New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

New ministerial directions for processing skilled and student visas; Recognised Graduate visa caps before ceasing?

A ministerial direction for skilled visas prioritising regional areas and a ministerial direction for student visas prioritising offshore applications came into effect recently. The number of 476 visas to be granted this financial year will be 3,735 and this may be the last time this visa will be available.

Read More

PC report: abolish business skills visas, occupation lists, and some skill assessments; new aged and disability care visa, longer temporary visas and pathways to PR

PC report: abolish business skills visas, occupation lists, and some skill assessments; new aged and disability care visa, longer temporary visas and pathways to PR

Late last week the Productivity Commission provided its 5-year outlook and recommendations on how to boost Australia’s productivity. The review suggests abolishing business skills visas, removing occupation lists but increasing minimum income thresholds, creating a new visa for the aged and disability sector and more pathways to PR, and removing some skill assessments.

Read More

PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

PMSOL abolished: healthcare and teaching occupations take over

A creature of COVID, the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) was abolished last week and replaced with more back-to-business processing priorities except for healthcare and teaching occupations which now take the highest priority.

Read More