July 1 saw a number of changes being introduced that migration agents in Australia will need to get their heads around. The following is a summary of some of these changes.
Changes to Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Consolidated Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)
From July 1, the occupations of Hospital Pharmacist, Retail Pharmacist, Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics), Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical), and Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) will no longer be on the SOL. They will, however, continue to be listed on the CSOL.
The occupation of Anatomist or Physiologist has been removed from the CSOL following an ANZSCO review, while the occupations of Procurement Manager, Nutritionist, Intellectual Property Lawyer, Archaeologist, Hydrographer and Kennel Hand have been added.
For the full CSOL, click here.
New e600 Visitor visa online lodgement
A new Visitor (subclass 600) visa has been introduced that will replace the Tourist (subclass 676) visa. This is for people who want to travel to Australia as tourists, for business or to visit family.
If your client is outside of Australia and wanting to apply for the 600 visa online, they must possess a passport for one of the countries listed here. If they are in Australia and would like to apply, they must currently be holding a substantive visa and not have an 8503 "No Further Stay" condition attached to it.
Changes to Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa
As of July 1, all Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas will be processed by Temporary Visas in Brisbane and Adelaide (as opposed to General Skilled Migration). The Department of Immigration and Citizenship says this change should have "minimal impact" on your clients.
If you have already lodged an application for this visa on behalf of a client, your new case officer will contact you. For pre- and post- lodgement and allocation or general enquiries, contact the numbers listed here. These immigration visas can be lodged either electronically or in hard-copy.
The following have also undergone changes:
• The class of persons applying for Temporary Work - Short Stay Activity (subclass 400) visas - click here to find out more.
• Visa pricing arrangements - see our previous article on this subject, and visit this website for information on subclass 457 visa pricing changes.
To learn more, please visit CommLaw and click on "Legislative Instrument". You will then need to scroll down the page until you find the "Migration Regulations 1994" headings.
For information on the Migration Amendment (Temporary Visas) Bill, visit this website.