2020 Migration Changes

When it comes to migration in Australia, one thing that is certain is that there is always a change on the horizon.

So, what are the current migration laws and options?

New Regional Visas with PR Pathways

The Australian government announced 2 new regional visas which became available from November 2019.

The two new regional (provisional) visas are:

• Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional Visa
  • enable eligible skilled workers and their families to live, work and study in designated regional areas of Australia for 5 years
  • eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence visa after three years
  • applicants must be nominated by:
    • an Australian state or territory government agency (491 occupations list); or
    • sponsored by an eligible family member residing in a designated regional area and be invited to apply for the visa.

• Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored
  • requires employer sponsorship and the position must be likely to exist for 5 years
  • must have a suitable skills assessment (on the 494 occupations list) and at least 3 years’ skilled employment.

** Holders of the new Regional Provisional visas (491 visa and 494 visa) will be eligible for Medicare.

It’s anticipated under the new visas, that the pathway to residency will involve working in the regional for 3 years earning a specific amount of money per year and then be able to pathway to permanent residency through a new visa to be introduced in November 2022, the 191 Permanent Residency (Skilled Regional) visa.

Extra 1 or 2 year visa for international graduates from regional institutions

A new initiative for an additional Temporary Graduate visa with an extra one or two year of post-study work rights has been announced for international students who:

• graduate from the regional campus of a registered university or institution with a higher education or postgraduate qualification; and
• maintain ongoing residence in a regional area while holding their first Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa

The second Temporary Graduate visa will require ongoing residence in a regional area.

** Regional Australia: all of Australia excluding Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane

Visa for migrant farmworkers

Australian horticulture farmers will now able to sponsor overseas workers to work in their farms from January 2020. The new arrangement offers the workers concessions in the English language requirements and minimum salary that a sponsoring employer is required to pay them. What this means is that the English requirement is now lower for these workers. Further, with salary concessions it is easier for employers to hire them. Not only did the requirements required for migrant workers relaxes, pathway to permanent residency are also now offered to these applicants.

If you would like to enquire about your visa rights and options, Straits Lawyers are here to help. Simply send us an email at info@straitslawyers.com or give us a call on 8410 9069 to arrange an appointment for an online interview.

Please note that this article does not constitute legal advice and Straits Lawyers will not be legally responsible for any actions you take based on this article.