187 and 489 visas to be replaced on 16 Nov 2019; new permanent 191 regional visa available from 16 Nov 2022; GSM points test changes

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187 and 489 visas to be replaced on 16 Nov 2019; new permanent 191 regional visa available from 16 Nov 2022; GSM points test changes

The regulations for the new regional visas have been written and will come into effect on 16 November 2019. From that date, Subclass 489 – Skilled - Regional (Provisional) visas will be replaced with the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa, and Subclass 187 – Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visas will also be replaced (except for transitional arrangements) with a provisional Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, which will be parachuted into the employer sponsored temporary work visa program.

Surprisingly, instead of two new visas, there will also be a third, the permanent Subclass 191 – Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa, that will be available from 16 November 2022 for 491 and 494 visa holders who have held these visas for at least three years, complied with their visa conditions and meeting income requirements.

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482/TSS update: major investor accreditation for standard business sponsors; aged care labour agreements; religions get assistants

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482/TSS update: major investor accreditation for standard business sponsors; aged care labour agreements; religions get assistants

A flurry of announcements at the end of last week regarding the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program included adding another category for business to become accredited standard business sponsors, accepting applications for labour agreements for aged carers, and adding religious assistants to Minister of Religion labour agreements.

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Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

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Business sponsor shame list to begin 13 December 2018; Powers to request tax file numbers; Clarity on review rights for refused sponsored visas

New regulations will come into force on 13 December 2018 that will see the Minister of Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs publish a list of sanctioned business sponsors, what obligation they breached, and the sanction they received.

The Secretary of the Department of Home Affairs will be able to request from visa applicants, sponsors, and nominators, tax file numbers of visa holders and former visa holders for many temporary and permanent skilled visas. The ramifications of this may see more visas refused and cancelled.

Lastly, amendments have been made to give more certainty to sponsored or nominated workers whose visa applications are refused to seek review at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

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RIP training benchmarks, SAF levy commencing 12 August 2018; 457/TSS nomination validity extended

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RIP training benchmarks, SAF levy commencing 12 August 2018; 457/TSS nomination validity extended

Training benchmarks for employer sponsored temporary and permanent visas will be abolished on 12 August 2018, replaced with the Skilling Australia Fund Levy. There will also be important changes to nominations applications for Subclass 457 - Temporary Work (Skilled) visas and Subclass 482 - Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visas.

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