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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Pre-election rush: DAMAs signed for Warrnambool, Orana, South Australia

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Pre-election rush: DAMAs signed for Warrnambool, Orana, South Australia

In what may be the last act by the current Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) were signed late last week for Warrnambool, Orana and South Australia. With an election looming, these agreements formalise negotiations between State and Federal Governments so local businesses can use Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas to fill critical skill shortages not covered by the standard business sponsor program.

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DAMA Day: Designated Area Migration Agreements - Two for SA, One for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in WA

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DAMA Day: Designated Area Migration Agreements - Two for SA, One for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in WA

Three new Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) of five years in duration were confirmed yesterday: two for South Australia and one for Kalgoorlie-Boulder in Western Australia. These agreements were made to arrest population decline and fill critical skill shortages not covered by the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program under a standard business sponsorship.

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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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