The bad news is that both of the main political parties have made it part of their political agenda to cut migration numbers because they believe that the current inflows are not sustainable over the long term.

They are now using the catch-word “sustainable population growth” when talking about the future numbers for migration intake.

However, it is clear that the business sector does not agree with the political view. They see acute labour shortages on the horizon due to an aging population and a low birth rate. They depend on skilled migration to supply their labour needs.

The truth is that the domestic working age population in Australia is shrinking and therefore businesses have no alternative but to look to skilled migration to fill the gap.

In 2009 they granted visas to about 300,000 workers to come to Australia to work. That set the high water benchmark. It will most certainly go down this year and over the next couple of years. It could go as low as 175,000.

The competition for skilled occupation entry into Australia will clearly be getting a lot more intense.

Australian Visa Experts is able to help you find out quickly whether or not you have any realistic chance of getting a business, skilled, sponsored or student visa.

Just send in your enquiry to us from our website.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

There is a national debate going on right now about the sustainability of population growth in Australia. The government has just appointed its first Population Minister.

The recent May Federal Budget froze the overall permanent migration intake at 168,700.

However there was in INCREASE in SKILLED MIGRATION intake of 5750.

Right now the key to successful and fast tracked migration to Australia is the new high demand list published by the government for skilled occupations. See our earlier blog post on this.

Australian Visa Experts has the expertise and experience to assess your chances of success quickly and if you qualify to get your visa application lodged with minimum delay. If you don’t yet qualify for permanent visa we can assist you to find an employer sponsor to sponsor you on a temporary visa until such time as you qualify for a permanent visa.

The government is tightening up its laws, regulations and policies around migration, so if you truly wish to live and work in this beautiful country you had best move quickly.

We are on standby ready to assist you realize your dreams.

Australian Visa Experts

The new SOL (Skilled Occupation List) was released on Monday 17^th May. It will take effect on the 1^st July 2010. The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. As expected the list has been greatly reduced and occupations such as Cook and Hairdresser have been removed. The new list is available on the Department of

Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.html

2.     QUALIFIED MOTOR MECHANICS NEEDED!

Dear Visa Aspirants,

We have been advised by The Department of Economic Development, Tourism and the Arts of Tasmania that they, in conjunction, with a Tasmanian employer are seeking qualified Motor Mechanics. Their preference is for applicants who have had a positive skills assessment and a satisfactory IELTS (English language test) result. We can assist with this process and provide further details (i.e. job description) should you believe you have the skills, work experience and qualifications.

Please contact us for further details.

Australian Visa Experts

The two main political parties are arguing over the issue of how many migrants per year is sustainable in Australia.

Business is very concerned that the intake not be reduced so that they cannot find the skilled workers they need if their demand for certain skills exceeds what is available to them from the local employment market.

There is another issue to - the aging population. In 40 years the project more than 8 million Australians will be aged 65 of more. Right now only 3 million are aged 65 or more. So that is a very big increase and it raises concerns as to how aged care will be financed out of taxation if there are not enough younger people in the work force paying tax.

Most commentators agree that Australia cannot afford not to take in at least 180,000 migrants a year.

So this is good news for potential migrants IF you have the right sort of skills needed by Australia now and into the future.

There is also a much bigger emphasis now on having good English speaking skills.

The indications are that the most favored skills needed now and over next decade will be more white collar than blue collar and will favor professionals in manufacturing and administrative roles.

Demand will continue to strengthen for temporary 457 visas.

Australian Visa Experts is offering a paid service to help match qualifying skilled workers with employers to sponsor them under a 457 visa.

If you are interested in such assistance please use our special enquiry form by using FIND A SPONSOR from our Menu.

We look forward to helping you.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

LABOUR TARGETS SKILLS SHORTAGES

The federal government is planning a series of training, immigration and infrastructure reforms to address worsening skills shortages as the resources boom adds an expected $92 billion the economy over the next 5 years.

Options being explored include new models for vocational education and on-the -job training as well as more targeted temporary skilled migration to quickly meet industry demands.

Employers and trainees could win new financial incentives to encourage the take up of apprenticeships as part of the overhaul of all state and federal training incentives being considered by a government taskforce.

Now is a good time to be getting the right quality advice to position yourself to take advantage of this change in circumstances and changes in government policy.

Just submit your enquiry from our website and we will get back to you.

If you need a sponsor - lodge your enquiry using our FIND A SPONSOR enquiry template that you will find on our website.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

There were similar ones about  nurses and engineers.

The article pointed out that more doctors, nurses and engineers are migrating to Australia now than hairdressers and cooks.

Times are changing and the skills shortage priorities are changing. What was the big shortage a few years ago is now no longer the main shortage.

The Australian Government is favoring applications from people who have the skills that Australia needs right now the most.

In last 12 months the number of visas issued for hairdressers fell 64% and 53% for cooks; whilst visas for doctors more than doubled.

Approvals for nurses, engineers, high school teachers and welders also rose over last year.

The government is overhauling its skilled migrant immigration laws and policy. It is calling for submissions on how a new points test to grade potential migrants should look. It wants the new system to work better in ensuring that only those who have skills that Australia really needs are allowed to get a skilled migrant visa. It is calling them the “highest value applicants”.

It is more critical than ever now that you use the services of a highly skilled migration agent who is totally abreast these changes.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

No longer can a student simply expect to get a work visa after completing the degree or qualification.

The new policy arrangement for skilled migration will give priority to skilled migrants who have a job lined up with an Australian employer. This can mean temporary sponsorship in temporary work or permanent job and permanent residency.

Australian Visa Experts is setting up a specialized MATCH MAKING service to help match up the right employee with the right employer.

If you are an overseas worker or student who wants to find an employer to offer you a job or sponsor you - use FIND A SPONSOR enquiry form from our website.

If you are an employer and would like to use our match making service to find a suitable worker for your business then use the FIND A WORKER enquiry form from our website.

Those who have the skills most needed now in Australia (see Skills Shortage List) AND an employer willing to sponsor them or offer a permanent job will be FAST TRACKED through the visa process.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

From 1 January 2010, in order for skilled migrant applicants to receive  a positive skills assessment they will need -

1. To hold a qualification which is assessed at the required educational level in a highly relevant field of study in the normal occupation; and

2. At least one year of relevant employment for all occupations; for some occupations, either one or two additional years of employment is required if the qualification has a shortfall in content relevance.

3. Employment must have been completed in the last 5 years.

These changes are being introduced on 1 January 2010 to ensure that migrants have the relevant skills and qualifications for employment in Australia in the nominated occupations. This will produce more job readiness and prospects of secure employment in the nominated field.

If these changes will apply to you please contact us for more information.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

Here is a list of the main reasons -

1. Lack of suitable qualifications;

2. Lack of solid job track record;

3. Lack of English competency;

4. Job qualifications do not match the occupations that are in high demand right now;

The times have changed since the Global Financial Crisis negatively impacted the Australian job market. The unions and the politicians want to protect the local job market and so it is harder now to get a visa to come and work here unless you have skills that in short supply from the local job market. If you have the skills that are in high demand here and you have a high enough competency in the English Language then you will be fast tracked into the country with a visa - either temporary (sponsored) or permanent (skilled migrant).

Go to the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) website and search for the Skills Shortages List or Occupations in high Demand and see if your occupation and skills are listed there.

If you are eligible to get a temporary work visa if you can be matched up with a suitable approved employer sponsor then use the FIND A SPONSOR enquiry form when submitting your enquiry to us. We cannot promise to find you sponsorship but we can help you in your search to find a sponsor. We charge a fee for this service.

All of this makes it abundantly clear - if you want to increase your chance of getting into Australia more than ever before you need to use the right migration agent who really understands the current situation here and who is right on top of all the changes in migration law and policy.

There is little point in submitting an enquiry to us if you have not yet checked whether or not you have a skill that is is short supply here or if your level of English will not meet the required standard of competency.

If you have a skill that is in high demand here and you have a sufficient competency in the English language we will quickly tell you whether or not you will qualify for a visa - either permanent or temporary; and if you do satisfy the visa eligibility requirements but need an employer to sponsor you we will conduct a detailed search with all the major recruitment companies to see if we can help you find an employer looking for someone just like you and who is willing to sponsor you.

We are ready to help you live your dream.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

Before 21 August 2009, interpretation of Schedule 5A of the English proficiency provisions with theMigration Regulations 1994 required that English language test results be submitted with Student visa applications and that the test must have been sat no more than two years before the application was made.

In a unanimous decision of the Full Federal Court of Australia dated 21 August 2009 the Court concluded the Migration Regulations do not prevent a visa applicant from relying on the results of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test taken after the date of the Student visa application.

This decision does not affect Student visa applications already decided.

Student visa applicants (both onshore and offshore) may still be eligible for visa grant if they sit an IELTS test and receive the requisite score after date of application but before date of decision. However Student visa applicants are encouraged to have sat an IELTS test and achieved a requisite score prior to lodging an application

Student visa applicants will not be eligible for a visa if they provide an English language test that is older than two years prior to the date of application.

When a Student visa application is lodged, the Department can make a decision on the information at hand.

If the results from an IELTS test are not submitted with a Student visa application, applicants should indicate that they have booked an IELTS test within a reasonable timeframe and the date of that test.

Applicants seeking a visa in the Schools sector will not be affected by this recent decision as they are already able to sit an IELTS test after application.
Note: Special English language test waiver provisions continue to be in place for school applicants who are in the PRC (excluding the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions).

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS