Labour agreements: A small but growing part of Australia’s skilled migration program

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Labour agreements: A small but growing part of Australia’s skilled migration program

A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request provides keen insights into labour agreements up to July 2018, including processing times, popularity, and its use compared to the standard business sponsor regime for Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visas and the Subclass 186 – Employer Nomination Scheme visa under either the Temporary Residence Transition stream or the Direct Entry stream.

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Parent visas: Permanent parent visa caps cut by 15 per cent

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Parent visas: Permanent parent visa caps cut by 15 per cent

The number of permanent parent visas that can be granted this program year has been cut by 15 per cent for both the contributory and non-contributory parent visas. Other family visas, which include aged dependent relatives, remaining relatives and carer visas increased by 12 per cent, however, this will probably do little in arresting their processing times. There is one very good political reason for these changes.

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494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

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494/491 visas: Regional postcodes and certifying bodies registered

The legislative instrument that consolidates what is defined as a regional area and designated regional area has been registered. This affects a number of visas, but perhaps affect the Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa and Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visas most. The list of Regional Certifying Bodies (RCBs) for 494 nominations have also been registered.

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494 visas: Occupation list, age and skill exemptions; 186 TRT English exemption disappears; 491 pass mark at 65 points

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494 visas: Occupation list, age and skill exemptions; 186 TRT English exemption disappears; 491 pass mark at 65 points

A number of instruments were registered yesterday, primarily in preparation for the new Subclass 494 – Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, including the occupation list, and age, skill, and English exemptions. These may turn into a Halloween curse for many as skill assessments will be required for all nominated occupations unless the visa applicant is one of the exempted few. Another concern is that alternative requirements for evidence of English language for Subclass 186 – Employer Sponsored visas under the Temporary Residence Transition stream will be spookily removed. What did not shock was that the minimum number of points for a Subclass 491 – Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa will be set to 65.

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