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André Burger & Associates |
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Australian Immigration Services |
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News |
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Cap and Cease for offshore GSM visa applications September 2015
The Government announced Cap and Cease measures for the following visa subclasses: Skilled Independent (subclass 175) Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176) Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) Applications for these visas that were not finalised before 22 September 2015 are taken not to have been made and the relevant visa application charge will be repaid to affected applicants.
Bupa Medical Visa Services to take over from Medibank Health Solutions July 2014
On 25 July 2014 Medibank Health Solutions will cease operations as the department’s migration medical services provider.
The department has selected a new service provider, Bupa Medical Visa Services, to deliver these services.
Closing of Non-Contributory Parent and Other Family visas June 2014
From 2 June 2014 te Immigration Department have permanently closed the following visa subclasses in the Family Stream of the Migration Programme to new applications: Parent visa (subclass 103) Aged Parent visa (subclass 804) Aged Dependent Relative visa (subclasses 114 and 838) Remaining Relative visa (subclasses 115 and 835) Carer visa (subclasses 116 and 836).
Labour Market Testing for the 457 program November 2013
Labour Market Testing (LMT) will be introduced to the subclass 457 visa program from the 23rd of November 2013.
Standard business sponsors will be required to test the local labour market prior to lodging a nomination application. They will need to provide information with their nomination about attempts to recruit Australian workers and how they have determined on the basis of these attempts that there is no suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible temporary visa holder available to fill the position.
DIAC Increases lodgement fees September 2013
On the 1st of July, 2013 the Immigration Department introduced a new lodgement fee system which saw the introduction of a visa application charge per applicant included in a visa application. Significant fee increases where also introduced to a number of visa subclass at this time.
On the 1st of September 2013, the Immigration Department again increased the Visa Application Charge (VAC) with a 15% increase across most visa subclasses.
Changes to the Subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) Visa Program June 2013
From the 1st of July 2013 a number of changes to the Temporary Worker Program will be introduced. Some of the major changes will include:
· An increase to the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT); · Introduction of mandatory Skills Assessments for some occupations; · Removal of English language exemptions for most occupation.
Andre Burger & Associates is moving office May 2013
From the 1st of June 2013 we will be located at our new Australian head office.
The new office is still on Cumberland Street (between Essex & Grosvenor Streets), down the road from our current office.
The physical address is C7/200 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, 2000. Our phone, fax, postal address (PO Box) and all other details remain the same.
Changes to the General Skilled Migration Visas from 1 January 2013 January 2013
The department is no longer accepting any new applications for Skilled – Sponsored Visa (Subclass 886), Skilled – Independent Visa (Subclass 885) and Skilled – Regional Sponsored Visa (Subclass 487).
Post-Study Work Arrangements for International Students December 2012
New post-study work arrangements are to be introduced in early 2013. These arrangements will operate as a new Post-Study Work stream of the existing Temporary Skilled Graduate (subclass 485) visa. Graduates of an Australian Bachelor degree, Masters degree, Doctoral degree will have access to the new post-study work arrangements, provided they meet the other eligibility requirements of this visa.
New Significant investor Visa introduced November 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship released further details of the new Significant Investor Visa. Applicants for this visa will be required to make a complying investment in the amount of $5,000,000 to qualify. There is no upper age limit for this visa. Please contact our office for further details.
Changes to 4 series temporary Visas November 2012
From the 24th of November many 4 series visas (including 406, 411 & 415) have been removed while others have been introduced or amended (including 401, 402, 403 & 457). Contact our office for further details.
Processing delays for Partner Visas October 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has released a statement that due to strong demand, subclass 820 (partner) visas are experiencing increased processing times of around 13 months. Applications involving family violence, and those which are 'assessment ready' at lodgement may be decided more quickly.
Technical issues continue to affect new electronic ENS and RSMS September 2012
On the 1st of July the Department of Immigration and Citizenship released a new electronic system for the lodgement of subclass 186 and 187 nomination and visa applications. This new system continues to be problematic with users experiencing regular system crashes, issues attaching documents and lengthy delays. Of great concern is the fact that the new system is now automatically issuing bridging visas causing some applicants to become unlawful.
Occupation Ceiling under EOI announced July 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has released details of the Occupation ceiling which limits how many EOIs are selected for skilled migration from any occupation group. When this limit or “ceiling” is reached, no further invitations for that particular occupation group will be issued for that program year. This has been adopted to ensures that the skilled migration program is not dominated by a small number of occupations.
New Combined SOL to be introduced June 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has announced that to coincide with the extensive changes being introduced from the 1st of July 2012, they will introduce a new Skilled Occupation List known as the Combined Skilled Occupation List or CSOL. This new list will be relevant to a number of different visa classes including, Temporary Business (457), Employer Nomination and State Sponsored.
SkillSelect imminent
The new SkillSelect system for Skilled Migration will begin on the 1st of July 2012. Under this new system, applicants will first need to lodge an Expression of Interest (EOI) with the Department of Immigration. The information provided with the Expression of Interest will be used to determine if the applicant will be invited to lodge a visa application.
Permanent Employer Sponsored visas
The much anticipated changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) will be introduced on the 1st of July 2012. From this date new visa subclasses will replace the outgoing 856, 857, 121 and 119 visa subclasses. Under the new system there will be a more streamlined process for subclass 457 visa holders to convert to Permanent Residency. The new system will also see changes to requirements such as English Language, Salary, Exceptional Circumstances, Staff training, etc.
DIAC SkillSelect website goes live January2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has launched the SkillSelect website outlining preliminary details about the new Expression of Interest (EOI) system to be introduced in July 2012.
Regional classification for Perth September 2011
Perth has been added to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), from 12 September 2011. As such Perth has been classified as regional for the following migration programs:
· Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 119 & 857) · Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) (Subclass 475) · Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) (Subclass 487) · Skilled Regional (permanent) (Subclass 887).
The inclusion of Perth in the Regional program has also seen changes to the Regional Certifying Body network. .Permanent employer sponsored visas review August 2011
The department is undergoing a review of the permanent employer sponsored visa program and has released a review discussion paper. The discussion paper is designed to facilitate public consultation for the employer sponsored visas review, which the department is conducting.
Changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme July 2011
From 1 July 2011 a number of minor changes were be introduced to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). The changes included the removal of some occupations and the addition of others as well as an increase to the Minimim Salary for the program.
New Points Test details released June 2011
The Immigration Department has released more specific details about the new points test to be introduced from the 1st of July 2011. The main difference from the basic details released last year regards points allocation for Employment Experience.
Transitional arrangements will continue to apply to certain international students and former international students where the current points system may still apply. And old MODL.
New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) June 2011
An amended Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will become effective on the 1st of July 2011. The new list will see 13 new occupations added including; Hospital and Retail Pharmacist, Solicitor, Fitter and Ship Wright. 4 occupations have been removed which are; Optometrist, Orthoptist, Panel Beater and Vehicle Painter.
Skilled Migrant Selection Model proposed for 2012 May 2011
The Immigration Department has released details about a proposed new system for Skilled Migration to be introduced in July 2012. The new system will involve applicants lodging an expression of interest (EOI) with the Immigration Department. Applicants will still need to meet the visa criteria to lodge an EOI and will require Sills Assessments and English results before applying. The EOI is not a visa application! After the EOI is lodged, applicants can only proceed to lodging a visa application, if they receive an “invitation” to by the Immigration Department.
Changes to Eligible subclass 457 Occupation List February 2011
Changes to the list of Eligible Occupation under the Subclass 457 visa program were introduced in February 2011. Seven occupations have bee removed from the list while four have been added. There have also been slight changes to the English language exemptions for some occupations .
New Skilled Occupations List and ENS Occupation List December 2010
17 new occupations have been added to the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupations List including Fitter and Turner, Network Administrator and Web Designer.
The main change to the Skilled Occupation List is that TRA is now the only Assessing Authority listed for trade occupations.
New Points Test for General Skilled Migration November 2010
The Immigration Department has announced details of a new points test system to be implemented by the 1st of July 2011. This will be a totally new system with no points allocated for the occupation nominated. Some of the major changes include:
· Increased maximum age to 49 years; · More points for high level English language competency; · More points for high level qualifications such as PhD; · More points for long employment experience in the nominated occupation.
See here for more details.
State Migration Plans (SMP) November 2010
After a long wait the much anticipated State Migration Plans have started to be released. Victoria was the first with their SMP going live on the 3rd of November with ACT going live from the 8th of November. The Northern Territory has followed with their SMP released on the 17th of November. Other states to follow.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, has said that “State Migration Plans will help to support the Australian economy by attracting skilled migrants who can positively contribute to our workforce”.
Document Ready Checklists (DRC) 03 October 2010
Some processing areas of the Immigration Department have adopted Decision Ready Checklists to streamline their assessment process and give priority to applications which are decision ready.
Currently Decision Ready Checklist priority processing is available to some on shore General Skilled Migration applications processed by the Brisbane Processing centre, as well as Employer Nomination (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration (RSMS) applications.
Speak to our staff to enquire if the Decision Ready Checklist can speed up the processing of your application.
Priority Processing Arrangements 19 July 2010
New priority processing arrangements have been announced which took effect from 14 July 2010. Under the latest changes:
1. ENS and RSMS will continue to receive the top priority; 2. The yet to be introduced State Migration Plans; 3. Applications nominating an occupation on the new SOL; 4. All other applications in order of lodgment.
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