Updates for Australian visa-holders
New Skill Select webpage
The Department of Home Affairs has recently revamped the SkillSelect webpage where skilled visa applicants can complete an expression of interest in migrating to Australia. The new page is easier to understand and has been redesigned, resulting in an improved user experience.
As well as explaining what SkillSelect is and how the expression of interest and invitation process works, we have also included a section on ‘Why Australia’. This includes two new videos featuring recent migrants who are loving their new lives and careers in Australia and a number of written testimonials from other successful migrants. There’s nothing quite like hearing it straight ‘from the horse’s mouth’. You can check out the new webpage here.
Global Skills Attraction network
In line with recent Australian Government announcements to increase the permanent Migration program to help address Australia’s skill shortage, and the new Ministerial Direction No. 100, the role of the former Global Talent Officer (GTO) network has been realigned into a new model—the Global Skills Attraction (GSA) officer network. GSA officers cover key regions and are located in Washington DC, London and Singapore (from early February 2023), with coverage for South Asia and the Middle East provided by an officer based in Australia.
The purpose of the GSA officer network is to target and attract a large volume of skilled migrants in priority sectors to Australia through the permanent skilled Migration Program. Under their broadened remit, GSA officers no longer consider and endorse requests for priority processing of an Expression of Interest from individuals or agents on behalf of individuals for the Global Talent visa. The GSA team work closely with the BIRO network to engage with relevant state and territory counterparts and support offshore promotion of skilled migration needs.
Working Holiday Makers
On 19 January 2022, the six-month work limitation for Working Holiday Makers (WHM) was temporarily relaxed. The relaxation of this condition was initially in effect until 31 December 2022, and it has now been extended until 30 June 2023. This allows WHMs to work with any one employer for the duration of their visa without requesting permission. Any work that is carried out before 1 July 2023 will not be counted towards the 6-month limitation period.
For more information, please visit our website: WHM 6 month work limitation (homeaffairs.gov.au)
For details on Tourism Australia’s Work and play the Aussie way see: Work and play the Aussie way.
Pacific Engagement visa
On 25 October 2022, as part of the Federal Budget, the Government announced a new permanent Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) for nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.
The PEV will boost permanent migration from the Pacific, grow Australia’s Pacific and Timor Leste diaspora and encourage greater cultural, business, investment, and educational exchange between Pacific Island countries, Timor-Leste and Australia.
Commencing in July 2023, the PEV program will offer permanent residency for up to 3,000 nationals annually from participating Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste who have been selected through the visa ballot process.
For more information, please visit: Pacific Engagement Visa | Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (dfat.gov.au)
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme
On 25 October 2022, as part of the Federal Budget, the Government announced a number of measures to expand and enhance the PALM scheme, including:
underwriting employers’ investment in upfront travel costs for seasonal workers by covering costs that cannot be recouped from workers
improving workplace standards for PALM workers, including increased workplace compliance activities
allowing PALM workers on long-term placements to bring partners and children to Australia, subject to the Australian sponsor’s agreement
expanding the existing aged care skills pilot programs for aged care PALM workers.
The reform to the PALM scheme also incorporates the inclusion of key features of the Australian Agricultural Visa to grow the size of the scheme.
For additional information see: PALM scheme.
Skilled Independent (subclass 189) New Zealand stream priority processing and expedited citizenship pathway
As announced in the October 2022 Budget, the Government is proceeding with priority processing of Skilled Independent (Subclass 189) visa applications in the New Zealand stream. Amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 have been made to implement the streamlining measures and these amendments commence on 10 December 2022. For more information, see Skilled migration program - Recent changes.
As a complementary measure, those granted a New Zealand stream visa (and their New Zealand citizen family members also granted a Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa), will have their citizenship pathway expedited from 1 January 2023. For more information, see Eligibility Requirements.
These options are designed to more appropriately reflect the close ties our two nations have, and the very positive contribution New Zealanders make to Australia.