSW, Victoria and Canberra.

“There is a recognition that certain skill sets just can’t be found in Australia. For example, there are SAP projects that simply the skills are not here. They have never been done before in Australia. So they are coming out of Europe,” Peoplebank acting chief executive Jeff Knowles said.

“Every month there is an increase in opportunities that are available, so therefore there is the same increase in the need for niche people from overseas, “ Mr Knowles said.

Jonathan Wiles, technology Managing director at Michael Page agrees. “Whilst it is a hot topic at the moment, if the government doesn’t take into consideration what is likely to happen in the economic growth then it is going to make it a lot harder for companies to find the skill sets and be competitive both locally and globally.”

Technical specialists like Java developers, .NET developers, and those with a specialism in visualisation storage, voice and data and SAP are currently most in demand along with applications and analyst programmers and Software Designers.

Figures show that just 1,500 computing professionals were granted 457 visas in the year to 28 February which was down from 2810 in the year to February last year.

Recruiters call for the government to reconsider the sponsorship rules and review the number of 457 visas granted.

Australian Job Adverts Continue to Rise

A leading employment survey shows employers becoming more confident about the economic outlook with job ads up eight per cent in March compared to the same time a year ago.
The ANZ job advertisement series found that the total number of job ads placed in newspapers and on the internet rose by 1.8 per cent to 162,692 a week.

ANZ chief economist Warren Hogan said "This month's continuation in job ads growth suggests labour demand is strengthening in early 2010 and confirms the rapid improvement in economic conditions in Australia over the past six months."

Mr Hogan said ANZ expected the unemployment rate to ease through the rest of 2010, albeit with "temporary wobbles".

The unemployment rate rose 0.1 percentage points in February to 5.3 per cent. The ANZ report expect the figure for March to remain at 5.3 per cent despite their March report showing an extra 12,000 jobs added during the month.