Amalsa Australian Migration

Today’s news from Canberra’s Skill and Job Summit are very positive and encouraging for the Australian migration industry. Only hours ago, the Home Affairs Minister, Claire O’Neil has announced that Australia’s permanent migration cap will be increased by 35,000 to 195,000 in this financial year.
In doing this, the government has pledged to adopt a strong focus on permanent rather than temporary migration.

Clear consensus between government and key industry stakeholders has been established to support this move. The Albanese Government has committed to adopt a twofold approach that involves development of skilled migration pathways on one hand and strengthening (up-skilling) of the nation's domestic workforce, on the other. The current acute skills' crisis is anticipated to be alleviated by a combination of the two, increased migration intake and training of the domestic workers.

Based on this new initiative, regional areas are to get 34,000 permanent migrants, which is 9,000 higher than the previous target.

Immigration Minister, Andrew Giles, has pledged to clear current visa backlog, which is now accounting for about 900,000 applications, by increasing the department’s staffing levels to handle this increased workload. The excessively long processing times have had a significant negative impact on our economy.

Amongst many other speakers, Queensland premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk, has announced that her state alone will require 280,000 new workers by 2024/25, following a comprehensive dialogue between her government and the local business community.

So has, Qantas Chief Executive, Alan Joyce, indicated the same need to increase the skilled migrant’s intake, as according to his words, the pandemic related border restrictions have clearly highlighted how critical skilled migrants are to our economy and our ability to function properly.

In the same manner, Australian banking association Chief Executive, Anna Bligh, confirmed that the banking sector is another hardly hit sector “screaming out” for skilled workers.

Universities Australia Chief Executive, Catriona Jackson also attributed to this conversation adding that the government should focus on increasing retention rates for overseas students to help alleviate skills shortages.

The today’s announcement is in line with an Easy Pathway for Australian PR scheme, which was introduced at the beginning of this financial year aiming to primarily focus on Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) subclass 482 visa holders.

It is estimated that there are in access of 52,000 holders of 482 and old 457 visa holders, who have given up hope of applying for Australian PR. But as per the new rules introduced on July 1, 2022, these visa holders can now apply for a Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) visa. Applying for a further visa will enable them to work and live permanently in Australia, if their employers nominate them.

To get eligible, candidates should have a valid subclass 482 or 457 visas, during the last two years. Candidates who resided in Australia from February 1, 2020, to December 14, 2021, can also apply for this visa, as well as, the subclass 457 visa holders who are under STSOL – Short-term Skilled Occupation List.

With record low unemployment rate in Australia at 3.4%, acute labour shortages across the entire economy and business groups screaming for more workers, the immediate outlook for Australian migration industry is quite bullish.

The Amalsa Group, continues to service the ever-changing needs of the migration industry. We have been doing so for more than a decades now. We understand the core industry requirements and strive to tailor our services to fulfil the current need.

Inside our website is our unchanged Price List with some of the most popular services:

www.amalsa.com.au

For further inquiries and /or information on any of the above services, please contact us via: E-mail: [email protected] or phone: +61 488 203 806. We are looking forward to hearing from you.

AMALSA Top registered Australian Education Agents based in Melbourne CBD. We partner with leading Education Institutions, Migration Agencies and Lawyers to ensure a stressful and seamless experience for those wishing to live and study in Australia.

Age limit increase for Italian and Danish Working Holiday Visa

From 1 July 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia will increase by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age.
Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark.

Australia has previously negotiated arrangements on a reciprocal basis with Canada, France and Ireland to expand the eligible age range for WHM applicants to 35 years.

Age limit increase for Italian and Danish Working Holiday Visa

From 1 July 2022 the age limit for Italian and Danish citizens wanting to work and travel in Australia will increase by five years – from 30 to 35 years of age.
Australian citizens up to the age of 35 will also benefit from reciprocal arrangements with Italy and Denmark.

Australia has previously negotiated arrangements on a reciprocal basis with Canada, France and Ireland to expand the eligible age range for WHV applicants to 35 years.

Eligible visas and Bridging visas - Travel exemptions

The MIA has requested the Department to clarify if the holders of BVBs associated with visas listed as eligible visas for entry to Australia without requiring a travel exemption are also included in that exemption.

Questions about these visas were not, it seems, anticipated as the Department was unable to immediately clarify the situation and needs some time to provide the answers.

The MIA will provide the information to members as soon as it becomes available.

(font: M.I.A.)

Switzerland - no visa required for Aussies and added to Work and Holiday program

Minister Hawke has announced that from 1 January 2022, Australians will no longer require a visa to enter Switzerland.

Switzerland has also been added to the Work and Holiday program from 1 January 2022 allowing those aged between 18 and 30 to apply to stay in Australia for one year while undertaking short-term work and study.

The Minister's media release is available here

Legislative Updates
Visitor Visas
Legislative Instrument - Migration (Priority consideration for certain Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Instrument (LIN 21/074) 2021 - F2021L01602.

This Instrument specifies that applications for SC 600 Visitor visas in the Tourist and Business streams for passport holders from the following countries be given priority consideration:

India
China
United Arab Emirates (Reg 2.12M(2)(b)(i)
Applicants must be in located in the passport country when making the application and request priority consideration when making the application (Reg 2.12M(2)(b)(ii)

The application must be made on Internet Form 1419 (Reg 2.12M(2)(c)(i)

The paper Form 1419 is not listed for the purposes of making this application.

This Instrument commences on 26 November 2021 and repeals IMMI 17/052

Australia: The 408 pandemic visa: What you need to know

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government established the Pandemic Event Stream of the 408 Visa to provide flexible temporary arrangements for visa holders in Australia.

Here's what you should know about this visa option to extend your stay. Find out:

Who can apply for a 408 (Pandemic Stream) Visa?
What is a Critical Sector for the 408 Visa?
When should employers consider the 408 Visa option for employees?
What should I know before applying?
Who can apply for a 408 Pandemic Visa?

You may be able to apply for the 408 (Pandemic Stream) Visa if you:

Are in Australia;
Have a visa that is expiring / expired;
Have no other visa options.
In addition to the above, you can only apply for this visa for two reasons – either:

a.) For work in a Critical Sector

You must have 90 days or less on your current visa or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago (Note: Substantive visas do not include Bridging Visas.)
OR

b.) To extend your stay because you cannot depart Australia due to COVID-19 travel restrictions
You must have 28 days or less on your current visa or your last substantive visa expired less than 28 days ago.

FAQ

How long can I stay in Australia on a 408 (Pandemic Stream) Visa?

*Up to 12 months if approved for work in a critical Sector
* Up to 3 months if you cannot depart Australia due to Covid-19 travel
restrictions

What is a Critical Sector for the 408 Visa?

The Government's definition of a Critical Sector may change depending on Australia's needs during the pandemic.
Here's what it currently includes for the 408 Visa:

* Agriculture
* Food Processing
* Health Care
* Aged Care
* Disability Care
* Chld Care

Should employers consider the 408 Visa for employees?

The 408 Pandemic Event Visa is not a sponsored visa.
Individual applicants may apply with evidence that:

An Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident cannot fill the position;
The position is needed for work in a Critical Sector – including dates of work.
Provided that the work is for a Critical Sector and the visa holder is currently in Australia, there are a few scenarios where employers and employees have been using this visa:

For workers on a Working Holiday Maker Visa that do not meet the requirements for a second or third Working Holiday Maker Visa and are unable to leave Australia
Note: Those approved for Critical Work in the health or medical sectors can use their work on the 408 Visa as 'eligible work' for a second or third Working Holiday Visa;
For workers on the Seasonal Worker Program whose visa is expiring / expired.
As global mobility is limited during the pandemic, the 408 Visa option has been used to allow for ongoing work in critical areas that are experiencing skill shortages.

What should I know before applying for a 408 Visa?

To apply as a Critical Sector worker, evidence from an employer is required.

To apply to extend your stay due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, you should include evidence that:

You cannot fly due to COVID-19 travel restrictions;
You have no other visa options based on your intended activities;
You have enough funds to support your stay (you will not be provided work rights).
All 408 Visa applicants should provide evidence of health insurance.Other things to note:

You can add family members in Australia to this visa;
You can apply for another 408 Visa if it is about to expire (if still eligible);
You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.
All 408 Visa applicants should provide evidence of health insurance.Other things to note:

You can add family members in Australia to this visa;
You can apply for another 408 Visa if it is about to expire (if still eligible);
You must meet the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement.
What is the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement?

Some Temporary Visas in Australia have a GTE requirement to assess if you genuinely intend to stay temporarily in Australia. It considers a range of factors including:

Your reasons for applying and whether these fit the visa's intended purpose;
Your visa history – to ensure you are not attempting to maintain ongoing residence without using the appropriate Permanent Residence Visa pathways;
Your compliance with visa conditions;
Other relevant matters – including your suitability for the role, circumstances in your home country and whether the role was created to secure your ongoing stay.
How many 408 Visas have been granted? How long does it take?

The below statistics show how many 408 Visas have been granted by the Department of Home Affairs compared to the number of applications received.

We have received a lot of enquiries this week from people with family in Afghanistan who are anxious to help them get out.

Some of our clients have fortunately been evacuated with visa applications still in process. The following are our learnings for people with pending visa applications which hopefully can help others:

Your family member needs to have a pending visa application, whether it is a Humanitarian, Partner/Spouse, Child or Visitor visa.

We expect that people with Partner/Spouse, Child or in the latter stages of the Humanitarian visa process will be prioritised over other visa applicants.
Register all family members seeking evacuation on
https://covid19.dfat.gov.au
Email: [email protected] & [email protected]
to request evacuation.

Emails should include the following information:

1) personal details
2) details of visas if held or lodged applications
3) copies of any ID documents
4) their relationship to Australia /Australian based relatives etc
5) where they are located – Kabul or other location in Afghanistan
6) contact number and / or email for Afghanistan AND Australia.

Contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 in Australia or +61 2 6261 3305 outside Australia to follow up and request evacuation.

Wait for contact from DFAT for details about when to go to the airport and which gates to us.

Please note that existing visa holders, permanent residents and citizens should follow the steps from 2 to 5.

Australia: New agriculture visa will provide a pathway to permanent residency for foreign workers.

The Federal government has confirmed a new agriculture visa for farm, meat, fisheries and forestry workers that may provide a pathway to permanent residency or regional settlement in Australia.

The new visa will allow foreigners to work on Australian farms, will be in place from late next month, however details on who and how many people can apply have not been confirmed.

A statement signed by key government ministers said, "The Australian Agriculture visa will be open to applicants from a range of countries negotiated through bilateral agreements. Full conditions will be developed and implemented over the next three years as the visa is operationalised."

Agriculture minister, Mr Littleproud said, "This is a structural change to the agricultural workforce. It gives our farmers the confidence to plant a crop and know that they'll be able to get it into the supply chain." He also said the new visa would be complementary to existing labour schemes for Pacific Island workers who won't be adversely affected by the new visa.

The decision to create a new ag visa appears to have been linked to political machinations between the Liberal and National parties, with the Nationals' support for the visa contingent on support of the recent free trade agreement reached with the United Kingdom. The new ag visa had been opposed by some Liberals and its confirmation is considered a major victory for the Nationals and farmers.

The introduction of the new visa has dismayed some farm workers who arrived in Australia on working holidaymaker visas who have already spent years working on farms. Many now feel they have been left out of pathways to permanent residency in Australia.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.

(Font : DoHA)