New Transformations in immigration rules to Australia from March 2018 onwards

As we know that Australian DIBP Department of Immigration and Border Patrol has been replaced 457 visa from March 2018 with Temporary Skills Shortage, the ENS Employer Nomination Scheme and RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) visa will also be reformed, limiting, eligibility criteria for future visa applicants.

The announcement was made by DIBP at National Migration Conference which it said the TSS visa will be enforced within the first fortnight of March 2018.

This visa will be divided into two categories– STSOL Short Term Skilled Occupation List) and the MLTSSL (Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List).  Occupations come under STSOL are Finance Manage, Human Resource Manage, Management Consultant Research and Development Manager, Sales and Marketing Manage, Advertising Specialist Advertising Manager, etc.

As per the sources, the department will soon update the occupation list ever six months.  At the same time, the occupations which could be removed are Accommodation and Hospitality Managers, Building Associate, Recruitment Consultant and Hair or beauty salon manager.  Talking about TSS visa, DIBP will allow visa applicants flexibility to transform employers during their visa tenure.

In the meantime, occupations that come under STSOL eligible for two years visa which one onshore renewal will be considered for an additional two years. The DIBP said if one applies to renew offshore, the one-time restriction will not be applicable. Talking about MLTSSL, it would offer to work in the country for four years.

People who will work on the MLTSSL are eligible to apply for a pathway to permanent residency after completing three years.

As per the regulation passed by parliament, employer has to need to pay levy to the Skilling Australian Fund per person on yearly basis from March 2018. The employers annual revenue must be less than AU 10 million to pay AUD1200 per year.  If employers are earning more than that figure, they would need to pay AUD 1800 per year.  In other words, employers nominating people for four years have to pay fourfold the yearly levy during nomination.

Employers who will be holding their Standard Business Sponsorship for less than twelve months in March 2018 has to pay training levy. They will not have to show the proof of meeting the training requirements for less than a year.

The candidate has to score of 5 in IELTS or equivalent test with at least 4.5 in each for the occupations fall under STSOL. Occupations come under MLTSSL, you need to score minimum of 5 points in each of the test component in IELTS or equivalent to the test.

Candidate has to have at least two years of experience for the particular occupation. DIBP is thinking to give flexibility to assess what is applicable. The market salary rate was fixed in April 2016 at AUD 53,900 and employers have to pay applicant as per the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold. By this program employers could not discriminate native Australians.

For the existing 457 visa holders,  the government has announced that people who had held or were applicants for a 457 visa on 18 April 2017  and intending  to apply via  Temporary Residence Transition Stream for permanent residency, the age limit will be the same which is 50 years old, , no restrictions will be placed on occupations, provided applicants are holding the same position and are working with the same employer as their 457 and their required work experience will continue to be two years.

From March 2018 onwards employers will have to pay a levy of AUD5000 every year to skilling Australians Fund if they are capable of having annual turnover of more than AUD 10 million. Employers with annual revenues of below AUD 10 million need to pay only AUD 3,000 every year.

Existing holders of 457 visa must need to score a minimum 6 in each components of IELTS or equivalent test. The waiver is removed for applicants earning an income of more than AUD 180,000. Moreover, candidates should have work experience of three-year from March 2018 onwards.

The maximum age for Direct Entry must be 45 during lodging application between 1 July 2017 and March 2018. If you are the one who is looking to work in Australia, visit West Highlander, a renowned immigration consultancy to apply for Australian visa.