CCI will be exhibiting again at Emigrate, the world’s biggest emigration event held annually at Sandown Park Racecourse in Surrey, United Kingdom.

This year’s exhibition, Emigrate 2005, will run from 18 - 20 March and a strong level of attendance is expected over the 3-day event.

Emigrate 2005 targets both skilled and business individuals seeking to relocate from the UK to other parts of the world including Australia.

The exhibition brings together experts associated with the various aspects of emigration including migration consultants, legal and financial advisors, recruitment firms, business brokers etc.

Statistics show that ‘the big five’ most popular destinations for UK migrants are Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the United States of America and South Africa.

CCI will represent West Australian industry and provide advice to prospective migrants on emigrating to metropolitan or regional Australia under the existing skilled, employer sponsored and business migration schemes. 

Importantly, the Chamber will be highlighting the current and prospective skill shortages in WA for occupations which employers continue to find difficult to source and recruit in the current skill shortage environment. 

This world-class exhibition therefore presents the ideal opportunity for CCI Members to:

• promote their company at an international event;
• list job vacancies within their organisation which they have difficulty filling locally;
• send a company representative as part of the CCI employer delegation; and
• access a leads database of prospective migrants seeking employment opportunities in Australia.  

If your organisation would like to be involved in this special international event, please contact Anna Bills on (08) 9365 7536 to register your interest or alternatively, complete the form by clicking here.

For further information on sponsoring overseas employees, contact Ivan Hoe of CCI’s Migration Services on (08) 9365 7618 or email hoe@cciwa.com

• Boilermakers
• Welders
• Hydraulic Fitters
• Machinist
• Fitters
• Mechanical Fitters
• Electricians - Mining
• Auto Electricians
• Heavy Duty Fitters
• Fixed Plant Fitters
• Mobile Plant Fitters
• Electricians – Instrument Technicians
• Heavy Duty Diesel Mechanics
• Plant Mechanics
• Dentists
• Hairdressers
• Light Vehicle Mechanic
• Refrigeration Technician
• Electricians – Refrigeration  Experience
• Registered Nurses
• Registered Midwives
• Mental Health Nurses
• Sonographers
• Psychiatrists
• Physicians
• Speech Pathologist
• Physiotherapist
• General Practitioners
• Air leg miners
• Diamond drill operators
• Farm qualified people (Famr managers, or people with agricultural certificates)

Message from DIMIA:

The regulations were signed by the governor general on Friday and we hope to have final clearance on Monday next week.  When we do I will send them to the MIA for distribution to agents.  We are also in the final stages of negotiating out Internet information so that should happen next week also.

Skilled Independent – Regional (Provisional) visa – Questions and Answers

1. What is the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa?

The SIR visa is designed to attract highly skilled people who wish to live in regional Australia but are unable to meet the criteria to be granted a permanent visa.  Applicants, who can meet the lower pass mark for the SIR (Provisional) visa, are granted a three-year visa.  After living for at least two years, and working for a total of at least 12 months, in regional Australia, SIR (Provisional) visa holders are eligible to apply for residence through one of the existing “regional” permanent residence visa classes without leaving Australia.

2. Who can apply for the SIR visa?

In broad terms, to be eligible to apply for the SIR (Provisional) visa, you must:

• Be under 45 years of age at the time you apply,
• Have “vocational” standard English,
• Nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List, and
• Have been assessed by the relevant Australian assessing authority as being suitable for that occupation,
• Have recent work experience in a skilled occupation, or are eligible for a waiver of this requirement because you have recently completed an Australian qualification after a minimum of two years study in Australia,
• Meet the SIR (Provisional) visa pass mark; and
• Have sponsorship from a relevant State/Territory authority.

3. How do I get a State/Territory authority to sponsor me?

You should first visit DIMIA’s SIR visa website at: http://www.immig.gov.au/migration/skilled/sir.htm. 

This website will have links to the various State and Territory authorities and details on any regional initiatives in their State or Territory.  You will be required to obtain sponsorship for your SIR (Provisional) visa from a relevant State/Territory authority before making your application.  The sponsorship form to be used is form 1244.

4. Is the SIR (Provisional) visa points tested?

Yes.  The current pass mark for the SIR (Provisional) visa is 110 points.  This is a lower pass mark than currently applies to the Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa classes, which is 120 points.

5. I have a student visa can I apply for the SIR visa as soon as I complete my studies?

Yes, provided you can meet the basic criteria for the SIR visa as set out in Question 2 above.

6. I have a Skilled – Independent (Migrant) application that has been “pooled”, can I apply for a SIR (Provisional) visa?

Yes, DIMIA will be writing to “pooled” applicants who have attained a score of at least 110 points to apply for a SIR (Provisional) visa.  You will need to obtain sponsorship from a State or Territory Government before you can lodge your SIR (provisional) visa application and pay a reduced visa application charge (VAC).  If you wish to take advantage of this opportunity, you must lodge your SIR (Provisional) visa application on, or before, the date specified in your invitation letter.

7. Do I need to have health and character checks to be grants SIR (Provisional visa?

Yes.  All SIR visa applicants are required to satisfy health and character tests for permanent residence (i.e. full migrant medical).

8. Can I add a child, spouse or other dependant to my SIR (Provisional) application after it has been lodged?

A dependant may be added to your application without charge provided a decision has not been made on the application.  If the application has been decided, then your dependant will need to lodge his or her own application and pay the prescribed application charge.

9. Will there be any conditions attached to the SIR (Provisional) visa?

Yes.  If successful, you and your family are required to live, work and study in a regional area, or low population growth metropolitan centre, in Australia.  As part of the application form, you must sign a declaration acknowledging that you understand and accept the terms of the SIT (Provisional) visa if granted.  You will be required to have lived for at least two years, and been employed for at least a total of 12 months, in regional Australia before you can apply for a permanent visa.

10. What is meant by a “regional area or a low population growth metropolitan centre” in Australia?

“Regional Australia” is defined as any Statistical Division with a population of less than 200,000.  A “low population growth metropolitan centre” is one with a population growth rate between the last two censuses of less than 50 per cent of the national average.

The areas currently listed are:

• New South Wales – except Sydney, Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong;
• Queensland – except Brisbane and the Gold Coast
• Victoria – except Melbourne metropolitan areas;
• Western Australia – except Perth metropolitan area;
• South Australia – entire state;
• Tasmania – entire state; and
• Northern Territory – entire state.

11. Can I live/work in regional Australia while my family lives in a main city?

No. One of the aims of the program is to keep family units together in Regional Australia.  Unless there are exceptional circumstances, members of your family unit are required to reside with you.

12. If I work in regional Australia, does the employment have to be with one employer?

No.  Employment may be with more than one employer provided that the total period of employment is at least 12 months.

13. Can I count towards my permanent visa application any employment or residence I had in regional areas before my SIR (Provisional) visa was granted?

No.  You can only count employment and residence accumulated in regional Australia AFTER you were granted your SIR visa.

14. If I have been employed for 12 months, and lived in regional Australia for 2 years, what Permanent Visa can I apply for?

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS);
• Skilled State and Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) visa; and
• State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (SB)) visa.

15. Will I need to re-do my health and character checks?

All permanent visa applicants must meet health and character requirements.  Your earlier checks can be taken into consideration but additional checking will be required.

16. What happens if I have lived in regional Australia but can’t meet the visa requirements to be granted a permanent visa after 3 years?

A further one-year SIR (Provisional) visa may be granted if you complied with the conditions of your visa.  It should be noted that the regulations only allow for ONE more SIR (Provisional) visa to be granted.

17. What happens if I don’t comply with the conditions of my visa?

If you do not comply with the conditions of your visa, it is unlikely that you will be granted a further SIR (Provisional) visa at the expiry of your current visa.  If you are unable to satisfy the criteria to be granted any other class of visa, then you will be expected to depart, on or before, the expiry date of your current SIR (Provisional) visa.

18. Where do I lodge my application for my SIR (Provisional) visa?

All applications must be lodged either by courier or by post to the following address:

By courier to:    

The Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
1st Floor, 55 Curie Street
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Australia,

Or

Posted to:

The Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
GPO Box 1638
ADELAIDE SA 5001
Australia

19. Can I lodge my application electronically?

Electronic lodgement of applications is currently being developed.

CCI Migration Services has joined forces with global immigration firm Emigra to provide Australia’s most comprehensive business immigration service.

Through CCI-Emigra members gain access to an immigration provider that can assist in securing work related visas for 87 countries with corporate offices on four continents.

Recent initiatives announced by the Federal Government will channel prospective skilled migrants to rural and regional areas of Australia.

Some of the changes will institute more stringent settlement criteria to the skilled migration program and come amidst rising demand for migration to Australia.

Commencing 14 April, prospective skilled migrants seeking permanent residence under the skilled independent category are required to meet a higher pass mark (120 points) for permanent entry to Australia.

Predominantly, those applicants who are successful in passing the new threshold will be aged 30 years or less, university degree or trade qualified and will have worked in their chosen field for three of the past four years.

Applicants older than 35 are likely to face considerable difficulty in reaching the new threshold.

While the pass mark has been increased for the skilled migration program, a lower pass mark will apply to those who commit to settling in regional Australia.

In the absence of further details, information gleaned from government media statements indicate that suitably qualified individuals intending to migrate to Australia will obtain a three-year temporary residence visa if they commit to living and working in regional Australia.

After two years these skilled individuals will then be able to apply for permanent residency. The timing gap between the media announcement of the new rules from 1 July and the changes to existing rules from 14 April is highly questionable and has created some uncertainty. It is likely to lead to considerable concern for many prospective applicants.

In a further initiative to encourage migration to the regions, it is understood that self-funded retirees from overseas will be given four-year residential visas if they agree to live in rural Australia and invest at least $500,000 in state or territory bonds.

The ultimate impact on rural and regional population development centres of these changes is unknown and will not be measurable for many years - if at all.

These changes also do not address, to any substantial extent, the skills gap arising from the disparity in the skills being attracted to regional Australia and the type of skills that may be required by employers in specific regional areas.

CCI is concerned that the development policies for rural and regional Australia are conflicting with the Federal Government’s skilled migration policy objectives.

The outcome of specific initiatives, particularly in relation to employment and skill shortages, could be more effectively achieved through other means and closer consultation with industry.

For more information contact Ivan Hoe at CCI Migration Services on 9365 7555 or e-mail: visas@cciwa.com

A new minimum salary threshold for positions being offered to temporary business entrants has recently come into effect.

From 11 February 2004, Australian employers seeking to sponsor temporary overseas employees for nominated positions in Australia will be required to pay a minimum base annual salary of $37,720 per employee.

This excludes additional payments such as superannuation, accommodation, bonuses or any other non- salary benefits.

The new minimum salary threshold is an upward revision of the base salary level of $35,828 which has been in effect since November 2002 and reflects the average annual earnings for all employees in Australia, as at February 2003.

In addition, a new separate minimum annual salary of $46,620 will apply to information and communication technology positions to better reflect the typical salary for experienced professionals in that industry.

The gazetted revision has been made despite CCI’s expressed concerns that the minimum salary threshold arrangements for temporary business entrants is set inappropriately in relation to some state and relevant federal awards which apply in WA.

The arising disparity between the gazetted salary threshold and some awards previously highlighted to the Federal Government is preventing some employers from accessing temporary overseas employees. This has created difficulties particularly in areas where there are identified skill shortages. While the gazetted salary level will apply to position nominations lodged on or after 11 February 2004, the new level will not affect employers in regional and low-population growth areas.

Under special provisions introduced in 2002, employers in regional Australia may seek an exemption from the salary requirement under exceptional circumstances.

For more information contact Ivan Hoe at CCI Migration Services on 9365 7614 or e-mail: hoe@cciwa.com

Australian employers can now employ youth from Italy and France as the two countries have joined the growing list of nations taking part in the working holiday visa program.

Belgium has also agreed to join but ratification of the agreement is needed by its Parliament and it could be late 2004 before it is official.

Australia has reciprocal working holidaymaker arrangements with 14 foreign countries including the United Kingdom, Canada, the Netherlands, Japan, Republic of Ireland, Republic of Korea, Malta, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, Finland and the Republic of Cyprus.

Passport holders from any of these countries who are aged between 18 and 30, and who have no dependent children are eligible for an Australian working holiday visa.

Working holidaymakers are permitted a stay of 12 months from date of initial entry to Australia regardless of whether or not they spend the whole period in Australia. They are allowed to study or train for up to three months.

Working holidaymakers are permitted to do any kind of work of a temporary or casual nature and should be paid according to Australian award rates and conditions.

As the main purpose of the visit is for holiday and travel, work for longer than three months with any one employer is not allowed.

For further information contact CCI Migration Services at CCI on 9365 7555 or e-mail: visas@cciwa.com

CCI Business Visa Services has provided the following information in response to an increasing number of CCI members seeking assistance in obtaining skilled and experienced offshore labour.

The information is provided in the context of the strong economic growth occurring in WA due to the significant rise in business investment, particularly in the resources sector.

This has led to a rise in labour demand at a time when the employment market is relatively strong. Anecdotal evidence from members indicates that some skill shortages have emerged.

Q. Are overseas workers subject to different employment conditions?

A. No. Any overseas worker either professional or trade-qualified who is eligible for a work permit in Australia is required to be paid at the same level as a domestic worker. Similarly, to enter Australia as a skilled worker, a person is required to meet Australian skill levels, health checks and security clearances. Australian employers must also conduct the same health and safety checks and inductions for offshore workers as for locally employed staff.

Q. What happens to overseas workers when there is less work available?

A. The subclass 457 employer sponsored temporary visa requires a person to work in their designated occupation while they are in Australia. If they are not working, the visa holder is given notice that their visa may be cancelled and they may be required to return to their home country.

Where industries experience sharp rises and falls in activity, it may make economic and business sense to use a nationally and internationally mobile workforce. In recognition of this, the subclass 457 visa is provided specifically for Australian employers to source temporary skilled labour from offshore, provided they meet the relevant criteria.

Q. Does imported labour displace the young unemployed?

A. No, the use of offshore skilled labour does not disadvantage young Australians. The youth employment rate generally refers to an estimate of unemployed 15 to 21 year olds who may be unskilled, low skilled or lacking sufficient experience required by employers. Companies making multi-million dollar investments require access to a skilled and experienced workforce.

Q. How does utilising offshore skilled labour impact on local content?

A. Local content is maximised when there is adequate infrastructure, labour and capital available in the domestic market.

A significant skill and labour shortage is likely to threaten local industry capability, which may lead to more work being completed offshore. Engaging skilled offshore labour to meet skill shortages allows employers to deliver a higher level of local content, which benefits the WA economy.

For more information contact CCI Migration Services on 9365 7618 or e-mail: visas@cciwa.com

There are a number of avenues for entry to Australia depending on the length of time people intend to remain in the country.

Short-term stay

The business (short stay) visa
This visa may be issued for single or multiple entry. Holders of a multiple entry visa may make any number of journeys to Australia for up to three months on each occasion.

Multiple entry visas may be valid for up to five years, or the life of the passport (to a maximum of 10 years). Applicants must apply for this visa outside Australia.

The Electronic Travel Authority
The ETA allows tourists and business visitors to obtain visas for Australia at the time they make their travel arrangements. The ETA system is accessible through travel agencies and airlines in the United States, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, United Kingdom and many other Asian and European countries.

The APEC Business Travel Card
This card provides business people with simplified entry to a number of economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) forum. Holders must be passport-holders of one of the participating countries, currently Australia, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand and the Philippines.

Brunei, Darussalam, China, Indonesia, Peru and Thailand have also joined the scheme and will commence issuing cards in the near future.

Cardholders enjoy express immigration clearance and pre-cleared entry to participating economies.

Long-term stay

Longer terms are available for business people allowing up to four years temporary residence in Australia. A number of visas facilitate the entry of a long- term visitor to Australia.

Labour agreements
A labour agreement is a formal arrangement negotiated between the Commonwealth Government, represented by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations (DEWR), and an employer or industry association.

Labour agreements enable Australian employers to recruit a specified number of workers from overseas in response to identified or emerging skill shortages in the Australian labour market. Agreements are normally negotiated for a period of two to three years.

Regional Headquarters Agreements
RHQs are a form of labour agreement negotiated between the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources (Invest Australia), DIMIA and an employer who wishes to locate their regional headquarters in Australia. These agreements offer both permanent and temporary entry to key executive and specialist personnel who are essential to the establishment and management of the Australian-based regional operations.

Immigration arrangements for those entering Australia under an RHO are streamlined and given priority processing over standard labour agreements.

Business Temporary Entry visa
These arrangements cater for employers wishing to sponsor the temporary entry of highly skilled personnel to Australia. Under the current arrangements employers are able to sponsor a range of occupations including professionals, para-professionals and skilled trades people who have employment in Australia.

CCI Migration Services is available to provide advice and guidance to employers seeking to sponsor an employee from offshore.

For more information contact CCI Migration Services on 9365 7618 or e-mail: visas@cciwa.com