Monthly Archives: August 2023

The recent announcement by the Department of Home Affairs regarding new visa allocations for each Australian state has created ripples in the migration landscape. The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and New South Wales (NSW) have seen significant reductions in their nomination places for the upcoming financial year 2023-24, with ACT’s allocation being nearly halved.

ACT, known for its strong demand for skilled migration, has been granted only 1,200 places for the 491 and 190 visa subclasses, a decrease from previous years. Interestingly, the Business Investment and Innovation (Provisional) visa category has not been allocated any places. These reductions are part of the Australian Government’s broader efforts to address skills shortages and promote social cohesion through the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program, which plans to allocate a total of 190,000 places nationwide.

The heart of the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program lies in its careful composition tailored to specific needs. The Skill stream, constituting around 72% of the program, aims to enhance the country’s productivity while filling skill gaps across industries, including regional sectors. The department highlighted that categories within this stream, such as Employer Sponsored, Skilled Independent, Regional, State/Territory Nominated, and Global Talent, have been customized to accommodate diverse skill sets and demands.

NSW has also seen a decrease in its nomination places. The allocation includes 2,650 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 1,500 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa. This is a significant drop from the 8,800 places allocated to the state in the previous year (2022-23).

As these allocation changes resonate across the states, various industries are assessing the potential impact on their workforce needs and recruitment strategies. The reshaping of nomination places underscores the dynamic nature of Australia’s migration policy, where economic and demographic factors constantly interact.

Summary of 2023-24 State and Territory Nomination Allocations

The following table summarizes the visa allocations for the 2023-24 financial year across different Australian states and territories under the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa categories. Notably, no allocations have been made for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) during this period.

State and Territory Allocations:

• ACT: Australian Capital Territory has been allocated 600 places for both the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas.
• NSW: New South Wales has received 2,650 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 1,500 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
• NT: Northern Territory’s allocation includes 250 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 400 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
• QLD: Queensland’s allocation comprises 900 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 650 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
• SA: South Australia has been granted 1,100 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 1,200 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
• TAS: Tasmania’s allocation consists of 600 places each for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) and Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visas.
• VIC: Victoria’s allocation covers 2,700 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 600 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.
• WA: Western Australia’s allocation includes 1,500 places for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa and 850 places for the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa.

Overall Allocations:

The total allocations across all states and territories for the Skilled Nominated (Subclass 190) visa amount to 10,300 places, while the Skilled Work Regional (Subclass 491) visa is allocated 6,400 places. Notably, no allocations have been made for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) for the specified period.

Originally designed to enhance job readiness, the “concurrent study” rule allowed international students in Australia to take additional courses alongside their main studies. Unfortunately, recent investigations have uncovered misuse of this rule, as some students were using it to switch to cheaper courses, leaving their primary university programs behind.

The use of concurrent study has risen significantly, with 17,000 concurrent enrollments reported in the first half of 2023. This is a stark contrast to the combined 10,500 enrollments during the same period in 2019 and 2022.

To tackle this problem, Education Minister Jason Clare has announced a change aimed at preventing what he calls “predatory ‘second’ providers” from enrolling students before they complete the required six months at their initial institution. This step seeks to prevent practices that could weaken education quality and harm the economic benefits of international education, an industry that’s a crucial part of Australia’s economy.

In addition, the government wants to ensure the financial stability of international students. Starting October 1st, foreign students applying for a visa will need to show evidence of A$24,505 ($15,693) in savings. This requirement is a 17% increase from the current amount and considers higher living costs students might face during their time in Australia.

Australia’s quick response demonstrates its commitment to maintaining the reputation and value of its international education sector. By closing this loophole and enforcing stricter financial standards, the government aims to uphold the industry’s quality and contribute to the country’s economic stability.

When you arrive in Australia, you’ll need to fill out a form called the Incoming Passenger Card. This form has different sections that you need to complete. This is usually provided to you in your flight juts before arriving in Australia or before boarding your last flight to Australia. If you did not receive it, you can request for one at the airport.

Let’s break down each part in simple terms:

Front Side:

1. Family Name: Write your last name in capital letters, like it’s written in your passport. If your name is too long, just use the available space.
2. Given Names: Put your first name as it appears in your passport. If you have a middle name, you can add it here.
3. Passport Number: Write your passport number.
4. Flight Number or Ship Name: Note down your flight number or ship name.
5. Intended Address in Australia: Write down where you’ll be staying while in Australia. For those residing in Australia it would be the home, for a tourist, they can include the first hotel or Airbnb they will be staying.
6. Planning to Live in Australia for a Year?: If you’re going to stay in Australia for at least a year, mark “Yes.”
7. Health Declaration: If you’re not an Australian citizen, answer these questions:
   • Tuberculosis: If you have tuberculosis, mark “Yes.”
   • Criminal Records: If you’ve been arrested or convicted, mark “Yes.”

Customs Declaration Section: You have to fill this part if you’re bringing certain things to Australia. If you have any doubt, it is best to mark it as YES and then you can discuss them with Australian Boarder Force officials when you arrive.

Answer these questions:

• Restricted Items: Declare things like medicines, steroids, illegal content, or weapons if you have them.
• Duty-Free Limits: If you bought more duty-free stuff than allowed, mark “Yes.”
• Expensive Items: If you’re bringing things worth more than $900, mark “Yes.”
• Business Items: If you’re bringing things to sell, mark “Yes.”
• Carrying More than $10,000: If you have over $10,000 cash, mark “Yes.”
• Food and Plants: Declare any food, plants, or animal products.
• Other Items: Declare things like dried fruit, traditional medicines, etc.
• Animal Products: Declare animals or animal-related stuff.
• Soil and Farm Animals: Declare if you have soil or were near farms.
• Recent Travel History: Declare if you’ve been in certain regions.
• Declaration: Confirm that your info is correct.

Back Side: Here’s what you need to do on the back:

• Your Contact Details: Give your phone number and email. You can share your full address or just the city.
• Emergency Contact: Share details of someone to contact in case of an emergency. This could be a friend or relative. If you do not have anyone in Australia you can even provide information of a relative in another country.
• Additional Information: Answer questions about where you came from, your job, and your reason for visiting.
• In the section marked A, B ,C – If you an Australian PR holder or citizen already made your first appearance in Australia mark C. The answer A is for those migrating for the firs time under PR.

The government will return the planning level for permanent migration in 2023-24 to 190,000 places. It had previously been increased to 195,000 in the Albanese government’s first budget last October.

It will allocate 137,100 places (around 70 per cent) to skilled migrants, in order to address persistent skill shortages. This is down slightly from 142,400 places in the 2022-23 program.
There will be 52,000 places allocated to the family stream, which is predominately made up of partner visas.

Partner and child visas will remain demand-driven.

Skilled visa applications priority

Skilled visa applications are processed in the following order of priority:​

1. Visa applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation.
2. For employer sponsored visas, visa applications where the applicant is nominated by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status.
3. Visa applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area.
4. For permanent and provisional visa subclasses, visa applications that count towards the migration program, excluding the Subclass 188 (Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional)) visa.
5. All other visa applications.​

For all categories above, priority will be given to holders of eligible passports.

Within each category above, for provisional and permanent skilled visa applications, priority is given to visa applications where the primary applicant is located outside Australia at the time the visa application is made.

AITSL is the skills assessment body that applies to most teaching occupations.

• Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher (ANZSCO 241111)
• Primary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241213)
• Middle School Teacher (ANZSCO 241311)
• Secondary School Teacher (ANZSCO 241411)
• Special Needs Teacher (ANZSCO 241511)
• Teacher of the Hearing Impaired (ANZSCO 241512)
• Teacher of the Sight Impaired (ANZSCO 241513)
• Special Education Teachers (nec) (ANZSCO 241599)

The English requirement can be satisfied in two methods.

Option 1

Completion of at least four full years of study (or part-time equivalent) in higher education (university) in Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America resulting in qualification/s comparable to the educational level of an Australian Bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher. This study must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification.

Or

Option 2 An Academic version of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Test Report Form (TRF) that shows a score of at least 7.0 for both Reading and Writing; and a score of at least 8.0 for both Speaking and Listening. The IELTS test scores must appear on a single IELTS TRF and be the result of a test undertaken during the 24 month period prior to submitting an application.

Recently the assessing body allowed One Skill Retake which allows the applicants to do one English exam to satisfy the above criteria.

Other questions on English that may be useful to bear in mind.

Can I do other language tests aside from IELTS to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement?

No. AITSL will only accept an Academic IELTS Test Report Form. We do NOT accept PTE, PEAT, ISLPR, TOEFL, Cambridge or any other form of English language test.

Does AITSL accept the IELTS Online and Indicator tests?

AITSL is unable to accept the IELTS Online and Indicator tests. AITSL only accepts paper-based and computer-delivered academic version tests which are conducted at IELTS test centres.

What type of qualifications can be considered towards meeting the study option of the English language criterion?

An AITSL skills assessment can consider qualifications that are:

• completed in any of the six listed English speaking countries that results in award of a qualification; • of at least one year full-time study duration; and

• comparable to the educational level of an Australian bachelor degree (Australian Qualifications Framework Level 7) or higher.

Please note that to fulfill the study option of the English Language criterion (Option 1), your total study must equal four full years in any of the six listed English speaking countries (Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom or the United States of America) and this study must include a recognised initial teacher education qualification. All components of the initial teacher education qualification including supervised teaching practice must be completed in one or more of the six countries listed.

Can recognition of prior learning or other credit transfer arrangements impact meeting the study option?

Yes, credit transfer arrangements, recognition of prior learning or advanced standing may impact how AITSL assesses an applicant’s ability to meet the study option which requires four full years of study in one of the listed countries.

Can a PhD be considered towards the study option of the English language criterion? AITSL will only consider a doctoral degree completed in one of the six listed English speaking countries to be a maximum of two years of full-time study towards meeting the study option of the English language criterion. Please note that the initial teacher education including the supervised teaching practice component must also have been completed in one of the six listed countries

​​​​​​​​​English language requirements generally apply to applicants wanting to study or work in Australia.

The Department of Home Affairs accepts scores from the following tests undertaken at a secure test centre for English language visa requirements: ​

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS), including One Skill Retake (OSR)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE)
• Cambridge English (CAE) (also known as C1 Advanced)
• Occupational English Test (OET), noting this is a test developed for health professional

​From 26 July 20​23 TOEFL iBT will no longer be offering English language tests for Australian visa purposes until further notice.

From 14 December 2022, IELTS One Skill Retake (OSR) is available for certain test takers. OSR allows test takers to retake one of the four test components in either reading, writing, speaking or listening (once only).

For Australian visa purposes, the Department will accept IELTS test results that include OSR, with the exception of applications for subclasses 476, 482, and 485​, which need scores from a single sitting/attempt.​​

VETASSESS the skills assessing body for many qualifications offers a Priority Processing service for General and Professional occupations which gives an opportunity to fast-track the application.

Priority Processing applications are completed and the outcome is provided within 10 business days.

There is high demand for Priority Processing, so applicants with evidence of an urgent need receive priority when places are allocated.

However, even if you do not have an urgent reason, you can still apply for Priority Processing. Applicants with evidence of an urgent need receive the first allocation of places, and any remaining slots are offered on a first-come-first-served basis to other applicants in the queue.

What is an urgent need?

Urgent reasons to apply for Priority Processing are:

• You have received an invitation from the Department of Home Affairs or an Australian state or territory government, which has an expiry date
• Your visa expires within eight weeks and you are unable to obtain another visa
• You are turning 33, 40 or 45 within eight weeks
• Your English test result (IELTS or PTE) expires within eight weeks
• Your Partner Skills Assessment or English test result expires within eight weeks

What does Priority Processing cost?

There is an additional cost of $806, excluding GST, for this service charged by VETASSESS from 9^th August.