Whilst nationals from most of the top ten poorest countries in the world have made it to the department of immigration’s list for expedited processing of temporary work visas (sc400), economic giants China and India have been notably left out of the recently released list with no reasons provided.

Australia and China recently signed an intention to enter a Free Trade Agreement with several promises including simplifying of visa applications. India and Australia have also indicated that such an agreement is being negotiated and could well be signed in the near future. Both the leaders were here recently and even spoke at a joint session of both houses of the Australian parliament promising better trade ties.

Given this it may come as a shock to many that the recent government instrument IMMI 14/100 excludes both China and India from the expanded list of 197 countries and territories eligible to submit online applications for Temporary Work Visas. The list is over three-times the size of the previous list.

From 23 November, nationals from the countries listed in the instrument will be eligible to make online applications and are expected to enjoy faster processing of their visa applications eliminating the need to post or courier paper applications or make in-person visits to Australian DFAT offices.

The SC400 visa is for employers requiring foreign workers to travel to Australia to do short-term, highly specialised, non-ongoing work; participate in non-ongoing cultural or social activities at the invitation of an Australian organisation; or in limited circumstances, participate in an activity or work relating to Australia’s interests.

Generally, to be eligible, these worker need to have specialised skills, knowledge or experience that can assist Australian business; or have been invited to participate in an event by an organisation in Australia; or are required in Australia for exceptional circumstances of national importance, such as to assist following a natural disaster.

Recently the government doubled the maximum stay period for this visa from 3 months to 6 months.

The instrument can be found here: http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2014L01558