For further information on any of the below articles please contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on (08) 9365 7457 or email visas@cciwa.com.
Reforms to employer sponsored migration
19 March 2012
The Federal Government has announced significant changes to the permanent employer sponsored migration program.
These reforms, which will be introduced from 1 July 2012, include:
Collapsing the existing visa subclasses from six to two. This will be achieved by:
- removing the existing onshore and offshore distinctions;
- replacing the permanent labour agreement visa with streams in the ENS and RSMS;
- introducing a streamlined and simplified pathway to permanent residence for eligible Temporary Business Long Stay Subclass 457 visa holders;
- raising the upper age limit to less than 50 years;
- changes to key visa criteria including english language and skill requirements;
- introducing one consolidated sponsored occupation list to replace the 457 occupation list, the Employer Nomination Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL) and the State and Territory Sponsored Occupation List (StatSOL);
- Strategically refocussing the regional certifying body (RCB) network to the Direct Entry stream of RSMS; and
- integrating the new ENS and RSMS visas with the skilled migrant selection model, skillselect, which will be launched on 1 July 2012.
Reduced visa validity for certain returning residents
6 March 2012
As part of the 2011-12 Mid-year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, the Australian Government announced the reduction in the validity period for Resident Return Visas from five years to one year, in instances where the applicant has not lived in Australia for more than two of the last five years.
The applicant would still need to satisfy the ‘close ties to Australia’ requirement i.e. the applicant must have substantial, business, cultural, employment or personal ties which are of benefit to Australia and not been absent from Australia for five years or more unless compelling reasons were demonstrated.
The change came into effect on 15 February 2012.
For assistance with Resident Return Visas, contact CCI Migration Services (MARN 0318589) on (08) 9365 7457 or email migration@cciwa.com.