Insider info on the immigration process – how it works; what you should expect; what you should and shouldn’t do.

Australian work visa options for people over 45

australian work visa options for people over 45

australian work visa options for people over 45

Skilled migration to Australia has a strict age requirement. You must be under the age of 45 to apply for a visa. However – there are Australian work visa options for people over 45! You could:

  • apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482), or
  • explore age exemptions options under the Designated Area Migration Agreements.

Let’s look at each option in detail:

1. Applying for a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)

The Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482) allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to live and work in Australia on a temporary basis. It allows visa holders to stay in Australia for up to two or four years, depending on the nature of the skilled position.

The TSS Visa has three streams:

Depending on your eligibility, you could apply for a TSS Visa under one of three streams:

  1. Short-term stream: This stream enables employers to hire skilled workers from overseas for roles where they can’t find suitably skilled Australians to fill positions.
  2. Medium-term stream: Like the short-term stream, the medium-term stream allows employers to hire skilled workers from overseas for roles where they can’t find suitably skilled Australians to fill positions.
  3. Labour agreement stream: This stream is for skilled workers nominated by employers with a Labour Agreement. Labour agreements are developed between the Australian government and employers.

Requirements:

  • Short-term stream: You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible short-term skilled occupations.
  • Medium-term stream: You must be nominated to work in an occupation on either the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
  • Labour agreement stream: You must be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement.

You must also:

  • Have at least two years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field
  • Have a relevant skills assessment if it’s required for your occupation
  • Work only for your sponsor or associated entity unless you are exempt under the Short-Term or Medium-Term Stream
  • Meet minimum standards of English language proficiency unless you are exempt.

How long you can stay:

  • Short-term stream: You can work in Australia for up to two years, or for up to four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.
  • Medium-term stream: You can work in Australia for up to four years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.
  • Labour agreement stream: You can work in Australia for up to a maximum of four years, depending on the terms of the labour agreement. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.

Taking your family with you:

You can include family members in your TSS visa application. The family members you can add will depend on whether you currently hold a TSS visa or Subclass 457 visa.

If you’ve never held a TSS visa or a Subclass 457 visa, you can include the members of your family unit, which are:

  • Your spouse or de facto partner
  • Your child, or your partner’s child, who is not engaged, married or in a de facto relationship and is:
    • Under the age of 18 or
    • Between the ages of 18 and 23 and dependent on you or your partner
    • 23 years old or older and dependent on you or your partner due to a partial or total physical or mental disability
  • The dependent child of the child above

Extending your stay:

To extend your stay in Australia after the expiry date of your visa to continue working for your existing employer, your employer must submit a new nomination, and you must apply for a new visa.

Applying for permanent residence:

  • Short-term stream: Your employer may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187).
  • Medium-term stream: Your employer may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187).
  • Labour agreement stream: Your employer may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).

The application process:

The application process for the TSS visa generally has four steps:

  1. Before you apply: Ensure you have or will get nomination from your prospective employer, and arrange elements of the visa application such as a skills assessment and an English language test.
  2. Gathering your documents: Documents you may have to provide could include documents for your identity, character, skills, work experience, health and English language skills.
  3. Applying for your visa: You submit your visa application.
  4. Getting the visa outcome: You get the outcome of your visa application.

2. Explore age exemptions options under the Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA)

Australia has several Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMA) in place.

These agreements are a type of Labour Agreement negotiated between the Department of Home Affairs and employers or industrial associations instead. Their purpose is to enable employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions they’re unable to fill with local workers and in response to identified market shortages.

The advantage of DAMAs is that these agreements have lower entry requirements than standard migration programmes, including concessions to age criteria.

The age limit for visa and PR applicants is raised from 45 to 55 for occupations with Skill Level 1 to 4, and up to 50 years old for Skill Level 5 occupations.

12 Existing DAMAs:

There are 12 DAMAs in place at the moment in Australia:

  1. Orana, New South Wales
  2. Goulburn Valley, Victoria
  3. Great South Coast, Victoria
  4. Pilbara, Western Australia
  5. South West, Western Australia
  6. The Goldfields, Western Australia
  7. East Kimberley, Western Australia
  8. Far North Queensland, Queensland
  9. Townsville, Queensland
  10. The Northern Territory DAMA, Northern Territory
  11. Adelaide, South Australia
  12. South Australia Regional, South Australia

Your visa options:

Under DAMA, you have one of two Australian work visa options:

Requirements:

Your employer must have a labour agreement with the Australian government in effect. The basic requirements for each visa are as follows:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa:
    • You’re nominated for a skilled position by an approved sponsor.
    • You have the right skills to do the job.
    • You meet the relevant English language requirements.
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491):
    • You’re nominated in an occupation that’s on the relevant DAMA skilled occupation list.
    • You have a formal offer of employment from your employer, and your salary meets the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) unless there is a concession in place.
    • You have the qualifications and experience necessary to work in your nominated occupation.
    • You meet the English language requirements unless there is a concession in place.

How long you can stay:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: You can live and work in Australia for up to four years when applying under the labour agreement stream.
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): You can live and work in Australia for up to five years.

Taking your family with you:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: You can include family members in your visa application. The family members you can add will depend on whether you currently hold a TSS visa or subclass 457 visa. If you’ve never held a TSS visa or a Subclass 457 visa, you can include the members of your family unit.
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): You can include members of your family unit in your application.

Extending your stay:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: Your employer must submit a new nomination, and you must apply for a new visa to extend your stay in Australia.
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): You cannot extend your Subclass 491 Visa.

Applying for permanent residence:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage Visa: Your employer may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186).
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491): You have a pathway to permanent residence through the Permanent Residence (Skilled Work Regional) Visa (Subclass 191)

How to apply:

The application processes for the TSS Visa and the Subclass 491 Visa generally have four steps:

  1. Before you apply: Ensure you have or will get nomination from your prospective employer, and arrange elements of the visa application such as a skills assessment if you’re applying for a Subclass 482 Visa OR submit your Expression of Interest if you’re applying for a Subclass 491 Visa.
  2. Gathering your documents: Documents you may have to provide could include documents for your identity, character, skills, work experience, health and English language skills.
  3. Applying for your visa: You submit your visa application.
  4. Getting the visa outcome: You get the outcome of your visa application.

Summarising your Australian work visa options when you’re over 45

Too old for skilled migration? There are Australian work visa options for people over 45 that enable you to live and work Down Under.

You could apply for a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) or explore age exemptions under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

Under the TSS Visa, there are three visa streams, and under one of Australia’s 12 DAMAs, you can apply for either a Temporary Skill Shortage Visa or a Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 491).
Depending on your visa, you could live and work in Australia for up to two, four or five years.

Your stay doesn’t have to be temporary. The Subclass 491 Visa offers a pathway to permanent residence, and your employer may be able to sponsor you for permanent residence when you hold a TSS Visa.

Book your consultation call today to see if you qualify for any of these work visas.

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Moving to Australia: 9 Tips for setting yourself up for success

moving to australia

 

moving to australiaAre you considering moving to Australia for a better life? Do you want to do everything possible to realise this dream?

Then the nine tips we have for you today are just what you need. You’ll discover how to set your immigration up for success from the get-go.

Let’s get straight to it…

1. Start early

Moving to another country is one long list of to-dos! You have to apply for a visa, book movers, pack up your belongings, book flights, find a new home, etc., etc.

The key to managing it all without going crazy is starting early – long before you intend to say your goodbyes. The earlier you start, the easier it’ll be to deal with issues or surprises that may arise.

Our advice? Give yourself at least six months to a year if you can. Draw up a list of priorities and then get stuck in.

2. Explore your visa options

Your first priority must be exploring your visa options. The last thing you want to do is spend money on an application for a visa you don’t qualify for!

You have two options for finding out your visa options:

You’ll incur costs when going the second route but won’t regret the investment. A reputable licensed advisor will assess you against Australia’s immigration requirements to determine your best
visa options.

3. Get the right advice

Should you choose to trust your immigration to an advisor, you must make sure you’re speaking to a professional you can trust.

Check for a license from the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority, as that’s a stamp of approval from Australian authorities.

OMARA licensed advisors are authorised to give immigration advice and are held accountable for the advice they give.

4. Check your passport

You must have a valid passport to apply for a visa, so ensure your passport is still valid. The same goes for every family member involved in the migration application.

Ideally, your passports should be valid for at least another four years. Renewing your passport is advisable if the remaining validity period is three years or less.

Remember to also apply for passports for children who may still need to get passports.

5. Get your documents in order

Ensure that you have important documents, such as birth and marriage certificates, on hand. Many people underestimate how long it can take to get such documents from the relevant authorities.

Want to apply for a work visa? Then you must also have your CV and qualifications in order.

When you work with a licensed advisory, they’ll tell you precisely what documents you need and whether they should be original, colour copies, or certified.

6. Find a job

You won’t necessarily need a job to apply for a work visa, but lining up a job before you immigrate would make life much easier.

You can find suitable jobs by:

  • Standing out from the crowd with an Australian-friendly CV and a cover letter which mentions that you qualify to immigrate to Australia
  • Contacting recruiters in Australia for assistance with your job search
  • Networking with connections in your industry
  • Signing up for job alerts on career websites
  • Identifying companies you’d like to work for and applying for available positions

7. Improve your English

Australia expects immigrants to speak a reasonable level of English. You might have to complete an English test to prove your abilities before moving to Australia. If English is not your first language, work with a tutor or an English Language teacher to improve.

8. Do plenty of research

It’s common knowledge that Australia is a beautiful and vibrant country, but you’ll have to know more as someone who wants to move there.

Here’s what you’ll have to research:

  • The cost of living: You’ll have to be able to provide for your family on the salary you’ll earn. Everyday costs include groceries, clothing, transport, rent or bond repayments, utilities, schooling, and childcare. You can use our blog to start your research, but also consider joining Facebook groups for advice or reading blogs by expats.
  • Cities, towns, and neighbourhoods: Read up on Australia’s cities and towns, and decide which areas suit your lifestyle best. While doing this, remember that some work visas only allow you to stay in designed regional areas. Once you have a list of suitable cities or towns, you can investigate specific neighbourhoods where you’d like to settle.
  • Banking: You want to be able to set up a bank account shortly after arriving in Australia or even before you go. Find out how to do this as soon as possible to access funds when setting up debit orders or applying for credit.
  • Healthcare: Medicare, Australia’s universal health insurance scheme, guarantees Australians can access a wide range of health and hospital services at low or no cost. You may want to consider private health insurance if you wear glasses, contact lenses or hearing devices because Medicare doesn’t cover the cost of these. Medicare also doesn’t cover dental services, ambulance services, elective and cosmetic surgery, services not on the Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS), and services provided through the public health system.
  • Schools and universities: It’s safe to assume that if you’re a tertiary student or parent, a big reason for your move is securing a good education for yourself or your children. Australia has world-class schools and universities across the country, but it’ll still be worthwhile to find a good fit for yourself or your children if you’re a parent.
  • Importing your belongings and pets: Australia has strict import requirements, making it important to know what you can take and can’t. Import requirements also apply to pets. For example, some cat and dog breeds are not allowed in Australia.

9. Save for your move

Immigrating is expensive! It’s not only visa costs. You also must budget for expenses such as flights, insurance, international movers, a deposit on a new home, and buying furniture.

Setting aside money to cover these costs and any unforeseen expenses is essential. A good rule of thumb is three to six months of savings. Your research and personal circumstances will guide you on exactly how much you’ll need.

Here’s a tip – whatever the final number, add 10% to 20% on top of that as an emergency buffer.

To recap

To set yourself up for success when moving to Australia, you must ensure that you:

  • Start early – The earlier, the better!
  • Explore your visa options – You can’t immigrate without qualifying for a visa
  • Get the right advice – from a licensed immigration advisor
  • Check your passport’s validity – Renew it if it expires within the next three years
  • Get your documents in order – such as birth and marriage certificates and your CV
  • Find a job – It’s not necessarily needed, but it will make your life easier
  • Improve your English – Australia has strict language requirements
  • Do plenty of research – Understand the cost of living, decide where you’ll stay, read up on healthcare,
    and know how to open a bank account and what you can take with you
  • Save for your move – Three to six months of savings, plus up to 20% as an emergency buffer

You’ll significantly minimise the chances of your immigration failing if you follow these tips!

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Can you immigrate to Australia if you’re over 50?

can you immigrate to Australia if you are over 50

can you immigrate to Australia if you are over 50

With strict age restrictions in place for most work visas, one might wonder, “Can you immigrate to Australia if you’re over 50?”

The good news is that there are visas that allow people over 50 to immigrate to Australia, which falls into these four categories:

  • Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)
  • Global Talent Visa
  • Parent Visas
  • Business Innovation and Investment Visa

Let’s take a closer look at each visa.

1. Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa (Subclass 482)

The Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (Subclass 482) allows Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers for positions there aren’t suitable Australians to fill available roles.

As suggested by its name, the Subclass 482 is a temporary visa. However, you could extend your stay after the expiry date of your visa or apply for a permanent residence if you’re eligible to do so.

Three visa streams

The Subclass 482 Visa has three streams through which skilled workers can apply for their visa:

  • Short-term stream:
    • You must be nominated to work in an occupation on the list of eligible short-term skilled occupations.
    • You can work in Australia for up to two years, or for up to four years if an International Trade Obligation (ITO) applies. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.
  • Medium-term stream:
    • You must be nominated to work in an occupation on either the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
    • You can work in Australia for up to four years. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.
  • Labour agreement stream:
    • You must be nominated to work in a specified occupation under the terms of a Labour Agreement.
    • You can work in Australia for up to a maximum of four years, depending on the terms of the labour agreement. Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to five years.

Further to being able to meet the requirements above, you must have at least two years of relevant work experience in your nominated occupation or a related field. You must also have a relevant skills assessment if it’s required for your occupation.

2. Global Talent Visa (subclass 858)

The purpose of the Global Talent Visa is to attract the world’s best and brightest talent to grow Australia’s economy. You’ll be eligible to apply if you are highly skilled in one of these 10 target sectors:

  • Resources
  • Agri-food and AgTech
  • Energy
  • Health Industries
  • Defence, Advanced Manufacturing and Space
  • Circular Economy
  • DigiTech
  • Infrastructure and Tourism
  • Financial Services and FinTech
  • Education

You must also be able to attract a salary that meets the high-income threshold of AUD162,000. This figure is adjusted annually on 1 July.

While there is no age restriction on the Global Talent Visa, the Department of Home Affairs requires that an exceptional benefit to the Australian community be established if you’re older than 55 years of age.

3. Parent Visas

There are several parent visas available to the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents and Eligible New Zealand (ENZ) citizens:

  • Aged Parent visa (subclass 804): You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
  • Contributory Aged Parent visas (subclasses 864 and 884): You must be old enough to receive the age pension in Australia.
  • Contributory Parent visas (subclasses 143 and 173): You must apply as a retiree.
  • Parent visa (subclass 103): You must apply as a retiree.
  • Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa: You’ll need an approved Parent Sponsor to apply.

The other requirements for these visas range from meeting the balance-of-family test to meeting health and character requirements. Please contact us if you’d like to discuss the requirements in detail.

4. Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 188)

The subclass 188 visa is a four-year provisional visa. It is the first step towards permanent residency. You’ll apply for permanent residency through the Business Innovation and Investment Visa (subclass 888).

The requirements to meet under the subclass 188 visa will depend on the stream under which you apply:

  1. Business Innovation stream: You want to establish, develop and manage a new or existing business in Australia.
  2. Investor stream: You want to make a designated investment of at least AU$2.5 million in an Australian state or territory and maintain business and investment activity in Australia.
  3. Significant Investor stream: You are willing to invest at least AU$5 million into complying investments in Australia and maintain business and investment activity in Australia.
  4. Entrepreneur stream: For startup and early stage entrepreneurs who have been endorsed to develop their concepts and been nominated by a State or Territory government agency.

For the Business Innovation, Investor and Entrepreneur streams, you must be under the age of 55. That’s not much older than 50, so don’t take too long to apply if you’re already 50.

Want to know if you’re eligible for immigration to Australia?

If you’re almost 50 or older than 50 and would like to know if you qualify to immigrate to Australia, please do not hesitate to book a consultation call with our licensed advisor.

You’ll not only discover your visa options, but also find out how the immigration process works, and learn what costs are involved.

Our team looks forward to hearing from you. Let’s get to you to Australia as soon as possible!

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Australia travel restrictions and exemptions: 1 February 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has been on-going for two years. In this time, Australia has made several changes to travel restrictions since first closing its borders.

It’s difficult to keep up!

That’s why we’re giving a summary of the travel restrictions as it stands on 1 February 2022. We’re also including information about who should and are eligible to apply for travel exemptions.

Please keep in mind that these restrictions and exemption allowances change all the time. We’ll publish and share any updates on our blog and our Facebook and LinkedIn pages.

1. Fully vaccinated Australians

Fully vaccinated Australian citizens and permanent residents can travel to and from Australia without any restrictions. You do not need to apply for a travel exemption if you’re in this group.

2. Fully vaccinated eligible visa holders

Fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can travel to Australia without having to apply for a travel exemptions.

To be an eligible visa holder, you must hold one of these visas:

  • Regional Sponsored visa (subclass 487)
  • Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
  • Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491)
  • Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
  • Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa (subclass 400)
  • Temporary Work (International Relations) visa (subclass 403)
  • State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner Visa (subclass 163)
  • Investor Retirement visa (subclass 405)
  • Recognised Graduate visa (subclass 476)
  • Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
  • Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485)
  • Prospective Marriage visa (subclass 300)
  • Contributory Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 173)
  • Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 870)
  • Contributory Aged Parent (Temporary) visa (subclass 884)
  • New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship visa (subclass 461)
  • Retirement visa (subclass 410)
  • Training and Research visa (subclass 402)
  • Training visa (subclass 407)
  • Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408)
  • Working Holiday visa (subclass 417)
  • Special Category visa (subclass 444)
  • Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
  • Work and Holiday visa (subclass 462)
  • Student visa (subclass 500)
  • Student Temporary visa (subclass 560)
  • Vocational Education and Training Sector visa (subclass 572)
  • Student Schools Sector visa (subclass 571)
  • Higher Education Sector visa (subclass 573)
  • Postgraduate Research Sector visa (subclass 574)
  • Non-Award Sector visa (subclass 575)
  • Student Guardian visa (subclass 580)
  • Student Guardian visa (subclass 590)
  • Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988)
  • In-country Special Humanitarian visa (subclass 201)
  • Emergency Rescue visa (subclass 203)
  • Woman at Risk visa (subclass 204)
  • Humanitarian Stay (Temporary) visa (subclass 449)
  • Temporary Protection visa (subclass 785)
  • Temporary Humanitarian Concern visa (subclass 786)
  • Safe Haven Enterprise visa (subclass 790)
  • Refugee visa (subclass 200)

If you hold one of these visas but you’re not fully vaccinated, you must apply for an individual travel exemption before travelling to Australia. You’ll only be able to enter Australia if the Department of Home Affairs grants you the exemption.

Please note: Australia’s Department of Home Affairs regularly reviews this visa list and may add subclass over time.

3. Immediate family members of Australians and eligible New Zealand citizens

Immediate family members of Australian citizens, permanent residents, or New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia are exempt from Australia’s travel restrictions.

You may still have to prove your relationship, though, and you may have to apply for a travel exemption if you hold a temporary visa.

Our advisors are able to advise on and assist with both these processes.

Who is considered ‘immediate family’?

Australia classifies the following people as ‘immediate family’:

  • Spouses
  • De facto partners
  • Dependent children
  • Parents or legal guardians of dependent children

The special case of parents of adult Australians

In November last year, Australia expanded its classification of ‘immediate family’ to also include the parents of adult Australian citizens or permanent residents. This change was made for assessing travel exemptions only.

Australia considers a person an adult if they are 18 or older, and defines parents in this instance as:

  • Biological parents
  • Legal parents, including adoptive parents
  • Stepparents
  • Parents in-law

To travel to Australia as a parent, you’ll have to prove your relationship with your adult Australian children. You’ll also have to have a valid passport and visa, and you must be fully vaccinated.

Unfortunately, the parents of adult New Zealand citizens usually resident in Australia do not qualify for a similar exemption.

However – you must apply for a travel exemption if you hold one of these visas

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs requires you to apply for a travel exemption in either of these cases if you’re classified as an ‘immediate family member’:

  • You hold a temporary visa, including a visitor visa other than a temporary Partner (subclass 820 or 309) visa or a temporary Child (subclass 445) visa.
  • You hold a Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa and are unvaccinated.

It’s important to note that you won’t be able to travel to Australia unless the Department of Home Affairs granted you an exemption. You’ll also have to hold a valid visa.

For clarification – Partner (subclasses 100, 309, 801 and 820) and Child (subclasses 101, 102 and 445) visa holders do not need to apply for a travel exemption.

4. Remaining exempt categories

Apart from the categories and visas discussed above, the following categories of people are also exempt from travel restrictions:

  • People who’ve been in New Zealand for 14 days or more immediately prior to arrival by air in Australia
  • Diplomats who are accredited in Australia, including their immediate family members
  • People transiting Australia for 72 hours or less
  • Airline crew and maritime crew, including marine pilots
  • People recruited under the Government-approved Seasonal Worker Program or Pacific Labour Scheme
  • Persons who hold a Business Innovation and Investment (subclass 188) visa
  • Persons who hold a Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa in the ‘Post COVID-19 Economic Recovery Event’ stream and who are supported by the Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce
  • Individuals invited or sponsored by the Australian Defence Force or the Department of Defence to undertake military activities
  • Individuals who has a prescribed status and wants to enter Australia on a Special Purpose visa
  • Fully vaccinated citizens of:
  • Fully vaccinated New Zealand passport holders seeking to enter Australia on a Special Category visa (subclass TY444)

5. Exemption requests to escort Australian citizen or permanent resident minors

Australia makes provision for situations where an adult has to escort a child to Australia with travel exemptions for the adult.

The child has to be a minor and an Australian citizen or permanent resident. Unless exceptional circumstances apply, the adult should be a relative, for example an aunt, uncle or grandparent.

Travel exemptions for this category are generally approved under the following circumstances:

  • One guardian for each child under the age of 2 generally gets a travel exemption
  • Only one guardian within the same family group for multiple children over the age of 2 generally gets a travel exemption

The Department of Home Affairs will consider additional guardians on a case-by-case basis if medical advice and evidence is provided.

6. Individual exemptions

You can request an individual exemption if you do not hold an eligible visa or you’re unvaccinated and hold any type of visa.

The Commissioner of the Australian border Force or decision makers may consider you for an individual travel exemption if you are a:

  • Foreign national travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority for the purpose of assisting in the COVID-19 response
  • Foreign national whose entry into Australia would be in the country’s national interest , supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority
  • Person providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
  • Foreign national with critical skills or working in a critical sector in Australia
  • Foreign national sponsored by your employer to work in Australia in an occupation on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL)
  • Person who resides on a vessel that seeks safe port at the close appointed port for reprovisioning or safety reason for a limited time, supported by the relevant state or territory government where safe haven is sought
  • Student who has been selected to take part in an International Student Arrivals Plan that has been:
    • approved by the relevant state or territory government, and
    • endorsed by the Department of Education, Skills and Employment as satisfying the Protocols and Preconditions for International Student Arrivals.
  • Student in your final three years of study of a medical university degree, where you have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice. The placement must commence within the next two months, and provide medical services to the Australian public.
  • Higher degree research student enrolled in an Australian education institution, including Masters by research and PhD students, with:
    • evidence of a current research grant from a Commonwealth agency or support from a relevant government agency outlining:
      • why the research is considered essential and/or in Australia’s national interest, and
      • how your role is critical to the research.
  • Student completing year 11 and 12, with:
    • endorsement from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE), and
    • support from the relevant state or territory government health and education authorities.
  • Student in the final two years of study of a dental, nursing or allied health profession university degree, where you have evidence of a confirmed placement in an Australian hospital or medical practice which begins with the next two months
  • Travelling for compassionate and compelling reasons.
  • Unvaccinated Prospective Marriage (subclass 300) visa holder in the following circumstances:
    • You subclass 300 visa has been granted, and
    • Your visa application was lodged at least 12 months before submitting a travel exemption request.

Contact us for assistance with travel exemptions

Our team have successfully applied for several travel exemptions already.

If you’d like us to help you apply for yours, please contact us on +27 (0) 21 20 28200. Alternatively, book a consultation call to speak directly with our licensed advisor.

Our advisor will talk you through the requirements to apply for a travel exemption, and assist with your application from start to finish.

 

Source: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au 

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Don’t hold off on your emigration due to COVID-19!

Our social media team did a poll on Facebook last week to ask our followers if they’re putting their emigration on hold due to COVID-19. Every single person who responded said that they have pressed paused until further notice.

Can you blame them?

Australia and New Zealand’s borders are still closed to most people from overseas and no-one can say when this will change.

With that being said, we don’t agree that putting your emigration on hold is the best decision.

Here’s why we say this:

1) Australia’s borders ARE open to critical workers

Australia has opened its borders to critical workers who find themselves on the new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) and to individuals in critical sectors or with critical skills:

Priority Migration Skilled Occupations List

Australia has developed a new priority skills list with 17 occupations called the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL). The purpose of the list is to allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers into Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors.

The PMSOL includes occupations in the healthcare, construction and IT sectors and applies to subclass 482, 494, 186 and 187 visas:

  • 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 Nurses:
    • Aged Care (254412)
    • Critical Care and Emergency (254415)
    • Medical (254418)
    • Mental Health (254422)
    • Perioperative (254423)
  • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
  • Developer Programmer (261312)
  • Software Engineer (261313)
  • Maintenance Planner (312911)

Travel exemption for individuals in critical sectors or with critical skills

Australia is extending travel exemptions to eligible in critical sectors or with critical skills such as:

  • Travelling at the invitation of the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority to assist in the COVID-19 response
  • Providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies
  • With critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services such as in:
    • Medical technology
    • Critical infrastructure
    • Telecommunications
    • Engineering and mining
    • Supply chain logistics
    • Aged care
    • Agriculture
    • Primary industry
    • Food production
    • Maritime industry
  • Delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery where there are no Australian workers available. Examples of such sectors are:
    • Financial technology
    • Large scale manufacturing
    • Film, media and television production
    • Emerging technology
  • Providing critical skills in religious or theology fields
  • Individuals whose entry would otherwise be in Australia’s national interested, supported by the Australian Government or a state or territory government authority

2) You can complete critical parts of your skilled migrant visa application despite the border closures

Let’s first explain why you’d want to do that. It’s simple. If you complete the critical parts now, you’ll be ready to submit your visa application as soon as the restrictions are lifted. You’ll be streets ahead of migrants who chose to wait and see what happens first.

Our advisors always tell our clients that their focus should be on the long term not the short term!

Let’s now look at those critical parts that you can tick off your to-do list. It is specifically the skills assessment, English test and Expression of Interest as it applies to subclass 189, 190 and 491 skilled migrant applications.

The skills assessment is valid for between two to three years and the English test is valid for 3 years. Expressions of Interests, which you submit if you score enough points, is valid for two years from the date of submission.

While there is still so much uncertainty all around the world, we are sure to have more certainty over the 12 to 18 months and things should return to something that closely resembles our ‘old normal’. This includes visa applications for Australia.

3) Australia might change its immigration regulations and you might end up being unable to apply for a visa

We don’t say this to scare you. We have seen this happen all too often in the past.

Take for example the increase in work experience requirements for employer sponsored work visas from two to three years. Let’s also not forget the increase in required points from 60 to at least 65 for the skilled migrant category.

Looking into the future, there are the reduced allocated visa numbers for the skilled migrant category for the 2020-21 migration year.

The skilled independent visa, for instance, had 16,652 allocated spots in the 2019-20 year. For the 2020-21 year, there are only 6,500 spots available. The skilled nomination visa and the skilled work regional visa saw similar large decreases for the new migration year.

Further to this, Australia is looking to implement mandatory English tests for the partners of Australians who are applying for permanent residency. If it’s passed in parliament, this legislation change will come into effect mid next year.

The requirement will also apply to the Australian partner if the partner is a permanent resident. Citizens would not have to complete an English test.

Ready to get going with your visa application?

If you read all of that and you agree with us that continuing with your visa application is the best idea, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team.

Our advisors can assess your eligibility and work out a personalized immigration plan. Our administrative team then helps you get your visa application ready for submission.

We want to see you realise your dream of living in Australia as much as you do, so we’re looking forward to walking this road with you!

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Couples living in limbo as Australia’s partner visa backlog reaches nearly 100,000 applications due to COVID-19

The world-wide COVID-19 pandemic has had many unintended consequences. One of those is the fact that nearly 100,000 Australians are now in the queue waiting for partner visa grants. This has left thousands of couples in limbo, and sometimes separated for months, while waiting on visa outcomes.

What are couples saying?

Jaskomal Kaur told Australian broadcaster SBS that she hasn’t seen her Melbourne-based husband Aditya Rajput since the couple got married in India in 2019.

Kaur said “It’s been over 15 months and I’m beginning to lose hope of reuniting with my partner. I have spent all my first occasions that are considered auspicious in the Indian culture alone at my parents’ house, instead of celebrating these special moments with Aditya.”

Swapnil Patel and his wife Monika are in a similar situation. The couple applied for a partner visa for Monika last year in June after she arrived in Australia to join Swapnil. Since then the couple have been extending Monika’s stay in the country by applying for new visitor visas.

Patel told SBS that he has spent close to AU$11,000 on visa applications thus far. This includes the partner visa application as well as subsequent visitor visa applications as the visitor visas are only valid for three months at a time.

What is the word from the Australian government?

Labour MP Julian Hill raised the issue of partner visa applications in the Parliament last month. He highlighted the plight of couples being separated and the emotional toll it’s taking on couples. He also called for action from the federal government to address the growing backlog.

When asked for comment by SBS, a spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs assured the broadcaster that although the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the Department’s operations, the Department continues to progress partner visa applications.

The spokesperson also mentioned the fact that some visa applicants are unable to proceed with their applications because services for certain criteria such as health checks and biometrics are unavailable at the moment in their home country. This is again due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Unfortunately, the Department of Home Affairs cannot process and finalise visa applications without all the necessary requirements in place.

Why the long wait?

The Kaurs and Patels, and countless other couples like them, have applied for the subclass 309 visa. The Department of Home Affairs states on their website that the processing times for this visa is between 18 months to 26 months.

The duration depends on individual circumstances and the complexity of the application.

The problem now is that while applications are still being submitted, the Department of Home Affairs are operating on a limited basis due to COVID-19. Naturally this means that it’s taking the Department even longer than normally to process visas.

This is our advice if you want to apply for a partner visa……

In a nutshell – speak to an immigration advisor. This is the best way to ensure that you get your partner visa application right. The last thing you want to do in the current climate is cause yourself further delays due to incorrect or missing documents.

Also take into consideration that a partner visa costs from AU$7,715. And that’s the government fees alone! If you don’t get your application right or it’s rejected, you’ll lose all that money.

We have seen that the average processing time for partner visa applications has increased drastically over the past few months. However, if a decision ready application is submitted a direct grant in a shorter period of time can usually be achieved.

Katrin Maja O’Flynn, Intergate Emigration Licensed Agent

Book your consultation today!

If you’d like licensed advice about your partner visa application, simply book a consultation call with Katrin Maja O’Flynn. Katrin is one of our licensed immigration agents and she’ll guide you on the requirements, assess your eligibility and advise on the best way forward.

Here’s what Dale and Kate, recent clients of ours, have had to say after dealing with our team:

Hi Maike, Katrin and Natanya,

This has literally been the most swift and efficient process I have ever experienced in my life. Less than 6 months from start to end…where we were expecting closer to 2 years. You have all been fabulous to work with and trust me, I have already referred many people to you.

I want to thank you so much for all you have done for us and giving us the key to start the chapter of our lives that we have been wanting to start.

Have a great week!

Thanks so much again!

Dale and Kate

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6 Important things to do if you want to emigrate to Australia

emigrate to australia

emigrate to australiaEveryone who wants to emigrate to Australia looks for a magic formula – a step-by-step plan to guarantee success. The truth is that the success of your emigration depends on many factors.

However, there are things you can do to make your emigration as smooth as possible. This starts long before you apply for the visa!

1. Have an immigration eligibility assessment done

To emigrate to Australia, you’ll need a visa to do so. There are a number of visas available for all kinds of purposes, from working to investing in a business.

The best way to find out if you qualify for one of these visas, is to do an eligibility assessment.

There are online assessments available but our advice is to get a licensed immigration agent to do the assessment with you.

You’d want to do this as a first step so that you know that you’re spending your time and energy on a dream that’s possible.

2. Do your homework if you’re going to work with an immigration agent

If you do decide to work with an immigration agent, ensure that this person is licensed and registered with MARA. That’s the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority of Australia.

By doing this, you’ll ensure that the advice you’re getting is based on the latest immigration regulations.

You’ll also have the peace of mind of working with an immigration agent that’s held accountable for the advice he or she gives you.

3. Research life in Australia

Hopefully you’ve been to Australia a few times and you know what to expect. But if you’ve never set foot Down Under, it’s wise to do some research. Find out:

This is just a starter list, so add to it whatever else is important to you. If you’re a parent, that might be information on schools. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be.

4. Start exploring the job market now

Exploring Australia’s job market will give you insight into the types of jobs that are available, the salaries within your industry, and the skills and experience employers ask for.

Of course you’ll need also need a visa. Read more about Australia’s skilled migration visas here and see here for information on employer sponsored visas.

5. Decide what you want to with your home and its contents – and whether you want to buy or rent once you’re in Australia

When it comes to your belongings, you can choose to ship everything, to store some or all of it, or to sell everything before emigrating to Australia. Compare the costs to see which route will make the most sense for you.

The next decision to take is whether or not to sell your current home or keep it. If you keep it, you could rent it out. The extra money could come in handy.

Of course there is the possibility that you’ll be forced to sell your home to finance your emigration. If you’ve gotten those cost estimates we discussed, you’ll know if this will be necessary or not.

Then the time will come to decide between renting and buying in Australia. Renting is a good place to start. It gives you time to find your feet before having to make huge property decisions.

6. Get cost estimates

We strongly advise getting estimates of costs to see exactly how much your emigration is expected to set you back financially. Many people don’t realise just how expensive moving countries can get.

Flights and visas are often just the beginning!

It’s also advisable to add initial living and housing costs to your budget, as well as emergency funds for at least the first 6 months.

Get in touch when you’re ready to emigrate to Australia

Intergate Emigration’s immigration agents are all licensed and registered with MARA. We’ve also helped hundreds of families emigrate to Australia!

To see how we can help you too, simply book a consultation call. Our advisors are ready to assist you.

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How do I know which Australian immigration agents I can trust?

australian immigration agents

australian immigration agentsThere are many stories of people ripped off by unscrupulous Australian immigration agents. Often people are left without savings in their bank accounts.

Even worse – deported, because the visa turned out be fake!

The best way to make sure that the person you are dealing with is the real deal, is to check that they are a migration agent listed on the website of the Office of Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA).

If you cannot find the ‘agent’ on MARA’s website, walk away and do not deal with them.

There are also other ways to tell if you’re dealing with the ‘real deal’ or not. Usually the signs come in the form of false promises or, plain and simple, outright lies.

Here are the most common of those that you’ll hear:

I can guarantee that you’ll get a visa

This is false. No-one can guarantee you’ll get a visa. Only authorised Australian immigration officers can grant you a visa and only when you have met all the visa requirements.

Pay now to register for the migration program

This is not how things work. You only pay for your visa application when you lodge it.

Please note: Your migration agent is allowed to charge for their services and most likely will do so. These charges will never come a surprise though. According to the MARA code of conduct, all charges for services rendered by an immigration agent must be detailed in your contract with your agent.

This is a ‘once in a lifetime opportunity’

It might be hard to believe, but some fraudulent agents actually call people to offer them visas. It’s then framed as an opportunity not to be missed. All to get money out of you!

MARA registered agents will never call you first to offer you migration ‘opportunities’. This a relationship that always start with the client, i.e. you’ll contact the agent.

Only I can pay the charges. Give me your money and I will pay the charges for you

False again. You can pay your own visa application charge. However, you might still choose to let your migration agent do it for you – but only do so if you’re sure you’re dealing with a registered agent!

I have a special relationship with the Department of Home Affairs

No-one has a ‘special relationship’ with the Department of Home Affairs (DoHA). It’s just not how it works. The DoHA treats all visa applications in a fair and impartial manner.

I am a skilled migration service provider/Australian Government registered/department registered

The only Australian immigration agents you should deal with are agents with a Migration Agent Registration Number (MARN). Do not take any agent on their word only! Look for a MARN number on the agent’s website or in their advertising.

Don’t worry, the Department of Home Affairs is still processing your visa

Do not just accept this. Your agent is obliged to let you know, in writing, about the progress of your application. Ask for a copy of the confirmation letter if necessary.

If the person can’t give you a confirmation letter, contact the DoHA directly for feedback on your application.

Keep in mind though that some applications do take longer than others, so there will be times when your immigration agent won’t have any feedback for you.

I need to keep your original passport/birth certificate/idendity document to give to the Department of Home Affairs

The DoHA usually only wants certified copies of original documents. In the event that the DoHA wants to see original documents, a DoHA visa officer will ask you for them.

Why is important to know this? Because you don’t want to be a victim of identity fraud – which you could easily be if you give your personal documents to a fraudster.

Want to know if you can trust our Australian immigration agents?

Yes, you can. Our immigration agents are licensed and registered with MARA. You can find their details on our website or on the MARA website:

If you’d like to get in touch with us to discuss your Australian immigration journey, please feel free to contact us.

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4 Tips on how to prepare for your English language test

If there is one part of the immigration process that’s underestimated by many, it’s the English language test. “But I can speak English, it won’t be a problem”.

Sure, but can you speak it to the level Australia requires? Can you demonstrate your reading, listening and writing skills well? And when was the last time you were subjected to the nail-biting anxiety of having to complete an exam in a certain time?

The score of your English language test could determine whether or not you can submit a visa application. Won’t you want to be as prepared as can be?

Tip 1: Understand the test format

The most common English language tests are the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English Academic).

Both of these tests consist of four parts:

  • Listening
  • Reading
  • Writing
  • Speaking

In turn, each part consists of a set of questions and tasks. Familiarising yourself with all the parts, questions and tasks will prepare you for what’s coming on test day. Going in blind is setting yourself up for failure!

Let’s give you the Listening component of the IELTS as an example:

You’ll listen to four recordings. Each recording is done in a different accent and only played once.

After listening to the recordings, you’ll have to answer questions based on what you’ve heard. This part of the test is broken down into four parts with 10 questions each. The formats of the questions include:

  • Multiple choice.
  • Matching.
  • Sentence completion.
  • Plan/map/diagram labelling.
  • Form/note/table/flow-chart/summary completion.

Can you already see why it’s important to prepare for your English test?

Tip 2: Practice with sample tests

Completing sample test materials will help to prepare you for the test in a big way! You’ll be able to:

  • Familiarise yourself with the test format.
  • Experience the types of tasks you’ll be asked to do.
  • Test yourself under timed conditions.
  • Review your answers and compare them with model answers.

This is like the tests that came before the big end-of-year exams at school. Do you think you would’ve done half as good in the exam if you didn’t write the tests beforehand?

Both IELTS and Pearson have sample tests available on their websites, and you download it here and here.

Tip 3: Consider working with an English language teacher

If you’d prefer someone to guide you, instead of preparing on your own, working with an English language teacher is the way to go.

Usually teachers offer tutor sessions over Skype and – big plus – it’s one-on-one. The teacher will introduce you to the test format, take you through sample tests, give feedback, and focus on your developmental areas.

Clients of Intergate can access our list of recommended English language teachers. If you haven’t asked for it yet, do so today.

Tip 4: Know what to expect on test day

Think back to your finals at school. Remember how you had to be seated at a certain time? Remember that you had to have at least two pens?

The English language test environment is similar. You’ll have to bring stipulated items with in order to be able to write your test. And you’ll have to be on time!

Your English language teacher, if you work with one, will be able to prep you on all the requirements. If you’re a client of ours, you can also speak to our advisors to find out what to expect on test day.

In summary…

This is not ‘just’ an English test.

This test forms part of Australia’s eligibility criteria for anyone who wants to live and work Down Under. Scoring well is crucial to increasing your overall points score and thus your chances of immigrating.

If you don’t prepare for your English test, you’re doing yourself a great disservice. You might also end up having to pay for another test – and we’re sure you wouldn’t want to do that.

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4 Uncomfortable truths about emigrating – Plus the good news

Immigrating is a huge undertaking. Especially if you’re doing it as a family! 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 journey? A good way to start is by reading the uncomfortable truths (and the good news) below.

1. 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 complete a skills assessment if your visa 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 the requirements of Australia’s Department of Home Affairs.

The good news

Our licensed immigration advisors can guide you through everything that’s required and ensure that it happens as and when 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.

2. Your emigration might not happen as quickly as you’d like

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 want it to.

For instance, the Department of Home Affairs might get an influx of applications for a new visa category which means everyone has to wait a bit longer on the outcome of their visas. Or, as we all now know, a pandemic could strike!

The good news

You can rest assured that we always compile your application as quickly as possible to submit it as soon as it’s possible. And while we cannot influence the Department of Home Affairs in any way, we do undertake to ensure that you’re never left in the dark about what’s happening with your application.

3. 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

When you deal with us, you’ll know exactly how much your visa application will cost. Simply book a consultation call!

Firstly, and most importantly, you’ll discover during the consultation call if you are eligible to move to Australia. You don’t want to spend money on a visa application if you don’t!

If you are eligible to immigrate to Australia, the licensed advisor will also discuss your visa options with you. However, if you aren’t immediately eligible, the advisor will discuss the best way forward.

After the call, if you are eligible to apply for a visa, you’ll get a complete quote outlining the costs of your application. Our team can also refer you to reputable pet importers and English language teachers so that you have an even better idea of the costs involved.

4. Emigration is not for the faint-hearted

Moving countries is a huge undertaking, so prepare for elevated stress and anxiety during your immigration! Take comfort in the fact that this is normal and that you can get through it. Don’t forget either that you’re doing one of the most exciting things any person can do!

The good news

You don’t have go it alone with our advisors at your side! Our team will 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:

Applying for an emigration visa is a big and important decision. Having a professional agency at your side that guides and solves the tasks in a structured manner, step by step, is essential for success!

I am enthusiastic about the fantastic service, the professionalism and the understanding, calm action even in challenging situations. Precise and reliable like a Swiss watch with heart! A big compliment and thank you to Katrin Maja O‘Flynn!

I will finally be able to meet again and marry my husband in South Australia. We were separated for so long. A painful and endless time is coming to an end thanks to the fantastic work of Katrin Maja O‘Flynn and her team.

~ Andrea

Hi Maike, Katrin and Natanya,

This has literally been the most swift and efficient process I have ever experienced in my life. Less than 6 months from start to end…where we were expecting closer to 2 years. You have all been fabulous to work with and trust me, I have already referred many people to you.

I want to thank you so much for all you have done for us and giving us the key to start the chapter of our lives that we have been wanting to start.

I will read all the documents later and advise on any queries, etc.

Have a great week!

Thanks so much again!

~ Dale and Kate

Hi Maike,

We are delighted to receive the news that our visa has been approved!

On behalf of my family I thank you and your team for your dedication and sense of urgency right through the application process. Thank you for your guidance and professionalism throughout the journey.

We are privileged to be in position of the visa and we know it wouldn’t have been possible without your valued contribution.

We will definitely recommend you to our friends and family.

~ Johan and Sunet

Ready to make your emigration easier?

Then book a consultation call! You’ll speak directly with one of our licensed immigration advisors who’ll take you through visa options and share the costs involved.

If you choose us as your immigration advisor, our team will guide you through your application, providing support and advice every step of the way.

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