Australian Immigration Daily News

Embracing innovation, technology and science is critical to powering Australian economy to provide jobs and high living standards for all Australians. The National Innovation and Science Agenda (NISA) sets a focus on science, research and innovation as long-term drivers of economic prosperity, jobs and growth.

Innovation is critical to improving Australia’s competitiveness, standard of living, high wages and generous social welfare net, but it is not the silver bullet. We must also build on the successful economic reforms of the 1980s and 1990s, lift government efficiency and improve competition, as proposed by the Government’s response to the Harper Review.

From 19 November 2018, Australian Biometrics Collection Centres (ABCCs) will commence collecting biometrics from visa applicants who are in Russia or Kazakhstan at the time of making a visa application to enter Australia, unless they are excluded or exempt from doing so under Australian Government policy.

As per Home Affairs’ press release, applicants who lodge their applications from this date will be sent a letter requiring them to attend an ABCC in person to provide their biometrics.  Applicants will need to contact an ABCC to make an appointment and have their biometrics collected.

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=50

More overseas nationals are enjoying the expansion of the working holiday visa programme.  Over the last month a number of changes took place to allow more individuals to migrate to Australia under the working holiday visa scheme as well as increase of cut off age for certain nationals.

Subclass 417 Woking Holiday and Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visas are designed to allow people 18 to 30 years old (inclusive) - except for Canadian and Irish citizens up to 35 (inclusive) - have their first extended holiday in Australia and work here to help fund their trip.

As the programme continues to expand, several legislative instruments were introduced to streamline the process.

Subclass 190 is designed for skilled visa applicants who have submitted an expression of interest (EoI) in SkillSelect and, after being nominated by a State/Territory government body, have received an invitation to apply for this visa. Subject to receiving an invitation to apply, persons can apply for the subclass 190 visa from in or outside Australia.  Each Australian state and Territory is responsible for managing their 190-visa intake.  This includes management of occupation lists as well as any other additional requirements imposed by the State.

From 29 November 2018, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) is replacing the current first-in, first-served system with a merit-based assessment matrix that will moderate supply and demand throughout the year and more effectively address the ACT’s skills needs. The 190 visa subclass will continue to focus on occupations that are listed as ‘in-demand’, and assess a range of factors that support successful settlement and contribution to the ACT economy, such as previous residence and other ties to the ACT, English proficiency, and employment in the ACT.

Impact on existing applicants:

Skilled News Letter – Migration Alliance Summary

Department of Home Affairs released their November edition of Skilled Newsletter.  Topics of interests include Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa, Employer Nomination Scheme, Transfer of Labour Agreements to online platform and more.

Migration Alliance brings you the following summary to help you to prepare your application under the new regime.