Changes to Specified Work for Working Holiday Visa

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There will be changes to specified work for working holiday visa holders. These changes come into effect this year, and impact visa subclasses 417 and 462. You can learn more about Australia’s working holiday visa on our dedicated webpage.

Specified work for Working Holiday Visa

In order to qualify for a second and third year working holiday visa, applicants must complete specified work in regional Australia. To be eligible for a second year, you must have carried out at least 3 months of specified work. To be eligible for a third year, you must have carried out at least 6 months of specified work on or after 1 July 2019.

Currently, specified work includes the following industries:

  • tourism and hospitality in northern or remote and very remote Australia, from 22 June 2021
  • plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia
  • fishing and pearling in regional Australia
  • tree farming and felling in regional Australia
  • mining in regional Australia
  • construction in regional Australia
  • bushfire recovery work in declared bushfire affected areas only, after 31 July 2019
  • critical COVID-19 work in the healthcare and medical sectors anywhere in Australia, after 31 January 2020

Reference: Department of Home Affairs on 21/04/2022

Regional Australia can be determined by postcodes listed on the Department website.

Changes to Specified Work for Working Holiday Visa

Plant and animal cultivation in regional Australia is a popular choice for working holiday makers

Changes to specified work for Working Holiday Visa

The type and locations of specified work for working holiday makers is changing. From 1 July 2022, more areas of Australia will be classified as regional. Moreover, new job roles will be included as specified work.

These changes include:

  • add flood recovery work and areas for this work as specified work for these visas
  • update bushfire recovery work details to include voluntary work
  • increase the areas in which tourism and hospitality work must be carried out

If you would like to learn more, you can read the Migration Amendment Instrument.

You can complete our free online assessment to see if you qualify for a working holiday visa. Alternatively, you may wish to learn about Australia’s skilled visa pathways. These are suitable for those wishing to live and work in Australia on a more permanent basis. Moreover, you may choose this pathway if you’ve already used your working holiday visa or do not qualify. In most instances you can include family members in a skilled visa application.

Changes to Specified Work for Working Holiday Visa

Working holiday visas provide an affordable route for young people to live and work in Australia

Complete our free online assessment to see if you qualify for a working holiday visa

Learn more about Visa Go Australia’s team of professionals

Emigrate to Australia as a Motor Mechanic

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If you want to emigrate to Australia as a motor mechanic, now may be the perfect time! There are skilled visa pathways for motor mechanics in several Australian states. Below, we explain the skilled visa process for motor mechanics.

Skills Assessment for Motor Mechanics

To emigrate to Australia as a motor mechanic, you must first have your skills assessed. All skilled visa applicants must have their skills assessed to ensure they match Australian standards. Motor mechanics migrating to Australia complete their skills assessment through VETASSESS.

The assessment consists of two parts: a document review and a technical interview. For in-depth detail visit our dedicated webpage. Moreover, you can download the VETASSESS Factsheet and learn more about the job description on ANZSCO.

EOI for Motor Mechanics

Following a positive skills assessment, applicants need to lodge an EOI (Expression of Interest). This is an online form which registers your interest in migrating to Australia.

In an EOI, applicants select which visa subclass and state they wish to apply to. The visa category you apply under will be determined by you points score and available sponsoring states.

The more points the better, which is why we recommend completing an English Language test to increase your overall points. You can calculate your points score using our free assessment.

Some states require an ROI (Registration of Interest), which is separate from the EOI. Submitting an EOI and ROI does not guarantee an invitation to apply for a skilled visa. Seeking advice from an experienced Migration Agent can increase your chances of a successful application. We offer visa consultations for just £60.

State Sponsorship for Motor Mechanics

Motor mechanic is on the MLTSSL. This means applicants can apply independently (subclass 189) or via state sponsorship (subclasses 190 and 491). Some applicants may also be eligible for family sponsorship under subclass 491.

In our experience, most applicants will require state or family sponsorship to obtain enough points. Subclasses 189 and 190 are permanent residency visas, whereas the 491 is a temporary visa with a pathway to permanent residency. You can learn more on our dedicated skilled visa page, or by completing our free online visa assessment.

Each state will have their own set of requirements, so it’s important to check these before applying. At the time of writing this article, offshore motor mechanics may be eligible to apply to New South Wales and South Australia. You can check State Government websites for full details or book a consultation with our Migration Agent.

Hairdresser

Emigrate to Australia as a Hairdresser

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If you are interested in migrating to Australia as a Hairdresser, now may be the perfect time! There are skilled visa pathways for Hairdressers in several Australian states. Below, we explain the skilled visa process for hairdressers.

Skills Assessment for Hairdressers

Hairdressers migrating to Australia are required to complete a skills assessment through VETASSESS. VETASSESS are the only Trades Recognition Australia-approved registered training organisation to conduct skills assessments for hairdressing. The assessment is completed in two parts: a document review, followed by a technical interview. You can learn more about the skills assessment on our dedicated webpage. Moreover, you can download the VETASSESS Factsheet for hairdressing.

Hairdresser

EOI for Hairdressers

Following a positive skills assessment, applicants need to lodge an EOI (Expression of Interest). This is an online application which registers your interest in migrating to Australia. This is when you select which visa subclass and state you wish to apply to. Some states require a registration of interest in addition to the EOI.

The visa category you apply under will be determined by your points score and the available sponsoring states. The more points the better, which is why we recommend completing an English Language test to increase your overall points score.

State Sponsorship for Hairdressers

As Hairdresser is on the STSOL, applicants will require state sponsorship under the 190 or 491 visa subclasses. The 190 visa is a permanent residency visa, whereas the 491 is a temporary visa with a pathway to permanent residency. You can learn more on our dedicate skilled visa webpage, or by completing our free online visa assessment.

Each state will have their own set of requirements, so it is important to check you meet these before applying. You can check state Government website for full details.

Emigrate to NSW as a Hairdresser

New South Wales is currently open to offshore applicants (anyone residing outside Australia). You can read the full requirements on the NSW Occupation List.

At Visa Go Australia we’ve had multiple hairdressers successfully receive invitations for New South Wales. The invitations were under the 190 visa, which means these clients will receive Australian permanent residency when their visas are granted and they enter Australia. State sponsorship options are limited for Hairdressers, so the competition is fierce. If you are interested in emigrating to NSW, then now is a great time to apply.

Arrange a visa consultation today

NSW offering offshore State Sponsorship

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NSW Offshore State Sponsorship

In December 2021, New South Wales opened to offshore applicants (people living outside Australia). This caused much excitement, as offshore applicants have had limited options for skilled visas over recent years. Moreover, NSW is a popular destination for migrants due to its booming economy.

Learn more about the New South Wales lifestyle

Meeting NSW Offshore State Sponsorship requirements

The basic criterion for NSW Offshore State Sponsorship is that the main applicant must hold a valid skills assessment. This skills assessment must be in an occupation that is within an ANZSCO unit group identified on the NSW Occupation List. In addition, the applicant must have lived outside Australia (offshore) for the last 3 months.

Some occupations require a minimum of 3 years work experience for both the 190 and 491 visa subclasses. This includes most trade occupations, and a variety of ICT and hospitality occupations. You can find the full details on the NSW GOV website.  Alternatively, you can book a consultation with our migration agent to discuss this in detail.

Is NSW Offshore State Sponsorship achievable?

Yes – at Visa Go Australia our clients have had great success! We have received NSW invitations for a good number of our clients, all under the subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visa. This is a permanent residency visa with full work and study rights.

Our invitations include occupations such as Social Worker, Secondary School Teacher, Hairdresser, Plumber, Electrician and Fitter.

Once invited to apply to NSW, applicants have 14 days to lodge and make payment of $300 AUD. If approved, you have 60 days to lodge a skilled visa with the Department of Home Affairs. We have had clients go through this whole process and lodge their skilled visa in as little as 1 week.

Our migration agent Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 comments, “It’s exciting to see movement for our skilled visa clients again. During the last 2 years of the Covid pandemic, offshore applicants have had extremely limited options. I encourage my clients to apply for state sponsorship opportunities which arise, as quotas are filled quickly and are not guaranteed to be offered again”.

Australia has limited quotas for migrants, and the demand far exceeds the available spaces. The skilled visa program continues to be competitive, and many states have increased their requirements over the years. Darren explains, “Securing an invitation to apply for state sponsorship and a skilled visa is a privilege. I encourage my clients to be flexible regarding their chosen Australia state, as often their preferred state does not offer sponsorship for their occupation. The risk of waiting for your state to sponsor your occupation, is that it may never happen and/or your skills assessment and EOI expire. There are large financial risks in being selective over your chosen Australian destination.”

Do I need to live in my sponsoring state?

Yes. New South Wales has nominated you because your skills are needed in their economy. In applying for sponsorship, applicants are committed to live and work in NSW for at least the first two years of their visa. NSW will contact migrants periodically with surveys to understand their experience in emigrating.

If you wish to discuss skilled migration and your state options, you can complete our free online visa assessment. Alternatively, speak directly with our migration agent by booking a consultation.

Is 75 points enough for 189 visa?

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Australia’s skilled visas are based on a points system, hence the common question, “Is 75 points enough for a 189 visa?” Applicants are awarded points for age, qualification, work experience and more. The minimum points required to apply is 65. However, the more points the better chance of securing an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.

Learn about the skilled visa

EOI and points

An EOI (Expression of Interest) is an online application via Skillselect which registers your interest in migrating to Australia. Each EOI will generate a point score. Skillselect and State Governments issue invitations based on points scores. Other considerations include occupation ceilings and specific criteria set by each State. Generally, an EOI with high points has more opportunity of being invited to apply for a skilled visa.

Moreover, applicants can lodge an EOI with 65 points or more. You can calculate your points by using our free calculator.

Once an EOI is lodged it is subject to invitation rounds for 2 years. If no invitation is issued within this period, the EOI expires. Lodging an EOI is no guarantee of securing a skilled visa. You can learn more about the skilled visa process on our website.

Learn more about the Expression of Interest

Is 75 points enough for 189 visa?

Australia’s Skilled independent visa (subclass 189) is highly sought after. No State Sponsorship is required, and it grants the visa holder permanent residency.

The number of people who lodge an EOI for a 189 visa far exceeds the number of places available, making it fiercely competitive. Therefore the more points the better your chances of securing an invitation to apply for a 189 visa. You cannot apply for a skilled visa without an invitation.

Seek professional advice from our migration agent

More recently, meeting the minimum points is not enough for most applicants to secure an invitation. The small exception to this rule is PMSOL applicants. The PMSOL was introduced during the covid pandemic, when we saw some medical professionals invited to apply on just 65 points. You can learn more about this on our blog post.

Take your career to Australia

Migration Agent Darren Chatt explains, “I receive regular enquiries from applicants who have lodged an EOI and have waited 12 months and more for an invitation. They are often surprised when I explain to them that 65 points has not been enough for years. I then offer advice and insight into how applicants can increase their points, and the benefits of considering State Sponsorship under subclasses 190 and 491. Using a professional migration agent such can save people time and money. At Visa Go Australia we are lodging applications on a weekly basis. Consequently, we see patterns and requirements for securing an invitation to apply for a skilled visa.”

Book a visa consultation with a migration agent

Further advice

With 65 points being the minimum criteria, is 75 an exceptional score? Darren states that 75 points is unlikely to be considered a high enough score to obtain a 189 visa invitation. However, this may be enough to secure a State Sponsored visa (subclass 190 and 491). Therefore a good place to start is to seek professional advice from a MARA Registered Migration Agent. We offer visa consultations with agent Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 for just £60.

You can learn more about our professional team here: https://visa-go.com/about-us/

Skilled Visa Update – VETASSESS Price Increase

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VETASSESS Professional Occupation Skills Assessment Price Increase 

From 1 March 2022, some of VETASSESS’ services will increase in price. This is in line with rises in the Consumer Price Index.

VETASSESS is Australia’s largest skills assessing authority for migration purposes. They assess more than 350 professional occupations and 28 trade occupations.

See if you qualify for a skilled visa

You can find the new prices in VETASSESS’ latest newsletter. The new prices will be published on their website later in the month.

Book a visa consultation with our Migration Agent

Teaching in Australia

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Is now a good time to take your teaching career to Australia? As Australia reopens its borders and introduces visa incentives, now could be the perfect time to teach in Australia. Below, we outline some key considerations when making the move to teach in Australia.

A visa to teach in Australia

To enter Australia, you will need an appropriate visa. Below, we outline the main visa types available to those wishing to live and work Down Under.

Australian Working Holiday

A popular option due to the low cost and fast processing times, the working holiday visa allows you to live and work in Australia for up to 3 years. From 19 January 2022, visa holders can work for the same employer for more than 6 months, without requesting permission.

You must be aged between 18-35 at the time of application, and be an eligible passport holder. Full details and a free visa assessment can be found on our website.

See if you qualify for a Working Holiday visa

Working Holiday VisaOver the next 12 weeks, the Australian government will provide a visa fee rebate for WHM (Working Holiday Makers). WHM who travel to Australia and arrive between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be refunded the visa fee ($495) for WHM visa application. The refund applies to both current offshore visa holders and new applicants who arrive within that period.

Skilled Migration

A skilled visa (subclass 189, 190 and 491) is suitable for those wanting to live in Australia permanently. This visa takes around 12 months to process, considering the different processes involved, and will cost around £3000. Depending on the subclass applied for, you will become a permanent resident of Australia or have a viable pathway to do so. You must be under the age of 45 at the time of invitation to apply for a skilled visa. You do not require an Australian job offer for this visa type.

Seek advice from a migration agent via our free skilled visa assessment.

Australian Skilled Visa

Employer Sponsorship

Some Australian employers may be willing to offer you a job and sponsorship. An employer sponsored visa allows you to temporarily live in Australia whilst working for your nominated employer. You must first find an employer to sponsor you before applying for the visa.

Contact our partners ANZUK Education to source Australian teaching opportunities

Additional pathways could include a partner visa or student visa. You can learn more about these options on our website. For most Australian visas, applicants must not have any substantial medical or criminal issues.

The Government recently announced a temporary relaxation of working hours for student visas. This allows students to work more than 20 hours per week.

Teaching opportunities in Australia

Once your visa is granted you can turn your attention to securing a teaching job. If you are on a working holiday visa throughout 2022, you will have the usual option of doing casual relief teaching (supply/subbing/temp) or looking into securing a contract role.  

Contact our partners ANZUK Education to source Australian teaching opportunities

For those on long term visas, the options are open. It can be a great idea to try some early childhood services or schools out first through casual work. However you may prefer to get straight into a role and have full ownership over the class/es you teach. The teaching opportunities in Australia are plentiful, and seeking advice from a recruiter such as ANZUK Education can be helpful.

Try teaching in Australia today

Camille at ANZUK Education agrees that now is a great time to teach in Australia!

 

“Over the past couple of years we have seen an increased demand for teaching professionals in Australia. This includes casual teachers and teachers in contract and ongoing roles across Australia. We work with early childhood services and schools throughout the East Coast of Australia in metropolitan and regional areas. If you are looking for a change, now is the time to pack your suitcase and start your Aussie adventure.” Camille at ANZUK Education

You find out more at: https://anzuk.education/ 

Secondly, you can check our latest events – including specific webinars for teachers – on our website.

Seek professional visa advice from our Migration Agent Darren Chatt.

 

AUD/GBP currency update

AUD/GBP Currency update

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An AUD/GBP currency update from our Foreign Exchange Partner Halo Financial.

GBP/AUD – AUD/GBP:

The GBP/AUD exchange rate has pushed through $1.91 and heading towards $1.92 at the time of writing. This is the first time it has hit this level for almost 21 months!

If you are moving to Australia, you may want to consider taking advantage of this rate now.

Our partners Halo Financial can provide guidance and insights on GBP against AUD.

Alternatively, you can register with Halo to keep up to date with GBP/AUD or other worldwide exchange rates.

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7350 5470 or complete their online form for a free quote.

AUD/GBP currency update

AUD/GBP currency update from our Partner Halo Financial

 

Australia needs skilled workers – Get your free visa!

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Australia has long relied on skilled worker to fill jobs and support their economy. In the wake of the pandemic the stats are clear – Australia needs skilled workers.

Australia needs skilled workers

As a result of the Covid pandemic, Australia faces massive labour shortages. The mass exodus of temporary visa holders and closed borders has created skill shortages across the country.

Australia shed nearly 600,000 temporary visa holders in 2020, many of whom were skilled workers.

Australia’s hospitality and tourism industries have continued to express concern about their hiring struggles during the Covid pandemic. Public-facing businesses rely on casual workers, many of whom are temporary visa holders. Without students and backpackers, Australian businesses and economic growth stagnates.

Encouraging skilled workers back to Australia

Australia has locked out international students and backpackers since March 2020 – nearly two years! Fortunately, Australia reopened to some skilled temporary visa holders on 15 December 2021. This included working holiday makers, regional skilled visa holders and students.

See if you qualify for a working holiday visa

It is anticipated that reopening the borders to selected skilled visa holders will fill job vacancies.

Free Australian visas

Australia’s Government has changed its message this week, with Scott Morrison announcing free visas for students and working holiday makers. Moreover, student visa holders can now work more than 20 hours per week.

Starting today, student visa fees will be waived for the next 8 weeks. Working holiday visa fees will also be scrapped for the next 12 weeks. This is a massive investment in Australia’s tourism and skilled labour force; a huge gesture to welcome back migrants. You can learn more about applying for a visa application fee rebate on the Department website.

There are currently 23, 5000 working holiday visa holders who are yet to go to Australia.

Mr Morrison is hopeful this will encourage people to “…join our workforce and help us in our agricultural sector, in our hospitality sector, and so many of the other parts of the economy that rely on that labour”.

It is worth noting that regional work requirements remain for working holiday visa holders.

If you require assistance with an application, you can complete our free online assessment.

Read the full press conference now

Australia needs skilled workers

Working Holiday Visa

Australian Travel Update – Border restrictions ease

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The Government has announced an important Australian travel update.

Australian Travel Update

From 15 December 2021, Australia will open its borders to a number of fully vaccinated travellers.

Since March 2020, Australia has enforced some of the world’s tightest border controls, including on its own citizens. Previously, only Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family members were allowed to enter Australia under covid restrictions. This exciting travel update opens Australia’s borders to a number of eligible visa holders.

Who can enter Australia?

Eligible visa holders include a variety of temporary and provisional visa holders. This includes students, working holiday makers and regional skilled visas holders. A complete list of eligible visa holders can be viewed on the Government website.

Australian Travel Update

Travellers are encouraged to read over covid requirements closely before arranging travel. Vaccine and covid test requirements are detailed on the Government website. Moreover, strict quarantine requirements still exist in some states. State and Territory information can be found here.

Are tourists included in this update?

Visitor visas (651, 601, and 600) are not included in this Australian travel update. Therefore, potential tourists are still required to apply for, and be granted, a travel exemption. The Department’s website details who may be granted a travel exemption upon application.

If you require advice you can complete our Visa Assessment, and we will send you some free and personalised information.

We also offer visa consultations with an experienced Migration Agent for just £60.

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Visa Go Australia
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Visa Go Australia

It's a busy time in our offices as states reopen their sponsorship programs (visa subclasses 190 and 491). If you're a client, please regularly check your emails for updates. New blogs and social content coming soon! ... See MoreSee Less

Its a busy time in our offices as states reopen their sponsorship programs (visa subclasses 190 and 491). If youre a client, please regularly check your emails for updates. New blogs and social content coming soon!
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