In support of the South Australian Government’s on-going response to the Coronavirus, Immigration SA is implementing visa eligibility criteria changes and will prioritise the processing and nomination of health and medical workers.
Both the Marshall State Government and the Morrison Federal Government have acknowledged the need to urgently find more medical and health professions to join the Australia’s Healthcare System.
Epidemiology experts are predicting there will be an intense as well as lengthy infection period for the Coronavirus.
A lot of businesses are currently being negatively impacted by the coronavirus and many others are staring down the wave about to crash over them.
In the sea of information currently spreading on coronavirus matters, it can be difficult to understand where you and your 457/482 visa holding employees stand.
A lot of businesses are finding it necessary to:
Reduce staff salaries
Reduce staff hours
Stand staff down where there is no work for them to do
Make arrangements for staff to work from home
There are strict regulations which apply to Standard Business Sponsors and their relationship with sponsored staff.
We write this post with a very heavy heart for all the employers who have to make the most difficult decision of all, whether to continue to employ people or let them go and place them in unemployment.
As we are now in the second month of what is unprecedented dual health and economic impacts sweeping across the globe the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic has immediately affected the very way businesses and people interact with each other.
The recent Australian Government emergency announcements touch on every part of society. From an Australian Migration perspective, across the board, there are difficulties faced by employer sponsors and employees that are sponsored; there are difficulties faced by families that are separated by distance or face uncertainty regarding their visa status as borders lockdown and flight schedules continue to be cancelled; and there are a whole host of temporary visa holders who do not have the protections from the Australian Government that ordinary Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents have access to.
In an announcement from the office of The Hon Alan Tudge MP Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs on April 4, 2020 The Federal Goverment answered our question:
"While citizens, permanent residents and many New Zealanders have access to unconditional work rights and government payments
The Australian Government has introduced a new stream for people whose visas have expired or are about to expire.
The temporary visa subclass 408 is no eligible to Visa Applicant’s whose visa was held in the last 28 days and are unable to apply for the same visa or do not meet any eligibility criteria for another visa.
The purpose of the new visa stream provide a pathway for certain former and current holders of temporary visas to lawfully remain in Australia and who would otherwise be required to depart Australia who, but for the COVID-19 pandemic, are unable to leave Australia.
If you think you might be eligible to apply for a GTI, take 5 minutes to complete our free online GTI assessment form. Our lawyers and registered migration agents will assess your eligibility and get back to you.
The Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs introduced a new program in 2019 to boost the movement of highly skilled individuals from around the world to Australia.
This includes a fast-tracked pathway to Australian permanent residency for applicants with globally recognised talent in a target sector.
This is one of the first programs of its type where Australia is actively hunting talented people and asking them to come to Australia.
It presents a great opportunity for a highly-skilled professional in a high-growth area to move to Australia permanently.
The Global Talent scheme was launched 4 November 2019 and is built on the existing Distinguished Talent program, comprised of:
Offshore Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 124)
Onshore Distinguished Talent visa (subclass 858)
Fast Processing
At the Law Council's Immigration Law Conference on 20 March 2020, respresentatives from the Department of Home Affairs stated that applications under the GTI program are being given priority processing. Processing times vary from 2 day to 2 months with many being decided in one to two weeks!
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs (as he then was) David Coleman has also signed Direction no 85 to give high priority to GTI applications as they are considered to be highly desireable by the Government.
“Ability to attract” a salary at or above the Fair Work High Income Salary Threshold (this varies each financial year and is AUD158,500 as at 01 July 2021) or
Recent graduate of PHD or a Masters program who received high grades.
The program is designed to have global talent officers situated around the world in capital cities such as Dubai, New Delhi, Santiago, Shanghai, Washington DC, Berlin and Singapore. These officers are seeking to attract and engage highly skilled individuals to the program to move to Australia and bring their skills with them.
Currently there are allocated 15,000 places in the GTI program which are up for grabs so if you’re a leader in your field, make sure you get your place to move to Australia.
Watch our video: Fast Track to Australian PR Now: GTI visa for Tech and IT sectors
High-Growth Fields
Agricultural Technology (AgTech)
AgTech is one of the fields identified for the Global Talent Independent Program.
Australia is looking to push the boundaries of “Agriculture 4.0”.
Growth through the Internet of Things (IOT) has been identified as an area for further explanation, with big advantages to flow for the agriculture industry.
FinTech is a growing field worldwide, including in Australia.
We have seen the rise of a range of:
Modern banks such as Up, Xinja and 86,400
Investing platforms such as Raiz, eToro and Spaceship
Payment platforms and digital financial products, including AfterPay
Regtech and many many other FinTech products in Australia
To develop cutting edge technologies which will function in not only the Australian financial market, but which can be exported to overseas markets, Australian FinTech startups and companies need the highest level of talent.
If you are a developer, computer scientist or financial expert with a background in FinTech, a permanent move to Australia through the GTI program could be the way to go.
There is innovation globally in the medical technology field, using technologies both existing and developing.
From a range of industries to create technologies that better serve the health needs of patients.
In Australia, there are big opportunities in developing new and better medical devices, implants and bionics.
There is work to be done in designing, building and quality assurance on new implants and body augmentations
to help those with serious health problems to live a better life.
Key foundation competencies are needed in engineering and product design in the MedTech field.
Cyber Security
Cyber Security is very important to many businesses and government Departments, ensuring that data, personal information, commercial information and funds remain secure.
There are a range of interesting startups already underway, looking at microsatelites and other services in the space and space-adjacent industries.
Applicants who have experience working with the development of sensors, advanced materials, robotics and augmented/virtual reality systems
will have skills which are highly valuable.
One of the advantages of operating in Australia, especially in the advanced manufacturing industry, is the access to nearby asian countries.
Timezones, close proximity and existing networks make Australia a positive environment.
If you are a global talent in the advanced manufacturing industry, this program might be a suitable way for you to obtain a permanent Australian visa
and work for an established company or establish your own.
Quantum Information/Advance Digital/Data Science and ICT
There is a lot of research taking place in advanced computational systems and the field of “big data”.
There is demand for high level talent with experience and aptitude in the area to make big breakthroughs.
Global talents are sought by universities, government research organisations and private industry to develop and apply quantum information/advance digital/data science and ICT.
Global Talent Employer Sponsored (GTES) (TSS subclass 482 visa)
The GTES is an option for businesses to sponsor highly skilled workers who do not fit neatly into atarget sector. It has been open for applications since 1 July 2018.
One success story is Daniel Tan, the founder of Pencil Rocket who has obtained a SISA visa in connection with ecosystem provider Flinders New Venture Institute.
Bruno arrived in Adelaide as a student visa and fell in love with Australia's laid back lifestyle.
Work Visa Lawyers helped Bruno with his successful Skilled Regional (Provisional) 489 visa application under the ANZCO 391 111 Occupation of Hairdresser.
This Article was last updated on Monday April 6, 2020.
As we write this update, we have a very many people worried for the future and concerns for loved ones abroad and in Australia due to the disruption the Coronavirus crisis is causing as the number of confirmed cases rise globally by the hour.
At this point in time, many plans for the future have been disrupted as a result of the lockdown or shutdown of airports and countries to foreigners.
Our thoughts are with anyone who finds themselves in this position. As specialist in the area of partner and family migration we have been considering how the Coronavirus crisis may be affecting you and created
