Sheet Metal Worker

Australian Skilled Visas – State Nominations Reopen

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If you are applying for a skilled visa this will be much welcomed news – Australia’s state nominations are reopening!

States and Territories have received a very small number of allocations under the 491/190 visa programmes. These allocations will cover the period until the Federal Budget is released on 6 October 2020.

State Nominations Reopen

The 491/190 state nominations are currently limited to those occupations providing critical skills. The Department determine critical skills as those required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services to Australia. This also includes those supporting the delivery of services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery.

Australia’s critical skill sectors

Critical skills include those:

  • Providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
  • With critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services (such as in medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, agricultural technology, food production, and the maritime industry)
  • Delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film and television production and emerging technology), where no Australian worker is available

Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/critical-skills-and-sectors

When to apply

Applications are expected to open at the end of August 2020. You can monitor our website for details or check State Government and Territory websites.

Spaces will be extremely competitive, as those applying will far outweigh the number of spaces available. Moreover, we anticipate that onshore applicants will be given priority as strict travel bans and international flight caps remain in place.

We recommend moving forward with your skills assessment and English test in preparation for states reopening. You can also draft your EOI and collect all relevant documents to ensure you are ‘application-ready’.

If you wish to discuss your visa options you can book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agent.

Couple on beach holding hands

Australian Partner Visa Processing Times

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The partner visa category accounts for around 25% of Australia’s migration program, making it the largest category in the family stream. As with many visa types, partner visa processing times have continued to increase year-on-year.

Current Processing Times

The Department of Home Affairs publishes visa processing times on their website, updating it monthly to reflect any changes. This provides applicants with an indicative timeframe of how long their visa will take to process.

The latest partner visa processing times (from visa lodgement) are:

  • Onshore Partner Visa (subclass 820) – 19-24 months
  • Offshore Partner Visa (subclass 309) – 16-22 months

These figures are only an estimate and there are occasions when visas can take much longer (or shorter!) to process. Consequently, we always advise our clients do not make any irreversible decisions until their visas have been granted. This includes purchasing travel tickets, selling houses and leaving jobs.

Why processing times are increasing

The demand exceeds the available places for partner visas in the annual migration program, thus creating a backlog of applications and longer processing times. You can read further details in our recent news item.

Time clock

   Partner visa processing times have increased

Travelling to Australia before visa grant

As an immediate family member of an Australian Citizen or Permanent Resident, you are currently permitted to enter Australia.

The non-Australian will need to apply for a Visitor Visa (subclass 600) and provide evidence of their relationship to the Australian (for example marriage certificate).

The Department of Home Affairs is experiencing high levels of demand for exemptions and there is no guarantee of either the timing of a decision or the outcome. You should make your application at least four weeks but not more than three months in advance of travel and provide full supporting documentation. We highly recommend you have the visa and exemption in place before making travel arrangements.

Please note that all travellers arriving in Australia must undertake a mandatory 14-day quarantine at designated facilities (for example, a hotel), in their port of arrival. Most states have started charging for this, with costs starting  at $2,500.00 AU.

For information on the exemption categories, application form and documentation required, see the Department of Home Affairs website.

See if you qualify for a Partner Visa by completing our free online assessment.

Australia covid

How to choose a Migration Agent in the UK

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Migration Agents in the UK

Are you searching for a Migration Agent to process your Australian visa? You are in luck – there are a few respected and experienced Migration Agents in the UK who offer a variety of visa services.

A good Migration Agent will identify the best visa pathway available for you, using their extensive knowledge of current migration law. As part of their MARA licensing, agents must undergo continuous learning to renew their license each year. You can read more about the benefits of using a Migration Agent and the professional requirements on the MARA website.

Remember – anyone can offer migration advice outside of Australia, meaning you may not be speaking with a Migration Agent. It is an expensive and timely process to emigrate to Australia, so ensure you speak to a professional and licensed Migration Agent.

Choosing a Migration Agent

Below, we outline some of the key considerations when choosing a Migration Agent in the UK to process your Australian visa.

  • Ask for a detailed quote

Contact reputable Migration Agents and ask for a detailed quote in writing. This will outline the full cost of your visa and detail the level of service you will receive. It is important to remember that the cheapest service may not always be the best.

  • Speak to a licensed Migration Agent

Some companies offer visa consultations with a licensed Migration Agent. This is a fantastic option if you want reliable and honest advice about your chances of securing a visa, before you spend money starting the process.

At Visa Go Australia, a consultation with our licensed Migration Agent Darren Chatt costs just £60.

When you liaise with a company there are a few things to keep in mind:

  • Are you speaking with a salesperson or a Migration Agent?
  • Is the company’s Migration Agent based in the same office, or even in the same country?
  • What is the Migration Agent’s MARA registration number?

Why choose Migration Agent Darren Chatt at Visa Go Australia

Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 has helped thousands of people migrate to Australia, and is highly regarded in the Australian migration industry. Darren has been a member of MARA and the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) since 2002, a board member of the European Chapter of MIA, and is also a Registered Migration Agent for New Zealand.

When you use Visa Go Australia to process your visa, you can be assured that Darren is fully involved with your application, at every step, and works closely with his team to secure the best outcomes.

Discover 5 simple tips on how to choose a Migration Agent

Arrange a visa consultation with Darren today

Travel exemption

Seeking Immigration Advice from Unlicensed Advisors

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The IAA and Immigration Advice

The Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA) is an independent body, created to protect the interests of applicants receiving New Zealand immigration advice. This includes advising which visa an applicant is eligible for, or assisting someone in applying for a visa.

Anyone giving immigration advice must hold a current licence, unless they are one of the small number of exempt people such as Citizens Advice Bureaux staff. Providing New Zealand visa advice without a license is unlawful, and will have serious consequences for the applicant and the advisor.

The IAA and Unlicensed Advisors

“The IAA investigates complaints about unlicensed immigration advice, and individuals found breaking the law can face up to seven years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $100,000… It is compulsory for anyone, anywhere in the world, giving immigration advice about New Zealand to be licensed, unless they fall into one of the exempt categories outlined in the Immigration Advisers Licensing Act 2007.” (IAA, 2020)

A recent news story detailed how one businessman has been punished for providing immigration advice without being licensed or exempt. The man promoted New Zealand as a migrant destination and provided immigration advice to seminar attendees. Moreover, he was dishonest about the number of clients he had helped secure visas. Consequently, the businessman was sentenced to six months community detention, 12 months supervision and ordered to pay $5600 reparation to his victims. You can read the full story on the IAA website.

The Dangers of Using an Unlicensed Advisor

For the applicant, seeking visa advice from an unlicensed individual can have dire results too. Lodging a visa on incorrect advice can forfeit your application fee. Moreover, it may negatively affect future applications and travel to New Zealand.

The emigration process involves investing a lot of time, money and emotional efforts. Most applicants spend at least 12 months securing their visa application, so understandably it would be devastating to be subject to fraudulent activity!

 

NZ Licensed

You can feel confident in knowing that our primary agent Darren Chatt is registered for both Australia and New Zealand to provide immigration advice.

You can see a complete list of licensed New Zealand agents here: https://iaa.ewr.govt.nz/PublicRegister/Search.aspx

MARA logo

Look over registered Australian Migration Agents here: https://www.mara.gov.au/

Working Holiday Visa

Can I apply for an Australian Working Holiday Visa during COVID?

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The Australian Working Holiday Visa

As lockdown restrictions slowly begin to ease, many people are looking towards future travel plans. The Australian Working Holiday Visa (subclass 417) is a popular choice for those wishing to spend a year working and travelling around Australia. This visa costs $485.00 AUD and is generally processed within one month, making it accessible to many.

The basic eligibility requirements are:

  • Must be 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) – except for Canadian, French and Irish citizens up to 35 (inclusive)
  • You must have a passport from an eligible country or jurisdiction
  • Must not be accompanied by dependent children

When can I apply?

You can apply for the 417 visa online by creating an ImmiAccount. This visa is valid for 12 months, meaning you have this period to enter Australia and activate your visa.

Due to the COVID pandemic, Australia’s borders remain closed to most people – including 417 visa holders. So, while you can still apply for this visa, you will be unable to use it in the immediate future.

Moreover, the Department of Home Affairs (Immigration) are prioritising the processing of visa applications for travellers who are exempt from travel restrictions. This is to assist those who need urgent travel to Australia, such as returning Australian permanent residents or immediate family members of Australian citizens. You can read the full and current details on the Department’s COVID-dedicated website. As a result, we expect the processing time for Australian Working Holiday Visas to increase substantially.

I already have this visa – what can I do?

If you currently hold a 417 visa but have not yet activated it, it will be valid for 12 months from the date of grant. The visa expiry date will be explicitly stated on your visa grant letter, which you can access via your ImmiAccount.

If you cannot enter Australia before your 417 visa expires, you will have to apply for a new visa and pay the lodgement fee once more. To re-apply you must still be eligible for the 417 visa, for example still meet the age criterion and have available funds to support you.

The future of the 417 visa

Working holiday makers are an important part of Australia’s economy, filling job shortages and supporting the tourism industry. Once COVID eases and travel restrictions lift, we anticipate that Australia will once more encourage working holiday makers to return.

Read more about how COVID-19 is impacting Australian visa applications

Speak to a Licensed Migration Agent for professional visa advice

Engineer

Engineers Australia Competency Demonstration Report

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Introducing Engineers Australia

Engineers Australia (EA) is Australia’s largest engineering body, representing around 100,000 engineers and conducting migration skills assessments for several professions.

EA assess over 30 occupations for skills assessments – popular occupations include:

  • Civil Engineer
  • Engineering Technologist
  • Telecommunications Engineer
  • Electrical Engineer
  • And more…

Migration Skills Assessment for Engineers

Assessments are split into two primary pathways:

  1. Holding a recognised qualification (generally a Bachelor of Engineering Degree)
    OR:
  2. Completing a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR)

It is the applicant’s responsibility to identify the correct pathway for their qualifications; Engineers Australia does not provide any preassessment services. If you require assistance you can arrange a consultation with a licensed migration agent, who will identify your assessment pathway and visa options.

Completing a Competency Demonstration Report

Surfer riding waves in Australia

If your qualification is not recognised under one of the accredited accords, you may still be eligible if you can provide a Competency Demonstration Report (CDR).

The CDR assessment is based primarily upon the undergraduate qualification and demonstrated graduate competencies. This consists of evidencing your skilled employment and preparing ‘career episodes’, which are an account of your engineering education and/or work experience. A vast amount of time and effort required to produce a CDR, and all the work must be original and produced by the applicant.

It is unacceptable to have another party complete a CDR on your behalf. All work submitted must be your own, and Engineers Australia have various methods to detect breaches such as plagiarism detection software and investigations. Using a company to produce your CDR jeopardises your skills assessment and chances of migrating to Australia.

Exam

We recently discovered a company promoting CDR services “100% plagiarism free” on social media, so we sent the details to Engineers Australia. Their assessment team provided the below response:

“Engineers Australia has always been very serious and trying our best to fight against such unethical behaviours. Besides serious warning on the consequences of using such service, we have been applying plagiarism detection software as well as our own research, investigation and analysis processes to catch such cases.”

You can read more about the skills assessment for Engineers on our website here

You can calculate your skilled visa points here.

Australia covid

Taking your career to Australia in 2020

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Transitioning your Job to Australia

As COVID-19 continues to impact global movement, preparing for your move to Australia can feel a bit daunting. So, together with Hays Globalink, we bring you some practical tips on how to transition your career to Australia and move forward with your relocation plans.

Upskill with Hays Thrive

Hays Thrive is a new online training platform and available completely free to all organisations.  These engaging online courses and training sessions comprise of videos, quizzes and assessments. Find ways in which to prioritise your wellbeing, practice remote professional excellence and learn vital health and safety tips around COVID-19.

Not only are these courses perfect for honing your home-working practice, the skills you learn will help you prepare for future jobs and increase your working skillset.

Speak to a Specialist Recruiter

Hays Globalink is a dedicated team of Recruitment Specialists who are available to support you with your career transition to Australia. Based in London, they can assist professionals who have experience in the following sectors:

  • Accountancy & Finance
  • Construction & Property
  • Engineering
  • Human Resources
  • Information Technology
  • Marketing & Digital
  • Office Support

Hays Globalink can help you better understand the Australian job market, providing advice on salary expectations and market guidelines. Depending on the demand in your field, Hays Globalink can arrange Sykpe interviews with employers prior to your arrival in Australia.

Making the time to contact Hays Globalink is a positive step towards your Australian job search, before you have even left the UK! 

Utilise your LinkedIn Profile

Joining an Australian career forum on LinkedIn can put you in contact with employers and give you a general idea of the roles available. We recommend joining Hays Careers Forum – Moving to Australia, a LinkedIn group which provides the latest market insights, job information and advice for professionals looking to move to Australia.

We spoke to Diane Boyce from Hays Globalink about how they can assist candidates with opportunities in Australia. “Many employers remain active with speculative recruitment, working with us to proactively source the best talent for when the borders open up. Use this time to update your CV and Linked in profile, upskill on remote interviewing techniques and of course enjoy researching your chosen location in Australia.”

Prepare to Migrate

While migration plans may feel temporarily on hold, we hope we have inspired you to keep forging ahead towards your new life in Australia. Using a licensed migration agent to process your visa, and a specialist recruitment team to assist with your job search, you can be confident of staying fully informed throughout your relocation journey.

Grandparent

Parent Visas – Processing Times and Coronavirus UPDATE

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Processing Times for Parent Visas

The Department of Home Affairs do not provide processing times for Contributory Parent, Contributory Aged Parent and Aged Parent visa applications. This is because applications for these visas are subject to capping and queuing.

Capping means that a limited number of visas are granted each Migration Program year. Once this number is reached, no more visas will be granted until the new year commences on 1st July. In 2019-20, Migration program planning levels saw 7,371 parent visas available.

The queue order is fixed, with no application given priority ahead of another application.

The Department of Home Affairs provide a queue date which shows the current assessment dates for each visa. The Parent Visa Centre are currently assessing offshore applicants (subclass 143 and 173) lodged up to and including February 2016, and onshore applicants (subclass 864 and 884) lodged up to January 2017.

The Department of Home Affairs have advised that Onshore Contributory Parent visas lodged from January 2017 onwards are likely to take longer to process while the Parent Visa Centre action offshore Contributory Parent (CA143 and TU173) applications to bring the dates back to parity.

You can check the latest queue date on the Department of Home Affairs website.

Parent visa processing amid Coronavirus

The Parent Visa Centre have advised that “the processing of visa applications is continuing, however finalisation of many Parent Visa applications will be put on temporary hold. The situation will be reviewed in late May 2020, and further extension/s will be provided if necessary.

As soon as we have advice that restrictions at our Border have been returned to more normal arrangements, the Department will update information on the web site.”

You can check your eligibility for a parent visa by completing our free online assessment.

Read more about Australia parent visas.

PMSOL finance jobs

Australia’s economic response to Coronavirus

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Read the official economic response to the Coronoviris from the Australian Government.

Australia’s economic response to Coronavirus

Discover your Australian visa options by completing our free online assessment.

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Visa Go Australia
1 week ago
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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