Let's start by looking at what Training Benchmark A and B are.

Training Benchmark A is a contribution of 2% of payroll expenditure (payroll is calculated on the previous 12 months operation) to an industry training fund for the training of Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.  If there is no industry training fund then payment can be made into a recognised scholarship fund.

Training Benchmark B is evidence of spending 1% of payroll (payroll is calculated on the previous 12 months operation) on training for their employees who are Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents.  Training Providers prepare a training plan for the business to meet the training needs of that particular business.   This training plan needs to be attached to the documentation sent in to the DIBP for the purpose of demonstrating to the DIBP that the company has complied with it's training obligations.

A joint media statement from Andrew Robb – Minister for Trade and Investment, and Michaelia Cash – Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, states that "No existing occupations are being removed from the SOL, which currently lists 188 occupations that Australia needs."  Here is the full press release:

Chefs, bricklayers and wall and floor tilers will be added to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) from July 1 to help meet the skills needs of the Australian economy, as announced today by the Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon. Andrew Robb, and the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Senator the Hon. Michaelia Cash.

Minister Robb said the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency (AWPA) works independently of government to provide annual recommendations on the composition of the SOL to ensure it responds to Australia's changing skill needs.

Rebecca Paine from NAB, London will be presenting at the Migration Agent CPD seminar in London on 15th June 2014.

Rebecca Paine proudly calls both Australia and New Zealand home after living in both countries.

Following a number of roles across Bank of New Zealand, Rebecca decided to follow the well worn path from New Zealand and moved to the United Kingdom, where she now runs National Australia Bank's UK Migrant Banking Team.

NAB's migrant banking program helps anyone who is planning to move to, invest in, study in or take a working holiday in Australia set-up their banking in Australia up to 12 months before they plan to arrive.  As someone that has first hand personal migration experience, Rebecca is well place to help clients make the financial move to Australia.

Rebecca will be discussing how NAB can assist your clients with their move, including the setting up of your personal banking accounts and connecting your clients to NAB Specialists, who are available through out Australia, before your clients depart so they can hit the ground running.  

For more information or to contact Rebecca directly please see below.


Rebecca Paine  (nèe Joils)
Business Development Manager
National Australia Bank Group Migrant, Expatriate & International Student Banking     
      
* +44 (0)141 958 7392     Clydesdale Bank House
 +44 (0)79 2050 0238     Level 3
 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.     35 Regent Street
 +44 (0)207 434 0518     London
http://www.nabgroup.com/migrantbanking     SW1Y 4ND

Chefs, along with bricklayers and wall and floor tilers, will be added to the Skilled Occupation List from July, making it easier for suitably-qualified people to secure a visa to enter, live and work in Australia, reports The Australian.

Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Michaelia Cash said the addition of the three professions would be welcomed in regional areas where there was increased demand for these jobs but “a decrease in apprenticeship completions’’.

“As an island nation with a small population, a sustainable human capital strategy for Australia must be readily available to safeguard business from labour and skills shortages,’’ Senator Cash said.

According to news reports the government has capped the program at 43,990 skilled visas next financial year. For each of the professions on the list, the number of positions available is capped at 6 per cent of the occupation’s workforce.