Worker Visa Information
Topics- General skilled migration - GSM
- Employer sponsored workers - Temporary and Permanent
- Other Temporary Workers
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General skilled migration - GSM
There is a shortage of skilled workers in Australia so there’s no better time to find out if you qualify for GSM.
Changes were made to the GSM program effective 1 September 2007, including:
- Increased English language threshold requirement
- More points for strong English language skills
- More points for advanced tertiary qualifications
- Greater emphasis on skilled work experience and Australian work experience
- Limiting MODL points to applicants with 12 months skilled work experience
- Introduction of a new 18 month temporary work visa for eligible graduates
Visa options for GSM
Effective 1 September 2007 DIAC has condensed the number of visas in the GSM categories into the following 9 sub-classes:
- Skilled – Independent 175
- Skilled – Sponsored 176
- Skilled – Independent 885
- Skilled – Sponsored 886
- Skilled – Regional 887
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored 475
- Skilled – Regional Sponsored 487
- Skilled – Graduate 485
- Skilled – Recognised Graduate 476
This new range of visas allows applicants to apply independently and not rely on an employer to sponsor them. There are also options for sponsorship or nomination by a State or Territory government. There is also the possibility of sponsorship by a close relative who lives in designated areas of Australia if the applicant is also on a provisional visa.
Applicants may also include members of their family unit eg partner and dependent children.
Applicants for GSM must:
- Be under 45 at time of application
- Have an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List -SOL.
- Have competent English for all occupations except trade occupations will be required to meet vocational English.
- Have recent skilled work experience or have recently completed an eligible Australian qualification
- Have had their skills assessed by the relevant assessing body
- Pass the points test or reach the relevant pool
mark.
Points are awarded for:
- Skill
- Age
- English language ability
- Specific work experience
- Australian work experience
- Australian qualifications
- Occupation in demand (and job offer)
- Living and studying in regional Australia
- Partner’s skills
- Relationship (for Skilled-Australian sponsored visa applicants only)
- State/territory government nomination
- Sponsored by a close Australian relative living in a designated area where application already holds provisional visa
- Fluency in community language
*Contact us now for a personal visa assessment for our advice on your options for migration to Australia.
Pass marks for new visas subclasses:
|
|
Pass mark |
|
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175) |
120 points |
|
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176) |
100 points |
|
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) |
100 points |
|
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) |
100 points |
|
Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) |
120 points |
|
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) |
100 points |
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Employer sponsored workers - Temporary and Permanent
Employers requiring skilled workers either on a temporary or permanent basis may sponsor them for an Australian visa. These workers can either be overseas or already temporrily in Australia.
Temporary
Under the employer sponsorship program employers may sponsor workers for a 457 visa to work in Australia for up to 4 years. Employers must firstly obtain sponsorship approval and then nominate a specific occupation. Applicants can then apply for a 457 visa. Family members may also be included in the application.
Permanent
The Employer Nomination Scheme allows Australian employers to nominate an overseas worker for permanent migration when a particular position cannot be filled from the Australian workforce. Under the new priority processing direction of 23 September 2009, these applications will be processed quickly ie usually in a matter of a few months. However, it is important to lodge a ‘decision ready’ application with all the supporting evidence and documents to enable the Department to make a decision quickly.
The employer and employee must however satisfy all eligibility requirements before the permanent visa is granted.
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Other temporary workers
Working holiday makers
Australian has reciprocal working holiday maker programs with Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden Taiwan and the UK.
The program allows applicants to have a holiday in Australia as well as work for any one employer for 6 months. Holders may be eligible for a 2nd visa if they have done seasonal work in an eligible regional area for at least 3 months whilst on their 1st working holiday visa.
To be eligible for this visa you must:
- Be an eligible passport holder
- Be aged between 18 and 30
- Have no dependent children
- Have a return ticket or sufficient funds for a return ticket
- Have sufficient funds to support themselves on arrival in Australia
Whilst in Australia these visa holders may apply for a 457 sponsored work visa or a few other visas which would allow them to remain in Australia.
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