In Interstaff’s Q&A Video Series, our Registered Migration Agents answer your questions on how the introduction of the new Regional 494 Visa impacts businesses and skilled visa applicants. With Perth recently becoming classified as a regional city for visa purposes, we’ve had many people enquire how the new 494 Regional… Read More »
Why are more migrants choosing to study in Perth? With the Federal Government’s recent classification of Perth as a ‘regional’ area for visa and migration purposes in November 2019, the city is certainly becoming an even more attractive destination for international students. Perth International Students | New Visa Benefits Perth international… Read More »
Australia’s upcoming Skilled Occupation List changes will determine which occupations are eligible for skilled visas in 2020, so it’s important to understand how the lists may change. What is a Skilled Occupation List? | Skilled Occupation List Changes To work or migrate to Australia on a skilled visa, a person… Read More »
The Government has confirmed the eligible occupations for Australia’s new Regional Visas and importantly, the lists will establish new Permanent Residence (PR) pathways for skilled migrants from 16 November 2019. The 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Visa The 494 SESR Visa will enable businesses with operations in Perth, the Gold Coast and regional/remote areas to… Read More »
Over the weekend, the Government announced the new definition of ‘Regional Australia’ will change to encompass all areas of Australia except for Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane from 16 November 2019. As a result, both Perth and the Gold Coast will be reclassified as regional areas for visa and migration purposes… Read More »
This week, Interstaff’s Managing Director, Sheila Woods commented on how the upcoming Regional Skilled Visa changes will impact businesses in the Resource Industry in an article for The Australian Mining Review and The Australian Oil and Gas Review newspapers. With the new Regional Skilled Visas commencing on 16 November 2019, the… Read More »
Australia’s permanent migration intake has fallen to its lowest level since 2008 with only 160,323 permanent residence visas granted in 2018-19, according to recent Department of Home Affairs statistics. In 2019/20 and over the next four years, we can expect this figure to plateau with Australia’s new planning cap formally… Read More »
As part of Australia’s focus on skilled regional visa arrangements, the composition of the Australian Skilled Migration program has shifted to promote a larger percentage of migrants in regional areas. While this has created more opportunities for permanent residence in regional areas, the number of placements for visas that allow… Read More »
Interstaff’s Managing Director, Sheila Woods recently had the pleasure of presenting at the 2019 WA HR Leadership Forum to share insights on fundamental shifts in Australia’s Skilled Migration Program. Sheila discussed how Australia’s new regional policy direction will impact businesses with operations in regional or remote areas. Here’s a summary… Read More »
Out of 140 major cities across the globe, four Australian major cities made it into the top 20 most liveable cities in the world this year according to The Economist Intelligence Unit’s annual Global Liveability Index. Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide ranked in the top 10 most liveable cities, while Perth… Read More »
Figures released by the Department of Home Affairs show 229,000 people held a Bridging Visa in Australia in March 2019 while a decision was being made to grant their substantive visa. This is a significant increase considering the number of people on a Bridging Visa in 2014 was 107,000. The… Read More »
From 16 November 2019, a new visa known as the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) Provisional 494 Visa will replace the existing regional visa sponsorship program, known as the Subclass 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visa. The new 494 Visa will provide employers greater flexibility to sponsor visa holders for… Read More »
The new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) 494 Visa will commence on 16 November 2019 and replace existing permanent residence pathways to sponsor overseas workers in regional areas. If your business employs Subclass 457/482 Visa holders, it’s important to know how the changes will impact permanent residence options for employees.… Read More »
The Government has launched a parliamentary inquiry into Australia’s migration program as part of its focus on encouraging migrants to live and work in regional areas. While Australia’s permanent migration intake rate has already been formally reduced by 30,000 places each year over the next four years, temporary migration figures… Read More »
If you’re an expat moving to Australia, you would know navigating visa requirements is only one piece of the puzzle when seeking to work abroad. It helps to have access to a pool of resources and a supportive group of like-minded individuals. Recently, Interstaff have been working closely with Expat… Read More »
You may have heard in the media last month that the Courier-Mail reported the Government may not pursue legislative changes that will require permanent residents to wait longer and meet tougher tests to become eligible for Australian Citizenship. The Federal Immigration Minister Peter Dutton has since denied reports that changes… Read More »
Amended legislation to relax Australia’s Work and Holiday Visa arrangements commenced on 1 July 2019. The Work and Holiday Maker program is now available to more young migrants and provides a pathway for visa holders to stay an additional year to assist farmers and regional businesses with critical labour shortages.… Read More »
The bar has been raised even higher for skilled migrants requiring points for a 189 Visa invitation, particularly for high-demand occupations such as accountants, engineers and IT professionals. The 189 Visa is highly sought by skilled migrants because it provides permanent residence without the need for employer sponsorship. However, the… Read More »
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed less invitations will be issued to skilled migrants for a General Skilled Migration visa in 2019-20. As per our previous article, last month in April only 100 invitations were issued for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa Australia-wide – the lowest amount offered… Read More »
WA Day! We’re very lucky in Western Australia to have a public holiday dedicated to everything that makes our state a great place to live, work and explore. This Monday 3 June is WA Day and there will be plenty of family activities on – both in Perth and right… Read More »
Following the 2019 Federal Election, we now have greater certainty of Australia’s immigration policy directions over the next three-year Government term. Prime Minister, Scott Morrison will continue to lead the Australian Government and immigration policy changes that were previously announced under his direction are likely to progress. This includes a… Read More »
After winning the 2019 Federal Election, Prime Minister Scott Morrison will lead the Coalition through its third consecutive term of Government in Australia and has already selected which Ministers will form the new Cabinet. While there were some changes in ownership across Ministerial portfolios, responsibilities for immigration and related policies… Read More »
The privilege to vote and have a say in the shaping of our nation is just one of many good reasons to become an Australian Citizen. For those who are Australian citizens – whether it’s your first time voting or not – why not celebrate your freedom to vote with… Read More »
Drop In Invites For Skilled Migrants | Skilled visa applicants across Australia may face a longer wait to be invited by the Government to apply for a Subclass 189 Skilled Independent Visa, due to a reduction in the number of invites being issued. The Subclass 189 Visa is highly sought… Read More »
In the lead up to the Federal Election, debate and discussion has again been raised on how Australia should manage its skilled migration programs. Congestion busting in metropolitan areas remains a contentious issue, and the Opposition has criticised the Coalition’s population policy for failing to address high numbers of temporary… Read More »
Recent debate in the lead up to the Federal election has highlighted the issue of extremely long wait times and high fees faced by many who apply for Australia’s Parent Visas. There is significant demand to bring parents to Australia, however only 7,371 permanent Parent Visas were issued in 2017-18.… Read More »
The Government has introduced legislation for Australia’s new Skilled Regional Visa options, which will require migrants to work for three years in regional areas before becoming eligible to apply for permanent residence. Here’s what you need to know about the new Regional Visas. Currently, migrants can directly apply for permanent… Read More »
The Government’s points test changes from 16 November 2016 could mean migrants will be able to claim extra points to qualify for Australia’s independent skilled visas. Details of the revised points allocations were released under the Migration Amendment (New Regional Skilled Visas) Regulations 2019, as part of the Government’s review… Read More »
Overseas-trained nurses wanting to apply for permanent residence through the General Skilled Migration program may soon need to undertake an outcomes-based assessment instead of a three-month bridging program to qualify. The outcomes-based assessment will require overseas-trained nurses to be assessed based on cognitive and behavioural components, and previous qualifications and… Read More »
Perth is a great place to celebrate Easter with family and friends. There are always plenty of events and activities on offer each year. If you’re currently in Perth on a vacation (or staycation for permanent residents), here’s our rundown of things to do and places to see over the… Read More »
The Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that major changes to introduce a sponsorship application to the Partner Visa process will no longer commence on 17 April 2019. The Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2018 provides for a family sponsorship framework to be established, in which sponsors need… Read More »
From 17 April 2019, the Department of Home Affairs will begin accepting Sponsorship applications from Australian citizens/permanent residents and eligible New Zealand Citizens to sponsor their parent(s) to come to Australia for up to 10 years on the new Subclass 870 Temporary Parent Visa. As the visa will be capped… Read More »
The Australian Governor-General yesterday proclaimed that the Partner Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) will commence on 17 April 2019. The changes may result in a more onerous and lengthier process to obtain a Partner Visa, and will particularly impact those lodging their application from within Australia. The legislative amendment will allow the Department of Home… Read More »
The Government today revealed Australia’s permanent migration intake would be reduced by 30,000 people as details of the new population policy were released. Under the policy changes, Australia’s annual permanent migration intake will be set at 160,000 places for the next four years, formally reducing the number of permanent residence… Read More »
Australia is known for its world-class education system, which is part of the reason why so many people choose to raise their family here. Giving your kids a good education is so important and is an integral part of the Australian lifestyle. If you’ve chosen to base you and your… Read More »
This Australia Day long weekend, people across the country will celebrate everything that makes our nation so amazing. In Perth, there will be plenty of activities for families and friends to enjoy. Here are our top 5 ways to celebrate the Australia Day long weekend in Perth – and best… Read More »
This week, Interstaff had the pleasure of presenting on the topic, ‘Reimagining Skilled Migration’ at the 2018 WA HR Leadership Forum. As you may know, this year’s replacement of the 457 Visa scheme with the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa and broader changes in Australia’s migration arrangements have… Read More »
Employer sponsored migration will be a key focus for Australia’s Immigration Minister, David Coleman according to his speech to the Migration Institute of Australia in October 2018. Mr Coleman stated Australia’s skilled migration policies should emphasise visa categories providing the highest economic benefits, such as employer sponsored migration and regional… Read More »
The Government has announced it will relax Working Holiday Visa program restrictions relating to age limits, areas of work, employer flexibility and length of stay to help agricultural businesses struggling with labour shortages while the Government considers creating a dedicated agricultural visa for a long-term solution. The Working Holiday Visa… Read More »
Last week, the Government announced Irish and Canadian citizens can now apply for a Working Holiday Subclass 417 Visa in Australia up to the age of 35. Prior to the change on 1 November 2018, people over the age 31 were ineligible for the program. The increased age limit therefore… Read More »
Interstaff is pleased to welcome our new Registered Migration Agent to the team, Melissa Phan (MARN: 1808239). As part of our Registered Migration Agent team, Melissa advises clients on migration solutions for businesses and individuals according to current migration legislation and manages all aspects of the visa and/or sponsorship application process… Read More »
Interstaff had a great lawn bowls night recently with WA Singapore Business Connect. Have you ever tried your hand at lawn bowls? It was a first for a few of us in the Interstaff team at the South Perth Lawn Bowls Club. Trying lawn bowls for the first time and… Read More »
One Fine Day There’s plenty of free things to see and do in Perth and they don’t have to cost you the Earth! We are lucky to have so many natural attractions to visit and with the weather beginning to heat up, we’re excited to start heading out for a… Read More »
