Changes to Australia’s Skilled Occupation Lists – 11 March 2019
Immigration Australia has announced a number of changes to their Skilled Occupation Lists, effective immediately. Immigration Australia has:
- Introduced new occupations to MLTSSL.
- Moved occupations from STSOL to MLTSSL.
- Removed occupations from STSOL.
- Introduced new occupations to the Regional Occupation List.
- Removed occupations from STSOL and added them to the Regional Occupation List.
- Removed occupations from the Regional Occupation List and added them to MLTSSL.
You can see all the changes below.
If you see that your occupation is on one of the lists, why don’t you book an initial immigration assessment with us right away? Our initial assessment is free and will reveal if you are eligible for a work visa. You can book your initial assessment here.
Please note: MLTSSL – Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List, STOL – Short-term Skilled Occupation List.
New occupations on MLTSSL
- Telecommunications network planner (ANZSCO code 313213)
- Pressure welder (ANZSCO code 322312)
- Environmental Manager (ANZSCO code 139912)
- Musician (Instrumental) (ANZSCO code 211213)
- Statistician (ANZSCO code 224113)
- Economist (ANZSCO code 224311)
- Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum) (ANZSCO code 233611)
- Petroleum Engineer (ANZSCO code 233612)
- Engineering Professionals nec (ANZSCO code 233999)
- Chemist (ANZSCO code 234211)
- Food Technologist (ANZSCO code 234212)
- Environmental Consultant (ANZSCO code 234312)
- Environmental Research Scientist (ANZSCO code 234313)
- Environmental Scientists nec (ANZSCO code 234399)
- Geophysicist (ANZSCO code 234412)
- Hydrogeologist (ANZSCO code 234413)
- Life Scientist (General) (ANZSCO code 234511)
- Biochemist (ANZSCO code 234513)
- Biotechnologist (ANZSCO code 234514)
- Botanist (ANZSCO code 234515)
- Marine Biologist (ANZSCO code 234516)
- Microbiologist (ANZSCO code 234517)
- Zoologist (ANZSCO code 234518)
- Life Scientists nec (ANZSCO code 234599)
- Conservator (ANZSCO code 234911)
- Metallurgist (ANZSCO code 234912)
- Meteorologist (ANZSCO code 234913)
- Natural and Physical Science Professionals nec (ANZSCO code 234999)
- University Lecturer (ANZSCO code 242111)
- Multimedia Specialist (ANZSCO code 261211)
- Software and Applications Programmers nec (ANZSCO code 261399)
- Horse Trainer (ANZSCO code 361112)
- Physicist – no longer restricted to medical physicist
Moved from STSOL to MLTSSL
- Arts administrator or manager (ANZSCO code 139911)
- Dancer or choreographer (ANZSCO code 211112)
- Music director (ANZSCO code 211212)
- Artistic director (ANZSCO code 212111)
- Tennis coach (ANZSCO code 452316)
- Footballer (ANZSCO code 452411)
Removed from STSOL
- Visual Arts and Crafts Professionals (ANZSCO code 211499)
- Textile, Clothing and Footwear Mechanic (ANZSCO code 323215)
- Watch and Clock Maker and Repairer (ANZSCO code 323316)
- Chemical Plant Operator (ANZSCO code 399211)
- Library Technician (ANZSCO code 399312)
- Arts Administrator or Manager (ANZSCO code 139911)
- Dancer or Choreographer (ANZSCO code 211112)
- Music Director (ANZSCO code 211212)
- Artistic Director (ANZSCO code 212111)
- Footballer (ANZSCO code 452411)
- Aquaculture Farmer (ANZSCO code 121111)
- Cotton Grower (ANZSCO code 121211)
- Fruit or Nut Grower (ANZSCO code 121213)
- Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower (ANZSCO code 121214)
- Mixed Crop Farmer (ANZSCO code 121216)
- Sugar Cane Grower (ANZSCO code 121217)
- Crop Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121299)
- Beef Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121312)
- Dairy Cattle Farmer (ANZSCO code 121313)
- Mixed Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121317)
- Pig Farmer (ANZSCO code 121318)
- Sheep Farmer (ANZSCO code 121322)
- Livestock Farmers nec (ANZSCO code 121399)
- Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer (ANZSCO code 121411)
- Dentist (ANZSCO code 252312)
- Anaesthetist (ANZSCO code 253211)
- Tennis Coach (ANZSCO code 4542316)
New occupations on the Regional Occupation List
- Deer farmer (ANZSCO code 121314)
- Goat farmer (ANZSCO code 121315)
Added to Regional Occupation List, removed from STSOL
- Aquaculture farmer (ANZSCO code 121111)
- Cotton grower (ANZSCO code 121211)
- Fruit or nut grower (ANZSCO code 121213)
- Grain, oilseed or pasture grower (Aus) / field crop grower (NZ) (ANZSCO code 121214)
- Mixed crop farmer (ANZSCO code 121216)
- Sugar cane grower (ANZSCO code 121217)
- Crop farmers (nec) (ANZSCO code 121299)
- Beef cattle farmer (ANZSCO code 121312)
- Dairy cattle farmer (ANZSCO code 121313)
- Mixed livestock farmer (ANZSCO code 121317)
- Pig farmer (ANZSCO code 121318)
- Sheep farmer (ANZSCO code 121322)
- Livestock farmers (nec) (ANZSCO code 121399)
- Mixed crop and livestock farmer (ANZSCO code 121411)
- Dentist (ANZSCO code 252312)
- Anaesthetist (ANZSCO code 253211)
Added to MLTSSL, removed from Regional Occupation List
- Arts administrator or manager (ANZSCO code 139911)
- Dancer or choreographer (ANZSCO code 211112)
- Music director (ANZSCO code 211212)
- Artistic director (ANZSCO code 212111)
- Tennis coach (ANZSCO code 452316)
- Footballer (ANZSCO code 452411)
- Telecommunications network planner (ANZSCO code 313213)
- Pressure welder (ANZSCO code 322312)
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- Published in News, Our latest posts
New Australian Five Year Parent Visa from April 2019
Late last year we shared the Australian government’s intention to launch a temporary sponsored parent visa in 2019.
We are happy to say that a date has been announced!
Applications for the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa will open on 17 April 2019.
Remind me what this visa is about…
The Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa will enable parents to stay in Australia for up to five years at a time, while ensuring that taxpayers are not required to cover additional costs.
To be eligible for the visa, a parent must be the biological, adoptive, or step-parent of the sponsor.
The sponsor must be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or eligible New Zealand citizen.
What are the advantages of this new visa?
Often parents want to visit their children and grandchildren for longer than a visitor visa allows.
With the Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa, you can visit your family for up to five years at a time without departing.
It is important to note that the Sponsored Parent Visa does not allow for permanent residence, so it still only a temporary solution. You’ll have to explore other visas if you’d like to stay in Australia permanently.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Sponsored Parent Visa, you must meet certain requirements which include the following – You must:
- Have sponsorship from a person who is an approved parent sponsor.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be outside Australia (unless invited in writing to apply by the Department of Home Affairs) for at least 90 days if you hold or has previously held a Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa.
- Not have engaged in payment for visas conduct.
- Provide evidence of access to funds.
- Provide evidence of health insurance.
- Not have outstanding public health debt (unless appropriate arrangements have been made to repay the debt).
- Satisfy health, character, and national security requirements.
Unlike permanent Parent visas, there is no Balance of Family Test requirement for this visa. This means you are not required to have more than half of your children living in Australia.
How many places are available for the Parent Sponsored (Temporary) visa?
The Department of Home Affairs has stated that up to 15,000 visas may be granted each program year which runs from 1 July to 30 June. If the cap is reached in a program year, the Department will not grant any further visas until the next program year starts.
Will I be allowed to work while in Australia?
No, your Parent Sponsored visa does now allow you to work.
How long will it take to process my visa?
Unfortunately we cannot give you exact timelines. Processing times will depend on a number of factors, including the number of applications lodged.
What if I want to stay for longer than 5 years?
You will be able to hold Sponsored Parent visas for a total stay of up to 10 years. This means you’ll be able to apply for a further Sponsored Parent visa should you wish to do so. This will be on the condition that you have been outside of Australia for at least 90 days before applying.
Once you have held a Sponsored Parent visa for the cumulative maximum 10 year period, you have two choices:
- Leave Australia, or
- Apply for another visa that will allow you to remain in Australia.
Unfortunately you won’t be eligible for another Parent Sponsored (Temporary) visa.
Questions? Contact us
If you have any questions about the Parent Sponsored (Temporary) visa, please do not hesitate to either contact us. You can reach our consultants at 011 234 4275 or 021 202 8200. Alternatively, simply send us an email.
To get a reminder of when applications open, follow us on Facebook or Linkedin, or sign up for our free monthly newsletter.
- Published in News, Our latest posts
Sydney vs Melbourne vs Brisbane vs Perth: Comparing living costs
While the Australian government wants more people to settle in the Northern Territory, many migrants will still end up in one of the country’s big cities.
That’s why we decided to compare living costs between Australia’s four most populated cities – Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth.
Our comparison covers the costs of:
- Rent;
- Utilities;
- Groceries;
- Getting around;
- Entertainment; and
- Childcare.
But none of these expenses will make sense if not viewed together with salaries. This is the reason why we start our Australian living cost comparison by looking at the average salary in each city.
Please note: All costs are quoted in Australian dollars.
Salaries
When it comes to average annual salaries, you’ll earn the most in Sydney and the least in Brisbane:
Now let’s move on to the expected living costs in each city…
Monthly expenses
The biggest portion of your salary each month is likely to go to rent. Here’s how much you can expect to fork out on rent in each city:
Rent
This is how much your utilities will set you back each month:
Groceries
The other big expense each month would be groceries. Let’s have a look at some basic groceries costs:
Getting around
If you don’t import your car, you’ll have to either buy a car once you’re in Australia or take public transport. Here’s how much both of these options could cost you:
Entertainment
Of course life is not all work, we also play. Here are the average prices for things such as restaurant meals and movies:
Childcare
If you’re a family moving over, you might need to put your children in day care or enroll them in a school. Here are the fees for both of these:
If there are any other costs you’re curious about, such as clothing, head on over to Numbeo. All of the costs above were taken from Numbeo and are valid as at March 2019. Salaries were taken from Payscale.
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- Published in Life in Australia, Our latest posts
Changes to TRA skills assessments
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has announced changes to the Trade Skills Assessment programs for TSS (TSS Skills Assessment Programs), OSAP (Offshore Skills Assessment Program), and TRS (Trades Recognition Services).
These changes come into effect on 1 March 2019 and apply to the following areas:
- Employment and training requirements for Pathway 1 assessments
- Assessment fees
- Evidence submission and payment process
- Postal applications
1. Employment and training requirements for Pathway 1 assessments
The amount of verifiable employment evidence a Pathway 1 applicant must submit for their nominated occupation has been changed as follows:
- Licensed trade with no formal training – 6 years’ work experience
- Licensed trade with formal training – 4 years’ work experience
- Non-licensed trade with no formal training – 5 years’ work experience
- Non-licensed trade with formal training – 3 years’ work experience.
Additionally, all applicants must have completed at least 12 months of employment in their nominated occupation in the three years prior to lodging their application.
Please note: ‘Formal training’ is defined as training that aligns with the national training standards in the applicant’s country of training.
2. Assessment fees
Fees for Trade Skills Assessments are now set by Trades Recognition Australia. Payment of these fees must be made directly to TRA. Information regarding the new fees is available here on our blog.
3. Evidence-submission and payment process
From 1 March 2019, VETASSESS requires new applications to include all required Stage 1 documentary evidence.
4. Postal application forms no longer accepted
VETASSESS will no longer accept postal applications. All applications must be submitted online.
Will these changes affect applicants who applied for their assessments before 1 March 2019?
No. These changes only affect assessments paid for on or after 1 March 2019.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes, please do not hesitate to contact us. You can either call us on +27 (0) 11 123 4274 or email us.
- Published in Immigration to Australia, News
Increase of skills assessment fees for Offshore Skills Assessment Program, TSS Skills Assessment Program and Trade Recognition
From 1 March 2019, skills assessments for the TSS Program (TSS Skills Assessment Program), OSAP (Offshore Skills Assessment Program) and TRS (Trades Recognition Services) will see an increase in fees.
The new fees
The following fees apply to the specific services which might be required in a skills assessment as of 1 March:
Please note: You won’t necessarily go through each of the steps listed above. The steps you have to complete would depend on your individual circumstances. For more information regarding your eligibility please contact us.
Skills assessment fees will now be paid directly to Trade Recognition Australia (TRA) through the TRA Online Portal
There is one other change coming into effect on 1 March with regards to fees. Going forward, you will pay your skills assessment fees directly to TRA through the TRA Online Portal.
Please note: There are also three other changes coming into effect with regards to skills assessments. Read more about these here.
How will TRA payments work?
To facilitate Online Portal payments, your chosen RTO (Registered Training Organisation) will provide you with an RTO assessment payment identifier code. This code must be used to make payment through the TRA Online Portal for the service you require. For example, a technical assessment, practical assessment, etc.
Intergate Emigration’s role
Your administrator at Intergate will assist you with payment of your skills assessment. Our adviser will establish the RTO to choose during your eligibility assessment and the administrator will facilitate the payment on your behalf on submission of your skills assessment.
Call us with questions or concerns
If you have any questions on or concerns about these fee increase and how they may affect you, please feel free to contact us. You can either call us on +27 (0) 11 234 4275 or pop us an email.
- Published in Immigration to Australia, News
Top 10 benefits of studying in Australia
The benefits of studying in Australia are numerous. The proof, as the saying goes, is in the pudding. In this case, the ‘pudding’ is the fact that Australia is the fourth most fourth most popular international student destination in the world, behind only the USA, UK, and China.
But what is it exactly that makes studying in Australia the first choice for many students? We delve into the reasons below.
1. Seven out of the top 100 universities in the world
In 2019, Australia is home to 7 of the world’s top 100 universities:
Top Universities, the world’s leading higher education community, assessed 85 universities from around the world to determine the rankings. The institution assessed each university on six metrics, including its reputation among academics and employers.
2. World-class education
Australian universities offer programs and courses that are recognised globally. The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is largely to thank for this. The AQF allows students to easily move through the education system in Australia and provide an easy way for other countries to recognise qualifications and to issue the comparable qualifications.
It should also be mentioned that Australian universities offer modern facilities, advanced curriculums, and specialist funds for research and development.
3. You can study just about anything
The more than 40 universities across Australia offer hundreds of courses and degrees to choose from. You’ll be able to find a qualification in almost every discipline and field of study.
4. You’re protected by TEQSA and the ESOS Act
Australia’s Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, or TEQSA, acts as a national regulatory and quality agency for higher education. The Agency monitor quality and regulate university and non-university higher education providers against a set of standards developed by the independent Higher Education Standards Panel.
In addition, the Education Services for Overseas Students Act, or ESOS Act sets nationally consistent standards for the delivery of courses to overseas students. According to Australia’s Department of Education and Training, the Act ‘protects and enhances Australia’s reputation for quality education, provides tuition protection and supports the integrity of the student visa program’.
You can read more about the Act here.
5. Many scholarships for international students
If you think studying in Australia is not within reach , you’ll be glad to hear that international students have many scholarships, grants, and bursaries available to them. These are offered by the Australian government, education institutions, and a number of public and private organisations.
Three of the major scholarships in Australia are:
- Australia Awards
- Australian Government Research Training Program (RTP)
- Australia APEC Women in Research Fellowship
Read more about Australian scholarships here.
6. Superb research opportunities
Australia invests heavily in research and thus the country has produced outstanding research in various fields. Well-known discoveries that have come out of Australia include penicillin, WiFi, the ultrasound machine and the flight data recorder or black box. When you study in Australia, you’ll be able to take advantage of the impressive technology and research resources that made these inventions possible.
7. High quality of life
Australia consistently scores well in surveys and studies that measure quality of life. In 2019, it’s no different. Numbeo has compared the quality of life in 230 cities around the world and Australia has three cities in the top 10. In fact, Australia has claimed the number one city on the list – Canberra!
Adelaide and Brisbane are the other two cities in the top 10, at numbers 4 and 7 respectively. Other cities on Numbeo’s world ranking are Perth, at number 17, and Melbourne, at number 37, and Sydney, coming in at number 48.
8. You can work while you study
Australia allows student visa holders to work while they’re studying. There are conditions though. You may only work once your course has commenced and only while your course is in session. Equally important is that you’re only allowed to work for a maximum of 40 hours per fortnight.
You can read more about the work conditions for student visa holders here.
9. The opportunity to work in Australia after your studies
The Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) offers international students who’ve studied in Australia for at least two years the opportunity to apply for temporary permission to work in Australia.
You can read more about the 485 visa here.
10. Natural beauty and perfect weather
This list of benefits of studying in Australia won’t be complete without mentioning the country’s many natural wonders and sunny days.
You can visit the Great Barrier Reef, the Kakadu National Park, the Tasmanian Wilderness and Fraser Island.
The sunny weather allows for many days spent outside, being active. Of course winter does happen, but it’s not nearly as severe as in other parts of the world.
Convinced by the benefits of studying in Australia? Call us!
If Australia seems to be the place to further your education, please feel free to give us a call to discuss your options.
You can reach us on either +27 (0) 21 202 8200 or +27 (0) 11 234 4275. If you’re not really a phone person, you are welcome to email us instead.
- Published in Immigration to Australia, Studying in Australia
Australian government lists 117 occupations in NT that needs foreign workers
The Australian government has released a list of 117 occupations as part of a new scheme that enables Australian employers to recruit from overseas as well as offers successful immigrants the opportunity to gain permanent residency.
The main condition? You have to be willing to live in the Northern Territory for at least three years.
The Northern Territory is perhaps not Melbourne or Sydney, but it is home to Australia’s famed Outback and residents are said to enjoy a laid-back lifestyle.
Interested? Then continue reading to find out more…
The scheme in summary
This brand-new scheme is called the Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement – or DAMA, for short.
The DAMA allows NT (Northern Territory) employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they are unable to fill with local workers.
What visa do you qualify for?
Overseas workers who are successful in their visa applications will receive a Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482) under the Labour Agreement stream.
Can applicants apply independently?
No, it is not allowed. The NT DAMA is an employer-sponsored visa program, which means you cannot apply for a visa independently. An eligible business operating in the NT must sponsor you, i.e. undertake to employ you.
What are the qualifying criteria?
You must be under the age of 45, meet the English language requirement, and have the skills and qualifications required by the employers for the advertised position. You must also be able to meet any and all other requirements of the subclass 482 visa.
Is permanent residency guaranteed?
No, it is not. You must still meet the eligibility requirements for permanent residency under the NT DAMA.
Is there an age limit?
The subclass 482 does not have an age limit, but you should be aware of the fact that you must be under the age of 50 when applying for permanent residency.
What types of jobs are on the list?
The list of 117 occupations ranges from skilled professions, such as engineers and mechanics, to more common occupations, such as caregiving and hairdressing.
You can view the full list occupations here or continue scrolling to the bottom of this article to view the list.
Can Intergate Emigration help?
As this is an employer-sponsored visa, Intergate can assist you once you have secured a job offer from an eligible employer. You are more than welcome to either call us on 011 234 4275 or to email us for assistance at that stage.
The full list of occupations
This is the bit you’ve been waiting for – the 117 jobs on the DAMA list. Here they are:
Accountant (General)
Accounts Clerk
Aged or Disabled Carer
Agricultural and Horticultural Mobile Plant Operator
Aeroplane Pilot
Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Aquaculture Farmer
Arborist
Automotive Electrician
Baker
Bar Attendant (Supervisor)
Barista
Beauty Therapist
Beef Cattle Farmer
Bookkeeper
Bus Driver
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker
Cabinetmaker
Cabler (Data and Telecommunications)
Café or Restaurant Manager
Carpenter
Chef
Chief Executive or Managing Director
Childcare Worker
Childcare Centre Manager
Civil Engineering Technician
Community Worker
Conference and Event Organiser
Cook
Cook (Specialist Ethnic Cuisine)
Customer Service Manager
Crowd Controller
Deckhand
Dental Assistant
Diesel Motor Mechanic
Disabilities Services Officer
Diver
Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teacher
Earthmoving Plant Operator (General)
Earth Science Technician
Electrical Linesworker
Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
Excavator Operator
Facilities Manager
Family Day Care Worker
Family Support Worker
Fitter (General)
Fitter and Turner
Fitter-welder
Floor Finisher
Flying Instructor
Forklift Driver
Fruit or Nut Grower
Gaming Worker
Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
Hairdresser
Hardware Technician
Hotel or Motel Manager
Hotel or Motel Receptionist
Hotel Service Manager
ICT Customer Support Officer
ICT Support Technicians nec
Interpreter
Landscape Gardener
Licensed Club Manager
Linemarker
Management Accountant
Marketing Specialist
Metal Fabricator
Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer
Mixed Crop Farmer
Mixed Livestock Farmer
Motor Mechanic (General)
Motor Vehicle Parts and Accessories Fitter (General)
Motor Vehicle or Caravan Salesperson
Motor Vehicle Parts Interpreter
Motorcycle Mechanic
Nursing Support Worker
Office Manager
Out of School Hours Care Worker
Panelbeater
Personal Care Assistant
Pharmacy Technician
Plumber (General)
Pressure Welder
Program or Project Administrator
Property Manager
Recreation Officer
Residential Care Worker
Retail Manager (General)
Retail Supervisor
Sales and Marketing Manager
Sheetmetal Trades Worker
Ship’s Engineer 1
Ship’s Master
Small Engine Mechanic
Sound Technician
Supply and Distribution Manager
Taxation Accountant
Telecommunications Cable Jointer
Telecommunications Linesworker
Telecommunications Technician
Therapy Aide
Tour Guide
Truck Driver (General)
Vegetable Grower
Vehicle Painter
Veterinary Nurse
Waiter Supervisor
Waste Water or Water Plant Operator
Web Administrator
Web Designer
Welder (First Class)
Welfare Worker
Youth Worker
- Published in News, Our latest posts
New visa for parents of Australian migrants in 2019
Migrants to Australia will be delighted to learn that Australia is introducing a Temporary Sponsored Parent visa in 2019. This visa will present parents and grandparents with a new pathway to reunite with families.
More about this visa
The Temporary Sponsored Parent visa will allow parents to visit their families in Australia for a continuous period of up to 5 years.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman said the visa demonstrated the Government’s commitment to migrant communities.
“This new visa will help families reunite and spend time together,” Mr Coleman said. “It will provide a new pathway for parents and grandparents to visit their families in Australia, which will deliver great social benefits to the Australian community.”
As the name of the visa suggest, migrants will act as sponsors for their parents. Sponsors will act as a financial guarantor for any outstanding public health costs incurred by the visa holder while in Australia.
“This new visa will ensure family reunions are possible for many migrant families across Australia, while protecting taxpayers with strict guidelines to ensure all public health debts including hospital and aged care fees are recovered by the Australian Government,” Mr Coleman said.
The application process
The application will be a two-step process. There will first be an assessment of the sponsor and only once the sponsor is approved can the visa application be lodged.
It is also important to note that according to the regulations of the visa, each migrant household will only be able to sponsor one set of parents. This regulation was criticized by the Labour Party as well as migrant groups, as it would force families to choose which parents or in-laws they reunite with.
Applications open in the first half of 2019
Applications for the Temporary Sponsored Parent visa open in the first half of 2019. No official date has been released at time of writing.
If you and your parents would be interested in applying for this visa, we suggest following us on Facebook or signing up for our newsletter to be the first to know when application dates are announced.
- Published in News, Our latest posts
What is the Invitation to Apply for an Australian visa?
There are many parts to general skilled migration visa applications. One of these parts is the Invitation to Apply for an Australian visa. Continue reading to find out what it is and where it fits into the process.
What is the Invitation to Apply?
The Invitation to Apply is as the name suggests – an invitation to apply for a visa, specifically certain skilled migration visas:
- Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189).
- Skilled Nomination Visa (subclass 190).
- Skilled Regional (Provisional) Visa (subclass 489).
From your Invitation to Apply, you’ll learn the following:
- Under which subclass you are being invited to apply.
- The time frame within which you have to make your application.
- Additional information to include, if applicable.
Where does the Invitation to Apply fit into the visa application process?
The Invitation to Apply is the third step in your skilled migration visa application:
Step 1:
The first step is getting your eligibility assessed for general skilled migration by means of a points-based assessment. You must get 65 points or more to move on to the next stage.
Step 2:
Should you qualify for skilled migration to Australia, the second step is submitting an Expression of Interest. This in application which details:
- The visa subclass and stream you intend to apply for.
- Whether you’re seeking sponsorship from a state or territory government; and
- If you’re open to living in specific states or territories.
The Expression of Interest also judges your application on a points-bases and against other EOIs. Once this evaluation is completed, a decision is then made whether or not to invite you to make a visa application.
Step 3:
If your Expression of Interest is selected, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply for an Australian visa for general skilled migration.
How often are Invitations to Apply extended?
Invitations to apply are usually extended on a monthly basis. SkillSelect and the Department of Home Affairs publish reports after each month’s invitation round which shows the lowest-scoring test marks.
What should I go if I get an Invitation to Apply?
If you receive an invitation, you’ll have 60 days to apply for the visa. Our immigration agents will guide you through this stage and assist with the process.
What if I don’t get an Invitation to Apply for an Australian visa?
If you’re not invited to apply within two years of submitting your EOI, your EOI will expire. The Department of Home Affairs will send you an email when your EOI is about to expire.
Do you have more questions?
Please feel free to contact us should you have any other questions about the Invitation to Apply. You can either call us on +27 (0) 11 123 4274 or +27 (0) 21 424 2460 or email us.
You can also read more about the Invitation to Apply and general skilled migration on our website.
Want to see more articles like this one? Click here to sign up for our FREE newsletter and you’ll get immigration information and news once a month: http://bit.ly/2m2IAFf
- Published in Immigration to Australia, Our latest posts
4 Uncomfortable truths about emigrating – Plus the good news
It’s no secret that emigrating is a huge undertaking. Especially if you’re a family doing it!
However, most people entering the emigration process do not fully realise what lies ahead.
Is it worth it? Of course! You’re opening doors to new opportunities and a better life for yourself and your family.
But how do you prepare yourself for the emigration journey? A good way to start is by reading the below.
You’re going to have a lot of admin to do
Many applicants are surprised by the amount of admin that’s involved in the application.
You have to gather the required documents, complete the necessary paperwork, do the applicable tests, and apply for professional registrations if your occupation asks for it.
Everything has to happen at the right time too and it also has to happen in a way or format that meets Immigration Australia’s requirements.
The good news
Our immigration advisers can guide you through everything that’s required and ensure that it happens as it should. Our team even go as far as booking English tests for you. Leaving you with more time to focus on those behind-the-scenes things.
Your emigration might not happen as quickly as you’d like
If you’re like the average person who wants to emigrate, you basically want to do it immediately! You can’t wait to pack your bags and get on that aeroplane. And who can blame you? Australia is a dream destination.
Unfortunately your emigration might not always happen as quickly as you’d hope. Sometimes, for instance, Immigration Australia could take a bit longer to process a visa because there has been a high volume of applications.
The good news
You can rest assured that we always compile your application as quickly as possible to submit it as soon as possible. And while we cannot influence Immigration Australia in any way, we do undertake to ensure that you’re never left in the dark about what’s happening with your application.
Emigration is not cheap
There are a lot of costs involved in emigrating, from paying the movers to putting down a deposit on a place to stay or importing your pet. You’ll also have to pay government fees and you might need to pay for English tests and registrations too.
The good news
Here’s what you don’t want to do – part with any money without knowing if you’re eligible for emigration. This is why we offer a free initial assessment. This assessment tells you whether or not you do qualify for emigration. It’ll also give you a good idea of the initial costs, so that you can draw up a better budget.
Emigration is not for the faint-hearted
It is almost guaranteed that your stress and anxiety levels will rise during the application process. Mostly because it’s an unfamiliar process and because it’s such an important step in your life.
The good news
Our advisers will see to it that don’t have to go through it alone. Our team will always ensure that your stress and anxiety is kept to a minimum by seeing to it that all requirements are met, and by giving you realistic timelines and expectations.
Here’s what some of our recent clients had to say:
We had the absolute pleasure of working on our immigration process with Katrin Maja O’Flynn from Intergate.
It was a crazy journey as we are a complex case and only had the bare minimum points needed. Katrin guided us efficiently, effectively and with endless patience. She went above and beyond her basic duties sending us plenty extra information.
We never felt like “just another case” to Katrin, which for me was the most important thing. She grasped the fact that she was dealing with a family seeking to change their future and that she held that future in her hands. When there were bumps in the road and I was scared, Katrin called me and handled me with such kindness and empathy.
We just can’t thank you enough Katrin. Thanks to you, generations of our family to come will be safe. I simply would not recommend you take this journey with any other company – Intergate and Katrin especially are absolutely brilliant.”
~ Lara
Hi Katrin & Maike,
Thank you so much for all your hard work and expertise!
It has been 322 days since we signed our mandate with you to guide us along this journey! We couldn’t be happier right now to have received our Visa grant. Both you and Maike have made the entire process so easy and stress-free. Everything happened within the time-frames you gave us and there were no unrealistic expectations given. Your professionalism and knowledge in the whole process was awesome!
We can’t recommend you both and Intergate enough 🙂 Thanks again for all you have done in helping us achieve our goal! THANK-YOU! THANK-YOU! THANK-YOU!
~ Bronwyn
We can gladly recommend Intergate Emigration to any one aspiring to emigrate or just for a visitors visa.
We contacted Intergate in February 2016, and they were extremely helpful and patient with all our emigration questions and concerns. They also helped us to obtain Visitors Visas quickly.
When we decided to emigrate, we had the pleasure of working with Maike and later Katrin. The team was wonderful and we really felt that they were invested in our case . They were patient and always answered all our emails without complaining. They are professional and they made sure we had all the documents before it was requested.
Intergate Emigration is the BEST!
~ Nico and Adri Botha
Ready to make your emigration easier?
If you are, please book an initial assessment with us. This initial assessment is free and non-obligatory.
Following the outcome, you’ll know if you’re eligible to immigrate to Australia. From this point, our agents will guide you through the application process, providing support and knowledge every step of the way.
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- Published in Immigration to Australia, Our latest posts