20 July 2021
2021 has been a changeable year for everyone due to the effect of COVID-19, including migration differences, lockdowns, and travel bans from the Australian government. However, times are transposing, and the Australian government jobs on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List(PMSOL).
The expanded PMSOL for 2021 now classifies 41 priority occupations, including engineers, chefs, IT, to fill onshore skill space and provide jobs to fill onshore skill gaps and aid in job creation by allowing skilled workers in Australia. So that skilled workers will be able to have workers to Australia. As a result, more skilled workers will be eligible to have their visas for skilled migration by the Department of Home Affairs.
While the current skilled migration occupation list or ANZSCO Code will remain active and visa applications will be processed as per the PMSOL, and priority will be given to the nomination and visa application in the following visa types:
- Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (482)
- Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional Visa (494)
- Employer Nomination Scheme Visa (186)
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme(187)
Candidates and existing employer-sponsored visa holders on the PM SOL can also request a travel exemption to enter Australia during the current border shutdown.
Latest Updates on Australian Immigration
1.Students coming to Australia
If you hold a Student Visa but are not currently residing in Australia, you are inspired to continue your studies online. Despite this, restrictions are still in place on travel. If you don’t have a student visa for study, you are recommended to encourage to continue your studies online while you wait for Student Visa Subclass 500. An online study outside Australia because of the COVID-19 travel ban will apply to coexisting and new student visa holders.
Students affected by the COVID-19 travel ban can apply for a temporary graduate visa outside Australia. If you are appealing outside Australia, you need to hold a student visa for the past 12cmonths to apply for a temporary graduate visa.
Students affected by COVID-19 travel restrictions can apply for and be granted a Temporary Graduate visa outside Australia. But they have to fulfill all the requirements mentioned by the State Government. If you are applying for a temporary graduate from outside Australia, you need to hold a student visa in the past 12 months. But you need to support yourself while studying in Australia.
2. Relaxed Cap on Working Hours
A student Visa Subclass 500 allows you to work for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight during your study. But, during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Home Affairs and Australian Border has become flexible to student holders allowing them to work beyond their usual work limits.
It would help if you continued to balance your study and work responsibilities even though there is more adaptability in work hours in specific sectors. If you have been working in some sector and have completed your course, you might be eligible for a COVID-19 pandemic Visa.
3. Global Talent Visa Program(Subclass 858)
There are various changes in global talent independent eligibility. The latest new students eligibility requirements for the Global Talent Independent Program were
Global Talent, Independent student eligibility changes, presented in the Procedural Instruction Update of 20 January 2021:
- Bachelor with Honours, Masters by Research graduates is no longer eligible.
- Ph.D. graduates completed within the past 3 years will be eligible.
- Ph.D. students near completing their degree must showcase that they have a prior record of exceptional professional achievement and meet the Australian Standards.
- Changes will attract the highest caliber Global Talent to support the creation of new industries.
4. Visa Name Change and Transitional Arrangements
From 27 February 2021, distinguished talent was renamed to global talent Visa (Subclass 858), in which a visa will be granted to the applicant residing outside Australia.
5. New Global Talent Priority Sector
On 17 December 2020, a new global talent priority sector came into existence. It focuses on resources, agro-food tech, Energy, Health Industries, Defense, Advanced Manufacturing and Space, Circular Economy, Digitech, Education, and more.
6. Pathways in the Global Talent Visa (Subclass 858)
Majorly there are 2 pathways in the Global Talent Visa. They are:
- Global Talent Visa Pathway
- Distinguished Talent Pathway
Those applicants who have relevant skills and experience in a priority sector will be referred to the Global Talent Visa. And, if they are invited to apply for a Global Talent Visa, you are encouraged to lodge a visa application at their earliest opportunity.
But Distinguished Talent Pathway is subjected to power demand and is only for the most exceptional individuals. It takes about 18-20 months for the Distinguished Talent Program Processing.
7. The Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce
Due to global amid COVID-19, the government launched a robust plan for economic growth. The main aim is to help turbocharge the Australian economy to create quality jobs for Australians. Prime Minister makes the Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce.
The Taskforce is pointing exceptionally talented individuals and experts at the top of their field that drives changes. It involves the most successful companies with high growth potential and highly skilled professionals. It helps to connect business or industry with a highly skilled workforce.
8. Skilled Regional Visa Program(Subclass 887)
COVID acknowledgments became available to help Skilled Regional Visa. Eligible candidates may be able to claim grants to help them to meet their employment requirements.
9. Employer-Sponsored Visa Program
In March 2020, Updates to skills evaluating authorities were suspended because of the COVID-19 effects on the Australian labor market and consecutive occupation list. From 24 March 2021, the Employer Nomination Scheme has been changed to Trades Recognition Authority (ACECQA). Skills Assessments issued before those dates by the former specified assessing authorities.
10. Employer-Sponsored Visa Processing Times
All visa candidates are allotted on a priority basis. Generally, it may lead to some applications being processed faster than others even though they thought they have similar characteristics such as occupation and employer. First, you need to confirm with VEVO about the work rights of an onshore visa applicant.
The COVID-19 pandemic and the global economic decline have negatively impacted many industries and businesses. Hence, decision-makers are required to be satisfied that the candidates they are considering continue to meet relevant criteria for approval. If the application or nomination form is submitted before COVID, then they have to submit additional information.
11. Sponsorship Applications
When completing a TSS Sponsorship Application, the sponsors are asked to identify the related sponsorship by providing a related identification number. Do not forget to ensure the relevant sponsorship identification number is entered correctly in this section. If the number is not entered correctly, then the application will be linked to the wrong structure.
12. Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List
The government of Australia has introduced a priority migration skilled occupation of 17 occupations to prioritize the visa processing time. The PMSOL consist of 17 occupation list to recovery the critical skills and support the Australian economy recovery. The 17 occupation list consists of primary health care, construction, and IT Sectors.
Enduring skilled migration capture will remain active, but the processing of these applicants will be given less priority, and processing time will be longer.
13. Visas for General Practitioners(GPs)
The Visa for GPs is the drive between the Department of Health and Home Affairs, which started on 11 March 2019. The aim of the Visas for GPs measure is to control the growth of overseas expert doctors entering primary care.
Health Workforce Exemption Certificates have been introduced to lessen the administrative burden on hospitals under the Visas for GP program. This exemption is applicable for temporary and provisional Visa Applicants(482 and 494). However, they have to submit HWC if they are applying for a permanent visa.
14. Transition to Permanent Residency Rights
On 24 November 2020, many changes have been taken to provide a range of permits to temporary skilled visa holders applying for permanent residence. But due to COVID-19, the restriction has been imposed, and many businesses and the general economy have gone down.
The changes let capable visa holders on the pathway to the government residence before the COVID-19 pandemic are made more flexible, and meetings were arranged.
15. Work History for Permanent Residence
The contemporary qualifying work history elements have been set to allow periods where a worker has been temporarily standing down, been on unpaid leave, or had to reduce working hours. This results from people left in Australia, or some companies have to refund the resume employment with their employer due to lack of work.
16. Seasonal Work Program
On 27 February 2021, a Visa Application Charge(VAC) refund is open for Pacific Labour Scheme Visa (Subclass 403) adversely affected by COVID-19. To claim a refund, visa holders need to travel before the border closure on 20 March because of COVID-19 restrictions. The visa must not have been canceled before a decision on the refund is made. Usually, a refund request is only made by the person displaying as a payer on the original VAC receipt.
17. Grant of shoreside Applications to Applicants Ashore
As a temporary COVID-19 was permitted from 27 February 2021, the migration regulations were changed to provide specific Partner and Child Visas grants to applicants who are located in Australia. The affected visas are:
- Partner Visa
- Prospective Marriage
- Child
- Adoption
- Dependent Child
The applicants will be concluded as fast as possible once all necessities and needs are met. On 24 March 2021, this grant was extended to particular Parent Visa Applicants:
- Parent Visa (Subclass 103)
- Contributory Parent Visa(Subclass 143)
- Contributory Parent Visa(Subclass 173)
A permission to allow visa grant to particular age group application who are outside Australia has been applied since March 2021 to the following visas:
- Aged Parent Visa (Subclass 804)
- Contributory Aged Parent (Subclass 864)
During the global pandemic, you are advised to travel offshore to meet the visa requirements. Visa candidates should ensure they maintain lawful status by applying for a temporary visa or bridging visa.
Looking for Help?
Are you confused about which visa types do you fit in? Don’t worry expert team of ACSRPLAustralia is ready to help you. We provide on-time delivery with 100% genuine advice. It helps you to migrate to Australia and settle here permanently.