Summary of 1 July 2017 visa & migration changes

13 Jul Summary of 1 July 2017 visa & migration changes

1. Subclass 186 (ENS) and Subclass 187 (RSMS)

• Changes to the Skilled Occupation Lists
• English language requirements – Applications for ENS and RSMS made under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream lodged on or after 1 July 2017 will require an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6 in each component (Competent English).
• Skill exemption – The exemption from a skills assessment for applications made under the Direct Entry (DE) stream of both ENS and RSMS has been removed for those who have nominated earnings at least equivalent to the current Australian Taxation Office top individual income tax rate (AUD$180,001).
• Age – From 1 July 2017, applicants for the ENS and RSMS Direct Entry (DE) stream must be younger than 45 years of age. This applies to visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2017. Current age exemptions will still be available. The age requirement for the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream will remain at less than 50 years of age until 1 March 2018 when the less than 45 year age limit will become effective.
• New Training requirements for Subclass 186 ENS Direct Entry.
• Genuine need & must work as paid employee under nominator’s direct control – From 1 July 2017, all ENS and RSMS Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream and DE stream nominations must provide evidence of ‘Genuine need’ for the person to work in the nominated position. The nominee is required to work under the direct control of the nominator as a paid employee.

2. Subclass 457 (Temporary Work)

• Changes to Skilled Occupation Lists
• English language requirements – The English Language Salary Exemption removed
• New Training Benchmarks
• Mandatory Police Checks
• Mandatory skills assessments extended to included Chef and Cook for passport holders from Bangladesh, Nepal and Pakistan .
• New sponsorship accreditation arrangements

3. Subclasses 489, 189 and 190

• Age limit lowered to 45 years of age

4. New Zealand pathway to permanent residence

• An additional pathway to permanent residence for New Zealand Special Category visa holders has been introduced. This is for New Zealand Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) holders who were usually resident in Australia on or before 19 February 2016 and who, at the time of lodging an application, have resided in Australia for at least five years.

For any assistance with your visa application, contact Australian Immigration and Visa Solutions on info@mcalegal.com.au today.