Skilled migration will form a big part of Australia’s COVID recovery strategy.
According to Australia’s Immigration Minister, Alex Hawke: Skilled Migration will form a large part of Australia’s post covid recovery. Australia’s government will need to make a strong commitment in the future to fill critical skills gaps.
Australia’s industries are growing and it’s clear that the Aussie government will need to plug the skill shortages to assist in national economic recovery. This is encouraging news for anyone wanting to emigrate to Australia.
It’s not clear when Australia will relax their migration policies again.
According to SEEK, job adverts are at their highest level in more than 20 years. This demonstrates how critical the problem has become for Australia.
The Australian government has already implemented some temporary changes to their critical skills visa criteria and requirements. Despite the call for more flexibility, it is highly anticipated that the points-based skilled migration visas will be prioritised for occupations in the critical skills sector only.
There are currently 4 main streams that allow people overseas to come to Australia on a skilled permanent visa:
- Points-tested skilled migration: Applicants are allocated points based on things like their age, qualifications, skills, and English proficiency.
- Employer-nominated: Applicants are nominated and sponsored by an employer.
- Business innovation and investment: For people who have a demonstrated a history of success or talent in innovation, investment, and business;
- Global talent: Designed to attract highly skilled professionals to work in 10 nominated sectors.
Australian visas: What’s the update mate?
Victoria:
Victoria state government will start accepting new applications for the Skilled Nominated (Permanent) visa (subclass 190) and the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) in the financial year 2020-2021, subject to an announcement.
New South Wales:
In a significant development for visa hopefuls, NSW opened its Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) – applications for which closed on June 26, 2020.
South Australia:
The state has said it will reopen its nomination application system for 190/491 in early August, subject to an announcement.
Western Australia:
The WA government made changes to their occupation list on 16 June 2020, removing Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422) and adding Nuclear Medicine Technologist (251213) and Physicist (234914) – with the specialisation of Medical Physicist.
Queensland:
Business and Skilled Migration Queensland has closed its state nomination program. The state is waiting for advice from the Department of Home Affairs with regards to its nomination allocation for the financial year 2020-21.
Northern Territory
The NT program remains closed to offshore applicants at this stage. New eligibility requirements for all nominations will apply as of 1 July 2020.
In-demand occupations:
Occupations that are critical and support economic recovery will remain in high demand. Health professionals are a priority and we’ve seen an increase in visas for categories 189, 190, 491.
Visa fees and charges:
Australian increases visa charges each year on 1 July by around 3 – 4%.
