New Fees Applicable for Immigration SA State Sponsorship Applications

Immigration SA has announced that there will be fees chargeable for SA state sponsorship applications starting possibly as soon as 16 March 2015. Below is the email notification sent by Immigration SA:

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer at Work Visa Lawyers:

It seems to be a regrettable trend that DIBP and State agencies are raising their fees.

In the short term, one response to the Immigration SA fees could be to try to lodge an application before the fees come into play, after the 15 March 2015.

Source:

Immigration SA Newsletter

http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=20d640fb2433c8647afb2f3b2&id=9cd137cbf4&e=74bc89fd9d

This information is accurate on the 22 January 2015.  DIBP and Immigration SA will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application.

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants with visa applications and state sponsorship applications such as skilled visa and business visa nominations.

If you require further information regarding your current visa options you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Change on South Australian State Nominated Occupation Lists

The Status of the occupation ‘Corporate Services Manager’ has been updated to medium availability.

So if you want to do a state nominated 190 or 489 application for Corporate Services Manager, you should get in quick while it is still on the list.

Source:

Immigration SA:

http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/state-nominated-occupation-lists

This information is accurate on the 13 December 2014.  Immigration SA and DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa options you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Have you missed State sponsorship for a 190 in NSW or Victoria? Here are 10 options to consider!

This is not an exhaustive list of options, but it may be a helpful starting point to turn your focus the possible options. 

1. Check the lists of other States and Territories for your occupation to see if you can obtain sponsorship somewhere else in Australia

Here are links to the relevant authorities:

Australian Capital Territory
www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-visas/

New South Wales
http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw

Northern Territory
http://www.migration.nt.gov.au/

Queensland

http://migration.qld.gov.au/

South Australia
https://www.migration.sa.gov.au

Tasmania

http://www.migration.tas.gov.au/

Victoria
http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/visas-and-immigrating/state-nomination

Western Australia

Skilled visas

http://www.migration.wa.gov.au/services/skilled-migration-wa

 Business visas

http://www.businessmigration.wa.gov.au/

2. Try to secure a position with an employer to sponsor you for a 457, RSMS or ENS

The acceptable positions for a 457 and ENS are on the CSOL.

http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/skilled-occupations-lists/csol.aspx

The RSMS is available for all skill level 1, 2 and 3 positions.

Here is a link to an explanation of to skills levels:

http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/Lookup/1220.0Chapter32013,%20Version%201.2

3. Are you eligible for a Graduate Visa (485) or Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476) for Engineering Graduates?

These are great visas to allow you the time to get a relevant job to boost your chances of applying for a skilled visa.

You can try to get one year of skilled experience towards an occupation on the SOL or CSOL.

You could also try to get a job with an employer, who may be able to sponsor you for a skilled visa.

4. Are you able to apply for a Working Holiday Visa (417) or a Work and Holiday Visa (462)?

These visas are only eligible for a select number of countries.

You will have to apply from outside Australia.

5. Consider further studies – with a view to obtaining a qualification in line with the current SOL and CSOL

Here are links to the SOL and CSOL:

http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/skilled-occupations-lists/sol.aspx

http://www.immi.gov.au/Work/Pages/skilled-occupations-lists/csol.aspx

6. If you study a suitable course in a Regional Area full time for two years then you may get up to five points for Regional study towards the subclass 190 or 489.

From the Immigration site:

“Study in regional Australia

You can receive five points if each of the following applied:

- you met the Australian Study requirement

- if you have lived and studied in regional Australia or a low population-growth metropolitan area

none of the study undertaken constituted distance education.

7. If you study in a Regional area then you have a greater chance of securing state sponsorship, because the lists are more generous.

As mentioned above, you can check the lists of the various states and territories.

8. Consider studying a further course in Tasmania that will give you an occupation on the SOL or CSOL

The state or territory lists tend to be more generous in Regional areas.  Tasmania is very proactive in sponsoring its graduates and so offers a great opportunity for those who want to maximise there chance of sponsorship with then finish their studies. 

9.. Do you have a family member in SA who could sponsor you for Chain Migration?

The details for chain migration are provided on the Immigration SA website.

They include that:

          “Chain Migration is a state nomination pathway for applicants who have an immediate family member permanently residing in South Australia.”

“12.6.1 The family member residing in South Australia must be the applicant’s grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother or sister. Applicants can still apply if it’s a step or adoptive parent / sibling.

12.6.2 The family member must be over 18 years of age.

12.6.3 The family member in South Australia must be either an Australian Permanent Resident or an Australian Citizen.

12.6.4 The family member must be currently residing in South Australia and have resided in South Australia for the last twelve months.”

Further details can be found at:

https://www.migration.sa.gov.au/eligibility_requirements

10. Contact a Registered Migration Agent and Migration Institute of Australia member, for a professional opinion on your visa options

Here is a link the the Migration Institute of Australia, which lists relevant Agents.

http://www.mia.org.au/

I am a qualified Lawyer, Registered Migration Agent and a Member of the MIA and can provide you with professional advice on your options.

Here are my contact details:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Sources:

DIBP website and State and Territory Websites.

Warning:

 This information is accurate on the 22 October 2014.  State/Territory Bodies and DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experience in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa options

you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

NSW State Sponsorship for 190 to open on 22 October – with some Accounting and ICT occupations excluded

The second round of applications for NSW State sponsorship for Subclass 190 visas will open on 22 October 2014 at 10 am.  NSW Trade and Investment has temporarily suspended some occupations for this round, in an effort to ensure a more equitable spread of occupations.

The suspended occupations are:

·  221111 Accountant (General)

·  221112 Management Accountant

·  221113 Taxation Accountant

·  261111 ICT Business Analyst

·  261112 Systems Analyst

·  261311 Analyst Programmer

·  261312 Developer Programmer

·  261313 Software Engineer

·  262113 Systems Administrator

·  263111 Computer Network & Systems Engineer

·  263311 Telecommunications Engineer

·  263312 Telecommunications Network Engineer

The NSW Government has also provided some FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions - October 2014 intake

Here are some exerts from the FAQs:

“When will the October 2014 intake open and close?

The October 2014 intake for NSW nomination program for the 190 visa will open on Wednesday 22 October 2014 from 10am, Australian Eastern Standard Time (UTC +10).

The intake will close when the number of applications received reaches 1,000.”

“Why are Accountancy and ICT occupations excluded from the October intake?

People with Accountancy and ICT occupations took up 75% of the places offered in July 2014. Excluding those occupations for the October intake will allow applications from other occupations needed to support the NSW economy.”

You must meet all requirements and pay the fee:

You will need to meet all the normal requirements for a 190 such as:

- Positive skills assessment in relevant occupation

- IELTS all 6.0 or OET B – or higher requirements for some occupations requiring registration or licensing.

The application fee is:

• for applicants outside Australia: $300;
• for applicants in Australia: $330 (GST included)

What happened last NSW round on 14 July 2014?

The last round was only open for approximately 3 hours or less.  There were reports of the system also freezing and having problems during the process.

A very large amount of people who were hoping to lodge a nomination were unable to before the quota of 1000 was reached.

Source:

NSW Government:

http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visa-and-migration/skilled-nominated-migration/october-2014-intake

http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visa-and-migration/skilled-nominated-migration/how-to-apply

This information is accurate on the 08 October 2014.  State/Territory Bodies and DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experience in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa options you can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

or  %This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Changes to sponsorship list for ACT announced 1 October 2014 – more occupations closed

The ACT Government has release the following information about changes to their sponsorship list.

“UPDATE TO THE ACT OCCUPATION LIST AND 190 NOMINATION CRITERIA, EFFECTIVE 1 OCTOBER 2014.

All occupations which were previously ‘limited’ are now closed.  

Please read the nomination guidelines carefully as there are significant changes, including:

•         Verification: you are no longer required to verify closed occupations.
•         Closed Occupations:

o   Canberra residents and Canberra graduates are not required to be working in the nominated occupation as long as they areworking in a skilled occupation (with ANZSCO skill level 1 to 4). However, interstate graduates must still meet the six (6) months employment in the nominated occupation criteria.

o   Overseas residents require close ties before applying for a closed occupation. The definition of ‘close family has been tightened to only include parents, brother, sister, grandparents, step parents, step siblings of the main applicant or spouse / partner.  

•         Assessment: The assessment of the application for ACT nomination will be based solely on the supporting documents provided at the time of application. Additional documents will not be accepted after submission The case officers will not be requesting further information. If the application is incomplete, or it does not meet the nomination criteria, the application will be refused.

Applications submitted and lodged prior to 1 October 2014  will be assessed against the August 2014 criteria.  Limited occupations previously verified will also be honoured as long as the applications are lodged within 14 days of verification.

The updated ACT nomination criteria and occupation list are available at http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-migration-visas/”

You may still be able to apply for closed occupations if you meet the criteria below:

Here is the criteria for closed occupations:

“If your occupation is listed as closed on the current ACT Occupation List, you may still be able to apply for ACT nomination if you meet certain criteria.

Canberra residents:

·         You have lived in Canberra for the last three (3) months, and:

o    You are working for an ACT employer in a skilled occupation. A skilled occupation is an occupation that has been defined by ANZSCO as having a skill level 1 to 4. See http://www.abs.gov.au/ANZSCO.  

§  You do not have to be working in your nominated occupation.

§  The employment does not have to be full time.

o   (If you do not have work rights) you have a job offer with an ACT employer in a skilled occupation. The job offer does not have to be in the nominated occupation.

·         You are a graduate from an interstate institution, and:

o   You have worked in Canberra for the last six (6) months before applying:

§  You must be working in your nominated occupation.

§  You must be working full time. Student visa holders working 20 hours per week are deemed to meet the full time criterion.

o   You have a genuine commitment to living in Canberra for at least 2 years from visa grant.

Overseas residents

If you are living overseas, you can apply for nomination of a closed occupation if you have:

·         A genuine offer of employment from an ACT employer; or

·         A close family member (includes parents, brother, sister, grandparents, step parents, step siblings) of the main applicant or spouse / partner who is:

o    Currently residing in Canberra and has resided in Canberra for the last twelve months.

o    Either an Australian Permanent Resident or an Australian Citizen.

o    Over 18 years of age.”

Comment by Chris Johnston Migration Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent:

For the ACT there are currently 69 occupations that or open on the ACT list and 582 that are closed.

The changes announce by the ACT favour ACT international graduates and those already living and working in the ACT.

This is part of an overall trend for States and Territories to favour their own graduates.

Source:

Immigration SA:

http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/news/article/guideline-and-act-occupation-list-changes/

 This information is accurate on the 01 October 2014.  State/Territory Bodies and DIBP will change requirements in an ongoing manner and all current requirements must be established prior to lodging an application. 

Do You Need Help?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experience in assisting applicants with the Expression of Interest, State Sponsorship and Visa application process for state sponsored subclasses 190 and 489.  We can also assist with the Independent 189.

If you require further information regarding an application or your Australian visa optionsyou can contact us through:

 (08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091  

or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.