We are mere 5 days away from 1 July and the changes to immigration requirements are becoming clearer.  Here is a summary update in relation to some of the changes announced recently:

RSMS – Removal of Perth from the scheme

Western Australia has always been a proud supporter of attracting foreign nationals to fill genuine skills shortage across the state.  Late last week, the McGowan Government announced that Perth is removed from the Regional Migration Scheme.

By way of background, Subclass 187 (RSMS) is a permanent visa for skilled workers who are willing to work in regional Australia.  The purpose of this visa is to allow employers who are based in regional areas to have accessed to skilled labour.  Current processing time for RSMS visas is approximately 11 months.

The reasoning behind this decision by the McGowan government was to deliver its election promise and keep Western Australian jobs in WA. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull wrote to the Premier confirming that the Federal Government had agreed to Mr McGowan's request to have Perth removed from the RSMS.  The press statement issued by the state government states the following reason for removal of Perth from RSMS

“Given the change in the State's economic circumstances and with widespread unemployment, it is no longer suitable for Perth to be included in the RSMS….our economy has changed dramatically since the height of the mining boom and we need to do everything we can to get Western Australians back to work."

The following regions remain on the list of eligible regions for WA:

• Gascoyne;
• Great Southern;
• Kimberley;
• Mid West;
• Peel;
• Pilbara;
• South West; and
• Wheatbelt.

Functional English language Requirement Expanded:

Recent amendments to subsection 3(2) of the Immigration (Education) Act 1971 specify additional evidence which may be submitted in support of proving functional English:

“the person has been assessed as having achieved Level 3 proficiency or above under the Australian Core Skills Framework (as in force or existing from time to time) across each of the core skills of learning, reading, writing and oral communication”

Functional English is a requirement across a number of visa subclasses.  Previously, the following was used to prove functional English:

• Holding a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Canada, New Zealand, or the Republic of Ireland
• An International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test result of an average band score of at least 4.5 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, listening and writing
• A Test of English as a Foreign Language internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) test result of a total band score of at least 32 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening
• A Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic test result of an overall band score of at least 30 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening
• A Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) test result of an overall band score of at least 147 based on the four test components of speaking, reading, writing and listening and the test must have been taken on or after 1 January 2015
• A positive assessment by an Adult Migrant English Program service provider in Australia that you have functional English
• Completed all years of primary education and at least three years of secondary education in an educational institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English
• Completed at least five years of secondary education in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English
• Successfully completed at least one year of full-time study or equivalent part-time study towards a degree, higher degree, diploma, or associate diploma in an institution in Australia and all instructions were in English
• Completed a degree, a higher degree, a diploma or a trade certificate that required at least two years of full-time study or training in an institution in or outside Australia and all instructions were in English

More changes will be posted here as they are announced.  Feel free to contact me with any questions concerning the changes: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

MARN 1171402