Migration

Genuine Student The Australian government has recently enforced tougher requirements for international students applying for a student visa to enrol at Australian universities and colleges. From 23 March, the Genuine Temporary Entrant criteria for the visa was...

Employers sponsoring visa holders must be aware of impending changes to the Migration Act, set to take effect later this year.  These amendments, prompted by recommendations from a  Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee report released on...

The Australian Financial Review recently released an article, written by Gus McCubbling and Samantha Hutchinson, interviewing one of Nevett Ford’s senior migration lawyers, Heather Dzviti, about her views on the migration law changes proposed by the Labor government....

On 26 March 2024, Jobs and Skills Australia released the draft Consolidated Skilled Occupation Released (CSOL). This list will be used as part of the work visa reforms that were flagged in Australia’s Migration Strategy.   Background Australia’s Migration...

Higher English language test scores applicable to apply for a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa have been introduced by the Australian Government. The changes also reduce the period in which the scores must have been achieved from three years to one year before...

From 1 July 2024 a number of new sanctions will come into force to further protect foreign workers from exploitation in Australia’s labour market. These amendments will come into force as part of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2024...

As part of the Australia-Un​ited Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (Australia-UK FTA)​​, individuals holding a passport from the United Kingdom (‘UK’) have access to a more stable working arrangement  in Australia through the Working Holiday Visa (‘WHV’) program. From 1...

Australia and India have forged a new path of collaboration through a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement in the form of the recently announced Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early – professionals Scheme (MATES). This groundbreaking initiative aims to...

VETASSESS  resumed taking new Pathway 1 skills assessment applications for the occupation of Plumber (General), ANZSCO code 334111, on Monday, February 12. Last September 2023, VETASSESS  paused acceptance of new Pathway 1 applications for Plumber (General) because...

The New South Wales Government in Australia has opened its Skilled Work Regional Subclass 491 program under Pathway 1: applying directly to Investment NSW if the applicant has an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer. The stated aim of this...

In a significant shift, the Federal government has finally acknowledged the pivotal role played by regional based employers in the country’s growth. Recognising the vital contribution of the regional sector and the potential of migration to revitalise communities, the...

In December 2023, the Australian Government released a series of significant planned reforms in Australia’s migration system in order to meet the future needs of the country. These are coined as the ‘Migration Strategy’. The Migration strategy is based around skilled...

Labour market testing, or what is more commonly known as LMT, refers to the process in which employers are required to demonstrate that no suitable Australian citizen or permanent resident is available and suitable to fill a particular position within their business...

From 25 November 2023, there has been a significant Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) policy change for subclass 485 visa applications. The DHA has announced the end of the COVID-19 concession period and posted a revised policy on its website. Notably,...

By 31 December 2023 all Working Holiday visa holders (subclass 417) and Work and Holiday visa holders (subclass 462) who have been working for their existing employer for 6 months must move jobs. We recommend visa holders and employer start making plans for this...

A number of positive changes are finally here for overseas workers in Australia. From 25 November 2023, TSS subclass 482 and 457 visa holders now have access to permanent residency via the subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) visa regardless of their visa...

The Working Holiday Maker (WHM) visa program consists of two categories: the Working Holiday (subclass 417) and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas. Individuals holding these visa subclasses are collectively known as Working Holiday Makers (WHMs). The primary...

On November 8th, the High Court of Australia delivered a ground-breaking verdict declaring indefinite immigration detention as illegal. This ruling, overturning a twenty year old practice initiated by the previous coalition government, has set off a series of hurried...

Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 Visa to Permanent Residency The Australian Department of Home Affairs has confirmed that on 25 November 2023 there will be changes implemented to the employer-sponsored permanent residency program. After the Employer...