Whilst our everyday life continues to be impacted from this pandemic and travel bans continue and regular visa changes are occurring, I thought I would provide you with an update which covers a range of these topics and more.

Travel Exemptions

– There is some evidence that more travel exemptions are being granted to Australian citizens and permanent residents to depart Australia. 

– Not all applications are being granted but indications are that more are. It is still extremely difficult for non – critical or essential workers to be granted exemptions to travel to Australia though. This is still the case even though people now must pay for their own quarantine.

Australia’s Farmers and Regional Businesses

– Australia’s farmers and regional businesses will be able to recruit much-needed workers from the Pacific and Timor – Leste under new agreements. 

– The agreement allows the resumption of recruitments under the Seasonal Work Programme and the Pacific Labour Scheme which connect Pacific and Timorese workers with Australian businesses to fill rural and regional workforce shortages when Australian workers are not available.

International students back into Australia

– The trial allowing international students back into Australia will commence in Adelaide and has been proposed to start in the first half of September 2020. This was previously cancelled or delayed due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Melbourne. 

– It is hoped that this will produce a model or template that can be used to allow international students back into Australia sooner rather than later.

Hong Kong Passport Holders

– If on 9/07/2020 a Hong Kong passport holder held a subclass 485 or 482 visa their visa has been extended to 08/07/2025. This applies equally to all secondary applicants or family members even if they don’t hold a Hong Kong passport. This will apply to all 485 and 482 visas granted from now on for Hong Kong passport holders. 

– You can check on VEVO to see that the extension has been granted.

– There will also be more options to apply for permanent residence announced in the next 5 years to further assist HK passport holders.

Health Care Workers 

– Health care workers who hold a working holiday visa (subclass 417) or a work and holiday visa (subclass 462) can now include health care work experience anywhere in Australia as “specified work” when applying for a 2nd or 3rd working holiday or work and holiday visa. For other holders of these visas they have to work in regional Australia and only in certain stipulated industries to become eligible for a 2nd or 3rd visa. 

– So now health care workers can work in Sydney or Melbourne and still be eligible for further visas. This only applies for applications submitted from 19/08/2020 onwards.

New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List

– New Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) of 17 occupations in the health care, construction and IT sector that will be able to enter Australia to assist in the country’s COVID recovery in a plan to supercharge both our health and economic response to COVID-19.

– Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.

– There is talk now that in March 2021 we will see new occupation lists for migration. We don’t have a lot of detail currently but the list could well be reduced given the impact of COVID-19.

– Labour market testing will still be required to be able to sponsor applications in these below occupations.

The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) include: 

• • • Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
    • Construction Project Manager (133111)
    • Mechanical Engineer (233512)
    • General Practitioner (253111)
    • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
    • Psychiatrist (253411)
    • Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
    • Midwife (254111)
    • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
    • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
    • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
    • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
    • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
    • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
    • Developer Programmer (261312)
    • Software Engineer (261313)
    • Maintenance Planner (312911)
      

Things are very fluid at the moment as the coronavirus continues to impact our day-to-day lives. Please contact Four Corners Emigration for further information or help with your current visa situation at info@four-corners.com.au or 02 8904 0100.