The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 07 January 2021 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on partner visas, Subclass 309 Partner (Provisional) visa and Subclass 820 Partner Visa applications’ average processing times between July 2019 and June 2020. According to the information, the following was processing time in calendar days for the above period: Month Subclass 309 Subclass 820 July 2019 360 535 August 2019 390 515 September 2019 395 523 October 2019 422 532 November 2019 403 566 December 2019 404 574 January 2020 380 623 February 2020 380 638 March 2020 386 603 April 2020 305 563 May 2020 337 493 June 2020 452 489 Average 384.5 554.5
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 07 January 2021 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Subclass 489 – Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa applications granted for the period between October 2020 and November 2020. According to the information, the following number of 489 visa applications were granted during the above period: Status October 2020 November 2020 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 70 17 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) – specified occupations 31 5 Visa Applications (Client Within NSW) – 5 The specified occupations include Finance Manager, Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Electrical Engineer Dentist, Registered Nurse (Aged Care), Registered Nurse (Community Health), Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency), Registered Nurse (Medical), Registered Nurse (Surgical), Registered Nurses nec, ICT Business Analyst, Analyst Programmer, Developer Programmer, Software Engineer, ICT Security Specialist, Computer Network and Systems Engineer, Primary Products Inspectors nec, Dental Technician, and Enrolled Nurse. Further, the Department had 746 applications on hand for visa applicants located in Australia of which 277 applicants are located within NSW, as on 30 November 2020.
Migration (LIN 19/219: Occupations for Subclass 494 Visas) Instrument 2019, as amended by Migration Legislation Amendment (Health Workforce Certificates Measures No. 2) Instrument (LIN 20/274) 2020 dated 19 November 2020 to modify the definition of Health Workforce Certificate, was compiled and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 24 December 2020. The amendment specified that Health Workforce Certificate is a document that is described as a health workforce certificate and is issued by a health workforce certifier. For this purpose, health workforce certifier are as follows: Specified persons in the Department General Practice Workforce Inc Health Network Northern Territory Ltd Health Workforce Queensland Ltd NSW Rural Doctors Network Ltd Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Incorporated Rural Health West Ltd Rural Workforce Agency, Victoria Limited The amendment also lists occupations that are exempt from this requirement and they are General Practitioner, Resident Medical Officer and Medical Practitioners (nec). The compilation is in effect from 16 December 2020 and thus, is currently in force. To access the full compilation, click here.
Migration (LIN 20/229: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020, as amended by Migration (COVID‑19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Amendment Instrument (LIN 20/283) 2020 dated 01 December 2020 to include applicants whose substantive temporary visas are 90 days or less from ceasing to be in effect, was compiled and registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 12 Jan 2021. he amendment also specified that for visa holders of Subclass 403 (Temporary Work (International Relations)) visa in the Seasonal Worker Program stream, working in agriculture sector, whose visas are ceasing to be in effect in 90 days or less, must be employed by an approved employer under the Seasonal Worker Program. The compilation is in effect from 06 January 2021 and thus, is currently in force. To access the full compilation, click here.
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 21 October 2020 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing information on Student visa (subclass 500) applications lodged between 01/01/2019 and 30/09/2019 and 01/01/2020 and 30/09/2020, where applicant location in Australia and outside Australia. According to the information, the following number of 500 visa applications were lodged during the above periods: Status Jan 2020 Feb 2020 Mar 2020 Apr 2020 May 2020 Jun 2020 Jul 2020 Aug 2020 Sep 2020 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 13,670 19,471 32,164 11,493 11,674 12,020 15,169 23,756 16,628 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 30,412 18,264 9,307 2,552 3,354 4,062 4,446 5,873 6,596 Total 44,082 37,735 41,471 14,045 15,028 16,082 19,615 29,629 23,224 Status Jan 2019 Feb 2019 Mar 2019 Apr 2019 May 2019 Jun 2019 Jul 2019 Aug 2019 Sep 2019 Visa Applications (Client Within Australia) 12,373 19,562 30,061 12,008 13,110 12,399 16,114 26,227 19,298 Visa Applications (Client Outside Australia) 34,450 22,809 16,077 17,311 28,460 34,015 25,152 16,456 15,961 Total 46,823 42,371 46,138 29,319 41,570 46,414 41,266 42,683 35,259 The statistics include figures for both primary applicants and secondary applicants.
Information on Global Talent Independent visa applications The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 28 October 2020 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing statistics on Global Talent Independent (GTI) visa applications granted for Distinguished Talent (subclass 124) visa, Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) visa, Skilled – Independent (subclass 189) visa, Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190) visa, and Distinguished Talent (subclass 858) visa, by top 10 nationalities in the financial year 2019 – 2020. Visa Subclass Nationalities Subclass 124 Iran, China, UK, India, Hong Kong, Bangladesh, USA, Pakistan, Canada, Vietnam Subclass 186 UK, India, USA, South Africa, France, New Zealand, Brazil, Germany, Egypt, Sri Lanka Subclass 187 UK, Brazil, Spain, Poland Subclass 189 China, Iran, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Vietnam, Germany, Sri Lanka, Indonesia Subclass 190 China, Iran, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Ghana, Ethiopia, Russia Subclass 858 Bangladesh, Iran, India, China, UK, Pakistan, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, USA The GTI program allocation quota for financial year 2019 – 2020 was capped at 5,000, which has been increased to 15,000 for the current financial year. For more information on month wise statistics, click here.
The Department of Home Affairs have released information on 30 October 2020 under Freedom of Information request (FOI) providing statistics on partner visa applications, including Partner (subclass 309) visa, Partner (subclass 100) visa, Partner (subclass 820) visa and Partner (subclass 801) visa applications onhand as on 30 September 2020. According to the information, the following number of partner visa applications are onhand as on the above date: Visa Subclass Visa Applications Onhand Subclass 309 29,811 Subclass 100 46,636 Subclass 820 62,440 Subclass 801 84,644 Total 223,531 The statistics include figures for both primary applicants and secondary applicants.
Canberra is undertaking integrity check of continued residence of nominees in Canberra, for whom ACT nominations for skilled migration were approved in December 2019 and January 2020. As part of the process, the nominees must provide evidence of their continuing residence in ACT to ensure that their nomination is not withdrawn by the Territory. ACT is allocated a fixed number of nominations each year under the Territory Migration Agreement. To be nominated for Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa by the ACT Government, applicants must lodge their EOI in SkillSelect before submitting an Expression Of Interest (EOI) in ACT.
Recently, the Government has announced certain measures to protect Australians, securing the borders, and providing resources to recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic. Amongst other things, the plan focuses on immigration and social cohesion by supporting migrants to learn English language and enable them to have the best chance to make a life and succeed in Australia. Being Australia’s national language, the following approaches taken by the Government shed some light on the importance of English language in Australia. Partner Visa Changes Partner visas allow Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens to sponsor their married and de-facto partners through the partner visa and fiancés who are outside Australia through Prospective Marriage visa. There are different types of partner visas: Prospective Marriage visa – Subclass 300 Partner visa (Onshore) – Subclass 820 (Temporary) and Subclass 801 (Permanent) Partner visa (Offshore) – Subclass 309 (Temporary) and Subclass 100 (Permanent) Currently, none of the partner visas have the requirement of English language as an eligibility criteria. However, the Government has indicated introduction of a new requirement to learn English language for partner visa applicants and their sponsors from late 2021, to maximise job prospects in Australia, and enhance social cohesion. If legislative changes are made to this effect, new partner visa applicants and their sponsors will be required to meet functional English requirements or demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to learn English by various means, such as completing 500 hours of free English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP). It is important to know that this requirement will apply at time of the permanent visa application stage only and not the provisional/temporary visa stage. The changes are aimed towards protecting partner visa applicants against family violence by enabling them to have an established support network in Australia, where they can know how and where to seek assistance if any such situations arise. Expanding Access to English Tuition Bill The Parliament has introduced a new bill, Immigration (Education) Amendment (Expanding Access to English Tuition) Bill 2020, which would amend the Immigration (Education) Act 1971 with an aim towards supporting migrants to learn English. The Bill proposes to expand eligibility for migrants to access English tuition to bridge the gap for migrants who have either exhausted their tuition hours without reaching the level of vocational English, or are ineligible for the program. The Bill proposes to amend the upper limit for eligibility to access English tuition to the higher level of vocational English, which is currently functional English, along with removal of 510 hours limit on person’s entitlement to English tuition under the AMEP. These reforms may be seen as one of the most significant reforms to the AMEP and is only the first step of the Government’s plan to make “English tuition more accessible, ensure better quality outcomes and encourage greater participation”. The AMEP is delivered nationally across 58 regions by Registered Training Organisations (RTO). English Language Requirements IELTS TOEFL PTE CAE OET Vocational English 5 for each of the 4 test components 4 for listening, 4 for reading, 14 for writing and 14 for speaking 36 for each of the 4 test components 154 in each of the 4 test components B for each of the 4 test components Functional English 4.5 based on the 4 test components 32 based on the 4 test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening 30 for each of the 4 test components 147 in each of the 4 test components – You may be able to prove your level of English competency if you have undertaken your education or have completed a degree in English for certain number of years, or are a holder of valid passport issued by any of the specified countries. The changes discussed in this blog have not been formalized yet and thus, are not in effect currently. These are proposed changes that reflect the Government’s approach to strengthen the Australian community by upskilling the language ability. If you want to know more about English requirements or want to discuss any other migration issue, Contact Us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents.
Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) are formal agreements between the Australian Government, represented by the Department of Home Affairs, and the State or Territory Governments, known as the Head Agreement, to supplement the workforce strategies of States, Territories and regions, to support employers in designated areas and help them adjust to changing economic conditions. DAMA is a two-tier framework and requires individual labour agreements with employers operating in designated areas upon the execution of the Head Agreement. DAMA focuses on providing flexibility to employers based on their specific economic and labour market conditions. Once executed, individual DAMAs are generally in effect for five years and allows employers to bring overseas skilled and semi-skilled workers to work for them. Currently, there are seven Head Agreements in place in defined regions of Northern Territory, The Goldfields WA, Great South Coast VIC, Adelaide City and Regional SA, Orana NSW and Far North Queensland. This blog is focusing on DAMAs in South Australia. South Australian Government, represented by the Department for Innovation and Skills, has two DAMAs with the Australian Government: Adelaide Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement – to fill skills shortage in metropolitan Adelaide’s high-tech growth industries including defense, space, technology and advanced manufacturing industries; and South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement – to fill skills shortage in South Australia’s regional high growth industries including agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, tourism and hospitality, construction and mining. Recent changes announced by Skilled & Business Migration in October 2020 After the annual review, the Commonwealth Government has agreed to certain significant changes in South Australia’s DAMA, including: Adding new occupations to focus on health care, manufacturing, high-tech sectors, agribusiness, and food production. South Australia’s DAMA Occupation List is provided below. Granting additional English language and age concessions to visa applicants, offering a pathway to permanent residency through the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa or the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (Subclass 494) visa. Approving South Australian Government as a skills assessment authority for occupations that require a skills assessment and have no alternative skills assessment authority. DAMA Occupation List Metro Occupations Advancement Manager Advancement Professional Clinical Researcher Data and Analytics Manager Digital Artist Digital Producer Digital Production Manager Digital Supervisor Senior Digital Artist Chief Executive or Managing Director Corporate General Manager Public Relations Manager Corporate Services Manager Policy and Planning Manager Research and Development Manager Importer or Exporter Chief Information Officer Laboratory Manager Quality Assurance Manager Specialist Manager nec Dancer or Choreographer Actors, Dancers and Other Entertainers nec Artistic Director Film and Video Editor Training and Development Professional Mathematician Statistician Librarian Other Spatial Scientist Graphic Designer Illustrator Multimedia Designer Web Designer Naval Architect Chemist Environmental research Scientist Environmental Scientists nec Geophysicist Hydrogeologist Life Scientist (General) Biochemist Biotechnologist Botanist Marine Biologist Microbiologist Zoologist Life Scientists nec Meteorologist Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec Dance teacher (Private Tutor) Multimedia Specialist Web Developer Analyst Programmer Developer Programmer Medical Laboratory Technician Chemistry Technician Earth Science Technician Life Science Technician Regional Occupations Care Supervisor Cold Store Manager Cold Store Operator Cook (ethnic cuisine) Dairy Cattle Farm Operator Electrical Motor Repairer or Winder Irrigation Technician Poultry Farm Supervisor Poultry Stockperson Production Horticultural Supervisor Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker Senior Piggery Stockperson Skilled Horticultural Worker Vineyard Manager Vineyard Supervisor Welding Engineer Welding Inspector Welding Specialist Supervisor Welding Technologist Aquaculture Farmer Fruit or Nut Grower Grape Grower Mixed Crop Farmer Vegetable Grower Beef Cattle Farmer Dairy Cattle Farmer Mixed Livestock Farmer Pig Farmer Poultry Farmer Mixed crop and Livestock Farmer Sales and Marketing Manager Construction Project Manager Engineering Manager Manufacturer Production Manager (Forestry) Production Manager (Manufacturing) Production Manager (Mining) Supply and Distribution Manager Procurement Manager Child Care Centre Manager Facilities Manager Civil Engineer Structural Engineer Transport Engineer Electrical Engineer Electronics Engineer Industrial Engineer Mechanical Engineer Production or Plant Engineer Engineering Technologist Agricultural Consultant Agricultural Scientist Food Technologist Wine Maker Exercise Physiologist Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher Special Needs Teacher Teacher of the Hearing Impaired Teacher of the Sight Impaired Special Education Teachers nec Dietician Sonographer Optometrist Orthoptist Orthotist or Prosthetist Health Diagnostic and Promotion Professionals nec Chiropractor Osteopath Dental Specialist Dentist Occupational Therapist Physiotherapist Podiatrist Audiologist Speech Pathologist Registered Nurse (Aged Care) Registered Nurses nec Rehabilitation Counsellor Counsellors nec Clinical Psychologist Educational Psychologist Organizational Psychologist Psychotherapists Psychologists nec Interpreter Social Worker Welfare Worker Agricultural Technician Meat inspector Primary Products Inspectors nec Civil Engineering Draftsperson Electrical Engineering Draftsperson Electrical Engineering Technician Electronic Engineering Draftsperson Electronic Engineering Technician Mechanical Engineering Draftsperson Mechanical Engineering Technician Sheetmetal Trades Worker Metal Fabricator Pressure Welder Welder (First Class) Fitter (General) Fitter and Turner Fitter-Welder Metal Machinist (First Class) Metal Fitters and Machinists nec Vehicle Body Builder Vehicle Trimmer Vehicle Painter Stonemason Veterinary Nurse Nurseryperson Plastics Technician Dental Hygienist Dental technician Dental Therapist Diversional Therapist Enrolled Nurse Community Worker Disabilities Services Officer Family Support Worker Residential Care Officer Youth Worker Aged or Disabled Carer Dental Assistant Nursing Support Worker Personal Care Assistant Therapy Aide Driller Miner Shot Firer Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator Backhoe Operator Meat Boner and Slicer Slaughterer Fishing Hand If you want to know more DAMA occupations, skilled migration or are looking for other options to migrate to Australia, Contact Us or call us on (02) 4626 100 to speak to one of our Registered Migration Agents.