Transforming Employer Sponsored Work
The Australian Government is set to revolutionise its approach to skilled migration with the introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa Australia by the end of 2024. This innovative program will replace the current Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa, addressing the evolving needs of the Australian labour market and offering new opportunities for both employers and skilled workers.
Find out more about the Skilled in Demand Visa below or get in touch with Interstaff’s Registered Migration Agents here to discuss your options.
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Streamlining Employer Nomination and Sponsorship
The Skills in Demand Visa Australia represents a significant shift in how businesses can attract and retain global talent. By simplifying the employer nomination process, this new visa aims to make Australia a more competitive destination for skilled professionals across various industries.
Under this new system, employers will benefit from:
- Faster Processing Times: The government has committed to clear service standards, with processing times as quick as 7 days for the Specialist Skills pathway. This rapid turnaround allows businesses to fill critical roles more efficiently than ever before.
- Flexible Sponsorship Arrangements: The new visa allows for greater mobility among sponsored workers. This means that periods of employment are possible with employers other than the visa holder’s sponsor in some circumstances, giving both employers and employees more flexibility in their working arrangements.
- Streamlined Labour Market Testing (LMT): The current system of employer-conducted Labour Market Testing may be replaced by independent verification mechanisms. This change could significantly reduce the administrative burden on businesses while ensuring that local workers are still given fair consideration for roles.
- Enhanced Accredited Sponsorship Program: The government plans to expand access to Accredited Sponsorship, potentially including smaller businesses and start-ups. Accredited sponsors enjoy priority processing and other benefits, making it easier for a wider range of businesses to access global talent.
Understanding the Three Pathways of the Skills in Demand Visa Australia
The Skills in Demand Visa is set to introduce a tiered system with three distinct pathways, each designed to meet different workforce needs:
1. Specialist Skills Pathway
This pathway is tailored for highly skilled professionals who can command top salaries in the Australian market. Key features include:
- Eligibility: Open to applicants in any occupation, except for trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers.
- Salary Threshold: Applicants must be paid at least AUD 135,000 per annum.
- Processing Time: An impressive 7-day median visa processing time.
This pathway is ideal for businesses needing to quickly secure top-tier talent in competitive fields such as technology, finance, or specialised healthcare roles, and is expected to commence late 2024.
2. Core Skills Pathway
The Core Skills pathway is designed to address persistent skills shortages in key occupations. Its features include:
- Occupation List: Eligibility is based on a new, data-driven Core Skills Occupation List.
- Salary Requirement: Applicants must be paid at least the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is set at $73,150 for 2024/25, and is to be indexed annually.
- Processing Time: While not as rapid as the Specialist pathway, it still offers streamlined processing.
This pathway will be crucial for businesses in sectors facing ongoing skills shortages, providing a reliable means to access necessary talent. This stream is also expected to commence in late 2024.
3. Essential Skills Pathway
This pathway recognises the importance of essential workers who may not command high salaries but are crucial to the functioning of certain sectors. Key aspects include:
- Sector Focus: Initially considering the care and support economy, with potential expansion to other sectors.
- Regulation: Likely to be more heavily regulated and potentially subject to caps.
- Addressing Specific Shortages: Designed to fill critical roles in sectors struggling with persistent workforce shortages.
This pathway demonstrates the government’s commitment to a holistic approach to workforce planning, recognising the value of workers in sectors facing critical shortages, and the government is continuing consultation regarding the design of this pathway.
Permanent Residence: A Clear Path for Sponsored Workers
One of the most attractive features expected under the Skills in Demand Visa Australia, is the provision of Permanent Residence Pathways for all temporary sponsored workers. This represents a major shift from the previous system and offers several benefits:
- Attracting Global Talent: The promise of a clear route to Permanent Residence makes Australia a more attractive destination for skilled workers considering international moves.
- Employee Retention: Businesses can use the potential for Permanent Residency as a powerful tool for retaining valuable employees.
- Long-term Workforce Planning: Employers can invest in training and development with greater confidence, knowing that sponsored employees have the option to stay in Australia long-term.
Preparing Your Business for the Skills in Demand Visa Australia
As we approach the implementation of this new visa system, businesses should start preparing now to take full advantage of the opportunities it presents:
- Review Your Workforce Strategy: Assess your current and future skills needs against the new visa pathways.
- Consider Accredited Sponsorship: Explore the benefits of becoming an accredited sponsor under the new system.
- Stay Informed: Keep up to date with the latest developments and timelines for the new visa’s implementation.
- Seek Expert Advice: Consult with experienced migration agents to understand how the changes will affect your specific business needs.
At Interstaff, our team of Registered Migration Agents is here to guide you through these changes. With over 35 years of experience in Australian immigration law, we can help you navigate the new Skills in Demand Visa system and optimise your global talent strategy.
How Interstaff Can Help | Visa to Australia
Interstaff is an Australian immigration consultancy specialising in providing strategic visa and migration solutions to engage global talent since 1988.
We specialise in providing HR professionals, business owners, and their teams with strategic visa and migration solutions to engage highly skilled professionals from around the world for temporary and long-term work requirements.
Based in Perth, Western Australia, we provide services across the nation and worldwide, offering a localised approach with a global reach.
To find out more about Interstaff and how our Registered Migration Agents can assist you, we encourage you to get in touch.
On behalf of my family and I, we would like to thank the staff at Interstaff for working around the clock to achieve our goal of Permanent Residency. They are a great team of professionals and handled our case with very high standards. We greatly appreciate it – thank you!
MICHAEL & VIOLET, PERMANENT RESIDENCE VISA
We applied for the Offshore Partner 309/100 Visa with the advice and representation from the team here and am happy to say, after a very long period apart from my partner due to Covid, our application recently got granted the 309 Visa with my partner looking to arrive shortly and our plan is to apply for the 100 visa mid/late next year. I highly recommend the team at Interstaff for any Partner Visa applications and I feel the fee is well worth the peace of mind you have given the high level of experience the team here offers and knowing you will be represented correctly/reliably based on the evidence you provide.
ALEX , PARTNER VISA
