For the first time in years we have seen GBP>AUD reach over $2.00. This means you are doubling your money when converting British pounds into Australian dollars.

In these uncertain times, all financial markets are susceptible to wild swings, so why not consider setting up an automated trade with our trusted partners Halo Financial? An automated trade means that once the market hits your specified rate; your order will automatically be placed.

Halo Financial suggest that the Pound-to-Australian Dollar exchange rate is very attractive right now, with orders at 2.05 on Monday this week.

Alastair Sweetman, a Senior Currency Consultant at Halo Financial, provided the following technical analysis: “It has been one-way traffic lately for GBP-AUD, with sterling making steady gains during the first three months of the year. The high in typical mid-market rates came on 19 March, as the Pound briefly hit 2.078, as the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut interest rates and agreed to start significant quantitative easing.”

You can read the full GBP-AUD Quarter 2 forecast and economic analysis 2020 at Halo Financial’s website.

You can get a quick personalised quote by visiting http://www.halofinancial.com/lp?p=VisaGo

Alternatively, you can contact Michael Hart on +44 (0) 20 7350 5474 or michael.hart@halofinancial.com

VETASSESS plan to resume Technical Interviews amid Coronavirus

Amid the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, Trades Recognition Australia has given VETASSESS permission to conduct Technical Interview assessments via online video conferencing.

As a result, non-licensed occupations and Pathway 2 licensed occupations will be able to proceed with their Technical Interviews. Practical assessments remain on hold until further notice.

This change enables Technical Interviews to be conducted outside a VETASSESS-approved venue, such as the applicant’s workplace or home. As people around the globe self-isolate, this will be a much-welcomed change for applicants.

VETASSESS plan to commence this process from Wednesday 1^st April 2020, until further notice. In these circumstances it is a mandatory requirement of Trades Recognition Australia that VETASSESS verify the applicant’s identity.

Over the coming days, eligible applicants will be contacted directly by VETASSESS with further instructions.

VETASSESS have instructed that:

The applicant must:

1. Use Adobe Connect software for the Technical Interview with the assessor.
2. Provide government approved photographic identification before the interview can commence.
3. Answer the assessor, in English, without assistance.
4. Be physically present and alone at all times during the Interview.

The Interview will be conducted with an independent invigilator. If the invigilator has any concerns about the integrity of the assessment, he/she will close and cancel the Interview.

VETASSESS will send out detailed instructions to applicants in relation to this new process.

Use our free points calculator to see if you qualify for an Australian skilled visa, or check out our trade skills assessment guidelines.

What is an Expression of Interest invitation round?

If you are applying through the skilled migration stream then this process will be applicable to you. After obtaining a positive skills assessment and English test you will need to lodge an Expression of Interest, commonly referred to an EOI. EOI’s are lodged online via SkillSelect.

If you are lodging an EOI for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) or Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491), you will be subject to invitation rounds. Invitation rounds currently take place once a month, usually on the 11^th.

What do invitation rounds tell us?

Each month the invitation round results are published on SkillSelect. This is a good indication to determine if you have enough points to secure a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) visa, and how long it may take you to secure an invite. Invitations are not guaranteed and your EOI will expire after 2 years.

What were the latest invitation round results?

The latest invitation round – 11 February 2020 – saw 1,500 invitation issued.

Visa subclass	Number of invitations issued
Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)	1,000
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored	500

The minimum points score for a Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189) was 90. The latest date of effect was 16/11/2019. This means applicants needed 90+ points to secure an invitation, and those who had the minimum 90 points waited 4 months to secure an invitation.

The minimum points score for a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – Family Sponsored was 85. The latest date of effect was 08/01/2020. This means applicants needed 85+ points to secure an invitation, and those who had the minimum 85 points waited nearly 3 months to secure an invitation.

The above minimum points scores do not apply to pro-rata occupations. Due to high levels of demand, certain occupations are subject to pro-rata arrangements to ensure invitations are available throughout the year. This includes various occupations in finance, engineering and ICT. You can check if this applies to you by visiting SkillSelect. The minimum points score and date of effect for pro-rata occupations are also listed on SkillSelect.

How many points do I need for a skilled visa?

You can lodge an EOI on 65 points, however what many people don’t realize is meeting the minimum threshold of 65 points has not been enough to secure a 189 invitation for years! The last 6 months of invitation rounds saw no 189 invitation issued on under 80 points. Realistically, you require at least 80 points to have a chance of securing a 189 visa and we do not anticipate this lessening any time soon.

How can I increase my points?

There are two primary ways to increase your points score; The English Test and State Sponsorship (visa subclasses 190 and 491).

You can use Visa Go Australia’s free points calculator to determine your skilled points score. Alternatively,  you can seek advice from our licensed Migration Agent Darren Chatt MARN:0211214 by booking a consultation.

As COVID-19 (Coronavirus) continues to impact global movement, it is important to understand how this will impact your migration and visa status.

We have been inundated with enquires, so have created this FAQ guide to answer the most common questions. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our website to assist you.

Where can I find current information on travelling to Australia?

You can find the latest information about Australian travel restrictions and isolation measures on the Department of Home Affairs website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus

As of 20 March 2020, only Australian citizens, residents and immediate family members can travel to Australia. All travellers to Australia are required to self-isolate for 14 days, either at home or in a hotel. You can view information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) isolation on the Australian Government website.

According to the Government website, these restrictions will remain in place until further notice. The department are advising that travellers check the website regularly.

We recommend seeking advice primarily using the Department of Home Affairs website.

Should I change my future travel plans to Australia?

As the situation is developing rapidly, it is impossible to predict what travel restrictions will be in place by the time you intend to travel.

For more information on the current travel restrictions and self-isolation requirements in Australia, please refer to the Government website: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/current-alerts/novel-coronavirus.

Please note that the current advice from the UK government is for all British nationals to avoid non-essential travel.

Does this impact the processing of my skilled or family visa?

While there is no direct impact yet, we do anticipate minor delays in processing for a number of reasons:

• Technical and Practical assessments with Vetassess have been suspended until further notice, meaning your skills assessment may take longer to complete
• Some panel doctors are suspending new appointments, meaning your medicals will be delayed
• Employees across the globe are being advised to work from home and take sick leave, meaning Immigration may have less case processors working on visas

You can view the latest visa processing times here: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times

We will continue to publish new information as it becomes available.

I have been granted a visa with an initial entry date – will this date be extended?

Those with expiring entry dates should look to enter Australia within the given timeframe. We have not yet received confirmation that extensions will be provided.

We recommend contacting Immigration directly if your initial entry date is in the next 1-3 months.

Within Australia: Telephone 131 881

Outside Australia: Telephone +61 2 6196  0196

I cannot complete my medical check within the given time frame – what should I do?

Clients should book their medicals if requested, but we understand that there will be delays.

The most important thing is you communicate with your visa case officer. We recommend uploading the payment receipt for your appointment, and any correspondence you may have as evidence of your booking (or attempt of booking).

You should also upload a letter requesting an extension from Immigration, however extensions are not guaranteed and it is important you make reasonable attempts to arrange your medicals.

My travel plans have been affected – can I simply stay in Australia?

No – all tourist visa applicants in Australia should consider leaving as to not to overstay their visa. We always advise that you must obey all visa conditions.

Moreover, the UK Government have asked for all overseas Brits to return immediately to the UK.

I am a visa holder in Australia – how does this impact me?

You must apply for a new visa before your current visa exp​ir​es. You may be​​​ eligible to be granted a bridging visa that will keep you lawful until a decision is made on your visa application. You can refer to the Government website for instructions on what you need to do to stay longer.

If your current Australian visa states – No further stay condition (includes 8503, 8534 and 8535) – then you cannot apply for most other visas until you leave Australia. If your visa has less than 2 months validity remaining you can request to waive this condition.

If your current Australian visa states – Condition 8558 (Non-resident cannot stay for more than 12 months in any 18 months period) – you will need to apply for a new visa.

If your visa has expired, you need to apply for Bridging E visa immediately in order to become lawful.

We thank you for your patience during this busy time as we respond to your enquiries. You can stay updated by checking our news page.