Demand for temporary skilled migrant visas fell by 13% in the last Australian financial year ending June 30. This is clear evidence that the impact of the global economic downturn has curbed firms’ need for foreign workers on 457 visas.

It could well be that future demand for 457 visas by employers cold continue to fall as the government seeks to implement tough laws for the program commencing September 2009. These changes includes the planned introduction of “market rates” of pay for temporary skilled migrants. Visas will not be approved unless DIAC is satisfied that the pay conditions will be met by the sponsoring employer.

All occupations recorded a fall in 457 visas over 2008-09 with the exception of nursing, where the number of visas rose by 18%.

The 457 visa program is demand-driven and allows employers to bring in workers from overseas for up to 4 years. Many such workers eventually qualify to apply for PR (permanent residence) and especially if their occupation is listed on the Skills Shortages List (visit our website to check this).

In 2008-09 50,660 primary 457 visas were granted, down from 58,050 granted the previous year. Applications for future 457 visas were 45% lower in June 09 than in 08.

However the number of 457 visa grants among trade-based occupations increased in June 2009 over the previous month. This is interesting as it is hard to reconcile with the claim that there is a contraction in demand in the local trades market.

The signs are there that the Government’s stimulus package is working and that the economy is already in the process of rebuilding.

Again, we publish these details to keep those of you who are thinking of coming to Australia to work properly informed and updated as to the changes that are taking place so that you can better decide when to consider lodging an application.

The current environment for getting approved for a working visa has never been more complex and hence the risk of having your application refused by the Department of Immigration has never been higher than it is now. So it highlights the need to select a good quality migration agent to assess your prospects and take care of your visa application.

Australian Visa Experts does not engage in bartering over price of services provided. We offer a competitive and fair price that is aligned with what the Migration Agents Regulatory Authority recommends, but our principal focus is on expertise and quality and speed of service.

If you think you may be ready to apply - please drop us a line from our website and we will take it from there.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

On 1 July 2009, the policy relating to the senior manager provisions of the State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner (Provisional) visa (subclass 163) will be amended.

The current senior manager provisions are covered by clause 163.111 and subclause 163.212(b) of the Migration Regulations 1994 and are defined in Section 9 of PAM3 Sch2 Visa 163.

The policy amendments will assist agents to compile quality visa applications for clients who do not own a business but have the necessary qualifications and management experience to establish a successful business in Australia.

The amendments clarify and define:

• a senior manager
• management experience
• appropriate experience in absence of formal qualifications
• the decision-making, day to day responsibility and management hierarchy requirements relating to sound and continuous employment.

For more information about these changes contact Australian Visa Experts. Just go to our home page and submit your enquiry to us. Australian migration agents

Overseas students, who complete a diploma or higher qualification in Australia can apply for a Subclass 856 (Employer Nomination) visa.

Such applications get the highest priority in processing so they are a very attractive alternative to applying for General Skilled Migration.

Of crucial significance to Subclass 856 visa applications by overseas students is the policy provision that overseas students with occupations on the Migration Occupations in Demand List may be eligible for a waiver of the 3 year work experience requirement .

Interested to know more about this?

Contact Australian Visa Experts from our website home page. Australian migration agent .

How Do you Get An Employer Sponsored Visa?

Starting your new life in a foreign country may seem daunting. There are many pathways to attaining a visa, choosing the best option for you with the greatest likelihood of success can be difficult. A skilled migrant work visa is a great option for those with a high level of professional skills, as is a Business Visa. But what do you do if you do not meet the stringent conditions of both these visas? Even if you don’t, it’s still possible that your work experience qualifies you to work in Australia and bring valuable and much needed skills with you. With employment at its lowest in years, companies all over Australia are desperate for workers. The skilled migrant work visa addresses this need and may be the best pathway to a new beginning in Australia.

An employer sponsored visa can be offered on either a temporary or permanent basis. You will be offered a temporary visa first, which renders you eligible for a permanent visa later down the track. The process is similar to that of the skilled migrant work visa and Business Visa. To qualify for a permanent Employer Sponsored Visa you must be between 18 and 45 and have good English skills. You must also fit the criteria of being highly skilled in occupation specified by The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship; there are hundreds of these jobs that meet this criteria currently. Most, but not all, require tertiary education.

You will need an Australian employer to offer you a full time position for a minimum of three years. You must be highly skilled in an eligible occupation. The process works like this; an employer has a suitable position and selects a foreign national who has the age, skill and language requirements to satisfy the prerequisites. The employee then accepts the position and applies for the visa through The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

In the current economic conditions, with loss of local jobs in Australia, the skilled migration visa applications with the best chance of success are those that can be matched to the current skills shortages list published on the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) web site.

We will endeavor to keep you updated re the skills shortages list via this Blog.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS

Of course, now you are wondering how on earth you can find a job that will enable you to attain and Employer Sponsored Visa. Well the best place to start is on the internet. Many companies advertise jobs online, in fact there are several websites online that specialise in Employer Sponsored Visa programs. There are also visa service agencies that will help in the process of applying for this visa, as well as the australian skilled migration work visa and business visa. Don’t be afraid to approach a larger company yourself, have a look through local job sites and see if there is anything suitable. Send them an email, give it a shot, you may be surprised at their response.

The main industries that are sponsoring skilled workers under sub class 457 visas are these -

• Accommodation and Food Services
• Administrative and Support Services
• Agricultural, Forestry and Fishing
• Arts and Recreation Services
• Building and Construction
• Education and Training
• Electricity, Gas, Water and Waste Services
• Financial and Insurance Services
• Health Care and Social Assistance
• Information Media and Telecommunications
• Manufacturing
• Mining
• Professional, Scientific and Technical

The ones that seem to be sponsoring the most workers from overseas with the right skill sets are these -

• Construction
• Education and Training
• Financial and Insurance
• Health Care and Social Services
• Information Media
• Manufacturing
• Mining

However, due the current recession getting sponsorship approval and getting issued with a sub class 457 visa is becoming increasingly more difficult. The Department of Immigration and the Department of Education and Workplace Relations are scrutinizing applications much more carefully to make sure that approval is in the best interests of Australia during recession times.

If you are an employer and want assistance in finding the right person to sponsor for your business or you are an overseas worker who is looking to find an employer to sponsor you please go to the home page of our website and click on FIND A SPONSOR. We will do our best to help find the right match for you.

AUSTRALIAN VISA EXPERTS