South Australia (SA) offers many opportunities for skilled migrants. With 503 occupations listed on the SA Skilled Occupation List and four available streams, you may be eligible to apply.
South Australian Graduates Stream
International graduates who have selected South Australia as their study destination are given preference within the General Skilled Migration program.
The criteria to apply include:
Have completed your qualification at a South Australian education provider
A minimum of 50% of your qualification must have been completed in South Australia
Must have resided in South Australia for at least one year during your studies
Have been residing in South Australia for at least the last 12 months
Have been working for the last 6 months, and be currently employed, in a full-time (at least 30 hours per week) job that is relevant to your nominated occupation
Western Australia (WA), South Australia (SA) and Victoria (VIC) are offering cash incentives for migrants for occupations in healthcare and construction. If you are a health worker or a construction worker, the opportunity is now. You can get the incentive if you move to their state and take up a job. If you have friends or family in construction or health care, then tell them about these amazing offers.
There are massive reductions of around 70% to all the state nomination allocations for General Skills Migration (GSM) for 190 and 491 visas. These allocations were released by the federal government on Thursday, August 25th.
We have created a chart to compare last year’s allocations with this year’s, and percentage cuts. The shocking overall numbers are that the combined state allocations for 190 and 491 visas in 2022-23 were 62,416, while for 2023-24, the number has reduced to just 16,700.
Are you over the age of 45 and considering migrating to Australia?
The Australian visa system offers several options specifically tailored for individuals in your age group. In this article, we will explore seven visa pathways that could open doors to work, live, or reunite with loved ones in Australia. From employer-sponsored visas with relaxed age restrictions to family-related pathways and investment opportunities, there are diverse options to suit your circumstances. Join us as we delve into the details of each visa, highlighting key requirements, concessions, and benefits. Please note that while this information provides a helpful overview, it is crucial to consult with an immigration lawyer or registered migration agent to obtain accurate and up-to-date advice based on your specific situation. Let's embark on this exploration of Australian visa options for individuals over the age of 45 and uncover the possibilities that await you.
The Designated Area Migration Agreement, or DAMA, is an employer-ponsored visa program that allows businesses in specific regional areas of Australia to sponsor skilled workers. Unlike other visa programs, the DAMA Visa has relaxed age restrictions, making it an attractive option for individuals over 45 but under 55. If you have can secure a relevant employer in designated regional area, this could be a viable pathway for you.
One of the notable concessions of the DAMA Visa is the relaxation of age restrictions. Unlike many other visa programs, the DAMA Visa can have an age concession for some occupations up until the age of 55.
In addition to age concessions, the DAMA Visa also offers salary concessions. The DAMA allows employers in designated areas to pay a salary that is below the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) which from 1 July 2023 will be $70,000. This means that employers can offer a slightly lower salary to sponsored individuals compared to other visa categories.
Another advantage of the DAMA Visa is the expanded list of skilled occupations available for sponsorship. The DAMA provides access to additional occupations that are not on the standard list of eligible skilled occupations for other visa programs.
These concessions and benefits make the DAMA Visa an attractive option for individuals over 45 who are looking to migrate to Australia and work in specific regional areas. If you have a job offer in a DAMA-designated area and meet the skill requirements, I highly recommend considering the DAMA Visa as a pathway for your migration.
This script provides an overview of the DAMA Visa and its concessions for individuals over 45. It is important to consult with an immigration lawyer or a registered migration agent to obtain accurate and up-to-date information based on your specific situation.
The Global Talent Visa is designed for individuals who possess exceptional talent or have outstanding achievements in specific target sectors. The target sectors are mostly tech focussed and are listed on screen.
The standard requirements for the GTV apply up until the age of 55.
After the age of 55, you must be of exceptional benefit to the Australian community. If you have the skills and experience that Australia needs, the Global Talent Visa might be the right choice for you.
The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, commonly known as the 482 Visa, is an employer-sponsored visa that allows skilled workers to work in Australia for a temporary period. While there is no specific age restriction for this visa, it is important to note that sponsors need to demonstrate that they cannot find a suitable Australian worker for the position. If you have a sponsor and meet the skill requirements, the 482 Visa could be an option for you.
But the 482 is only a temporary visa. But in limited circumstances, it can lead to PR for those over 45.
The Partner Visa category allows individuals who are in a genuine and committed relationship with an Australian citizen or permanent resident to apply for a visa. Unlike other visa options, there is no age limit for the Partner Visa. If you are in a relationship with an Australian partner and can demonstrate the genuineness of your relationship, this pathway could be the right fit for you.
The Parent Visa category is available for individuals who have children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents. While there is no age limit for this visa, it is important to note that there can be significant processing times and financial requirements associated with this pathway. If you have children who are Australian citizens or permanent residents, the Parent Visa might be worth considering.
The Significant Investor Visa is a pathway for high-net-worth individuals who are willing to invest a substantial amount in Australia. To be eligible for this visa, you must have at least 5 million Australian dollars to invest in approved investments. Age is not a limiting factor for the Significant Investor Visa, making it an attractive option for individuals over 45 with significant financial resources.
Watch the video now:
Do you need help?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.
Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This article is updated regularly. Last updated: Tuesday 9th September 2024
The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) is a requirement almost all migrants will have to pass in the process of immigrating to Australia. Failing the GTE requirement can result in a devastating visa refusal. Here is what you need to know about the GTE criteria so you don’t receive a visa refusal notification.
GTE is short for Genuine Temporary Entrant. Based on the documents provided by the applicant, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will determine whether the applicant has a true purpose of temporary stay and the intention to stay in Australia for the time being.
The key to meeting the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement, is being able to demonstrate a range of strong incentives to leave Australia at the end of the temporary visa.
The DHA will consider the applicant's background in their home country, the immigration history, the incentive to stay in Australia or return home. If you do receive a GTE visa refusal you may have the option to appeal and review the decision.
DoHA looks at factors which might make you wish to not return to your home country:
Political or civil unrest
Military service commitments
Your financial circumstances in your home country
The DoHA will also look at factors which would encourage you to return home such as, if you have a job back home, and have approved study leave. Another example would be if you have a business or personal assets in your home country, or close family members this may also be considered.
If you have spent a long time in Australia, DoHA may consider that you are seeking to extend your stay in Australia and work here.
If you have had previous visa refusals/cancellations
Any previous issues with visa compliance - for example not completing studies on previous student visas, working in excess of work conditions, overstaying your visa
From 23 March 2024, the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for a student visa has been replaced by the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
All applicants for a student visa must demonstrate that their primary intent in entering Australia is to study. They must maintain their status as a student and fully understand that the main purpose of their visa is education.
The Genuine Student requirement ensures that students come to Australia with education as their primary goal and develop skills that meet the country’s needs. After completing their studies, these students may be well-positioned to apply for permanent residency if their qualifications align with Australia's skill requirements.
As part of the student visa application, you must show genuine intentions to study in Australia by addressing the following questions:
Details of your current circumstances, including ties to family, community, employment, and economic factors.
Reasons for choosing this course.
Why you selected the particular education provider.
Your understanding of the course requirements and the experience of studying and living in Australia.
How completing the course will benefit you.
If applying for a student visa while holding another visa type: reasons for not originally applying for a student visa.
Difference between Genuine Temporary Entrant and Genuine Student:
The major difference between GTE and GS is that under GTE, international students had to prove they would return to their home country after completing their studies, which is no longer the case.
GTE required a 300-word statement included in the application form, whereas GS consists of a set of questions with a 150-word limit each, providing more space for students to explain themselves.
Evidence documents to support the facts you listed in your statement should be provided at the time of application as well.
For example, if the applicant mentions that his future goal is to return home and open a restaurant, he can explain it in his GTE and prepare a corresponding business plan for opening a restaurant. However, if an applicant only said in his GTE statement, “I applied because I like it very much.” Such claim is not convincing and will not meet the GTE requirements.
Below is a real example of a refusal that a client received before consulting with Work Visa Lawyers.
Please note that it is common for a case officer to call you and ask you questions about your reasons for study in Australia. You may not receive any notice of this, so it is very important that you are prepared to discuss your case.
In short, no, but the majority of visas do use GTE requirements. The GTE is important because it applies to all Visitor Visas and some of the Temporary Visas. To put this in perspective, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded 780,500 Visitor visa movements in September 2018. Keeping the same amount of movements per month, in a year there would be 9,366,000 Visitor Visa movements. This means that nearly 10 million people would have had to pass the GTE requirements.
Some of the most common Temporary Visas that have the GTE criterion are:
Student visa subclass 500 Recently released migration system review report has suggested that the GTE criteria for Student visa subclass 500 applications be replaced with something called Genuine student test, which will be focused on assessing whether the student has genuine studying intentions as compared to GTE where focus is on assessing whether the student is coming to Australia on a temporary basis and will not live here permanently.
It is important to remember that the GTE is often not the only criteria you will have to meet. For example, the Short-term stream subclass 482 which replaced the popular subclass 457 recently, has many requirements including IELTS and other skills assessments.
It is also important to show a range of documents to demonstrate an incentive to return home. These could include: - Employment to return to in home country. - Close family ties and responsibilities in the home country - for example, if you are married and your partner is staying in home country during the visit, this is a positive GTE factor. - Ownership of property or businesses in home country
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents from Work Visa Lawyers have rich experience in drafting GTE statements. If you need any assistance, please feel free to contact our team.
At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.
If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:
(08) 8351 9956
or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
