Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents

Your Australian Visa Our Focus

Congratulations to our latest Global Talent Visa client who obtained the subclass 858 visa in 6 to 7 weeks. Rob is now a proud Australian permanent resident and we are delighted to have assisted him with his visa application.

Click here to learn the criteria for the Global Talent Visa

If you think you may be eligible for a GTI visa, email your CV, a description of your prominence in one of the target sectors and your ability to attract the salary threshold to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Do you need help?

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Based in Adelaide South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Global Talent Independent (GTI) visa is an easy pathway to Australian permanent residency for those that can qualify. Often, potential GTI applicants will have met all of the requirements but are unable to find a nominator. One of the most common barriers that GTI applicants may encounter, especially offshore applicants, is locating an Australian person or organisation to nominate them. As the national body for the ICT sector, the Australian Computer Society (ACS) is willing to provide nominations for GTI applicants. 

Click here to learn the criteria for the Global Talent Visa

One of the requirements of a GTI visa is for the applicant to be nominated by an Australian person or organisation who has a national reputation in the same field as the applicant. For many offshore GTI applicants, this requirement may be difficult especially when they have not had the chance to network with people in their field.

The Australian Computer Society (ACS) has recently indicated that they will be providing nominations for some applicants for the GTI visa program.

They are focused on the following target sectors:

• Cyber Security
• Quantum Information
• Advanced Digital
• Data Science 
• ICT

The cost for this service is currently set at AUD $500, to account for time spent assessing the candidate.

They are open to nominating applicants who are both overseas or in Australia.

ACS Nomination Process

Step 1: Lodge an Expression of Interest with the Department of Home Affairs.

Step 2: If eligible, the Department of Home Affairs will provide a Global Talent Identifier number.

Step 3: Send your CV to ACS with an explanation of your relevant qualifications, skills and experience in one of the sectors above.

Step 4: If suitable, ACS will progress your application and ask for the nomination fee. Further information may be requested. You may need to attend an interview with ACS.

Step 5: ACS will complete the nomination form and provide you with a nomination letter for the visa application.

The ACS will be nominating candidates who can show they will be an asset to their industry in Australia. This will be an advocacy driven process, in a similar way to the GTI visa program as a whole. Therefore it is important that any submissions for a nomination from ACS will demonstrate the applicant's skills and expertise in their relevant field.

How can Work Visa Lawyers help?

Work Visa Lawyers can help you with all steps in the Global Talent visa application process, including with applications for nomination from the ACS.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your Australian visa or appeal.

Contact us on (08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.

The state of Victoria has announced a few updates to their state nomination occupation list and business visa nomination requirements. Here is a summary of the updates.

ICT Occupations no longer available for state nomination

The following ICT occupations are no longer accepted for state nomination from Victoria:

• 135112   ICT Project Manager
• 261111   ICT Business Analyst
• 261112   Systems Analyst
• 261311   Analyst Programmer
• 261312   Developer Programmer
• 261313   Software Engineer
• 261314   Software Tester
• 261399   Software and Applications Programmers nec
• 262111   Database Administrator
• 262112   ICT Security Specialist
• 263111   Computer Network and Systems Engineer

The temporary suspension of sponsorship for the ICT occupations above will last until 6 March 2017.

Occupations removed from Victoria state nomination occupation list

The following occupations are no longer eligible for sponsorship from the state of Victoria:

• 234411 Geologist
• 234412 Geophysicist

Updates to the Business Innovation and Investment visas for Victoria

The Victorian Government has announced the following changes to the business innovation and investment visas nominated by the state government of Victoria.

• Approval from Victorian Government no longer required for change in complying investments
• A new application form for the subclass 888 Significant Investor Visa will be available in early 2017
• Significant investor visa holders nominated by Victoria are reminded to notify the state government when they arrive in Victoria
• The application form for the recently launched subclass 188 Entrepreneur Visa is now available on the LiveInVictoria website
• The factsheet about the Entrepreneur Visa for Victoria is available here
• A new application form for the subclass 888 Investor Visa stream will be available in early 2017

Additionally the Victoria Skilled and Business Migration Programme Department will be closed on the following dates:

• Boxing Day public holiday: Monday 26 December 2016
• Christmas Day public holiday: Tuesday 27 December 2016
• New Year’s Day public holiday: Monday 2 January 2017

Sources:

http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/about-us/news#.WEX_m_l9670

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

As 2016 comes to a close State and Territory departments may start looking at planning numbers and introduce a temporary suspension of nomination for certain occupations, or announce higher requirements for occupations which have a high number of applications. Visa applicants are advised to obtain state nomination from the relevant State/Territory as soon as possible before changes are introduced.

This information is accurate on 6 December 2016

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) Review, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Information and Communications Technology (ICT) professionals have been a main group of applicants for the Skill Stream of the Australian Migration programme for a long time. In the year 2014-2015, 2 out of the top 5 occupations of primary applicants in the Skill Stream were ICT positions. ICT professionals are identified by 3 main groups in Australia, namely:

• ICT Business and Systems Analysts (ANZSCO: 2611)

• Software and Applications Programmers (ANZSCO: 2613)

• ICT Support and Test Engineers (ANZSCO: 2632)

According to the Job Outlook website by the Australian Government Department of Employment, here is a table summarising job prospects and median weekly salaries for ICT professionals in Australia:

*Weekly earnings for all occupations were $1,152

The employment indicators for ICT professionals look favourable for the future and it is expected that many ICT professionals from overseas will be moving to Australia temporarily or permanently. ICT professionals from overseas can move and work in Australia by applying for:

• Employer Sponsored visas such as:

  • Temporary Work (Skilled) – the “457” visa

  • Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) - subclass 187 visa

  • Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) - subclass 186 visa

• General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas such as:

  • Skilled Independent - subclass 189 visa

  • Skilled Nominated - subclass 190 visa

  • Skilled Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) - subclass 489 visa

The visa options are also available to international students who have completed their studies in Australia. The Temporary Graduate visa is an additional visa that is available to international students who meet the Australian study requirement.

Most visa applications for ICT professionals will need a positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS). The ACS Skills Assessment has many different pathways and you will need to check that you meet the requirements of the correct pathway that is applicable to your circumstances (qualifications, work experience, etc.). Here are some of the considerations you should take note of when applying for a Skills Assessment from ACS:

• Is your IT qualification highly relevant to your role at work/nominated occupation?

• Is your IT qualification equivalent to an Australian diploma? Or Bachelor’s degree?

• Did you work in different roles during your IT career? You cannot combine work experience from different IT occupations for the Skills Assessment.

• ICT Support Technicians are assessed by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and not the ACS

• Professional IT qualifications or vendor certifications, such as Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE), Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD), Cisco Professional, Cisco Expert and Cisco Architect are accepted as IT qualifications for ACS Skills Assessment purposes.

As other traditional major occupations such as Accountants face saturation in the Australia visa application pool, studying in an IT education course may lead to a better pathway for further visa applications. Currently Accountants need to score 70 points in the Expression of Interest (EOI) to receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). ICT professionals in ANZSCO group 2611 and 2613 only need 65 points to receive an ITA.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The strong employment outlook and attractive conditions will help ICT professionals make a decision on moving to Australia. Prospective students should also consider studying in the field of ICT as the profession looks more favourable for visa applications that allow further stay in Australia.

Work Visa Lawyers is very familiar with the ACS Skills Assessment requirements and can also provide guidance on the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) pathway for suitable applicants. We will help identify the right application pathway and manage the application for you. Contact us to book an appointment and we can explain the ACS skills assessment process and your Australia visa application procedures to you.

This information is accurate on 14 November 2015

Source:

1. http://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/statistics/2014-15-Migration-Programme-Report.pdf

2. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?code=2611&search=industry&Tab=prospects

3. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=industry&tab=prospects&cluster=&code=2613

4. http://joboutlook.gov.au/occupation.aspx?search=industry&tab=prospects&cluster=&code=2632

5. https://www.acs.org.au/migration-skills-assessment/information-for-applicants

6. http://www.border.gov.au/WorkinginAustralia/Pages/SkillSelect-23-October-2015-Round-Results.aspx

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

More news in relation to the Australian migration programme in the new fiscal year! Here is an overview:

• Occupation Ceilings for the 2015-16 Fiscal Year Released – Bad news for Accountants and Registered Nurses
• A separate Occupation List for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Direct Entry is now in effect

Occupation Ceilings for the 2015-16 Skilled Migration Programme

The occupation ceiling determines the number of invitations allowed for a certain occupation for each programme year, essentially a planning number for occupations suitable for migration. Here are some key points of the new occupation ceilings:

• Accountants experience the largest reduction among all occupations – down 54% to 2525 places for the programme year
• Registered Nurses had its ceiling reduced by 1170 places – an 8% decrease
• Dentists are removed from the list
• Metal Fitters and Machinists up 1254 places – an 18% increase
• Plumbers up 666 places – a 15% increase
• Panelbeaters and Cabinetmakers now included

Additionally the following occupations will receive invitations on a pro rata arrangement to ensure availability of invitations throughout the programme year:

• Accountants (ANZSCO 2211)
• ICT Business and Systems Analyst (ANZSCO 2611)
• Software and Applications Programmer (ANZSCO 2613)

New Occupation List for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) Direct Entry Stream

There is now an occupation list specific to the RSMS Direct Entry visa application. Business sponsors, applicants and migration agents must now refer to the occupation list to determine eligibility for the Direct Entry RSMS.

Comments by Chris Johnston – Principal Lawyer and Registered Migration Agent at Work Visa Lawyers

The new occupation ceilings for Accountants and certain ICT professionals indicate that the Australian Federal Government thinks that there is currently an oversupply of Accounting and ICT applications in the queue for processing. It is still possible to obtain an invitation via the Skilled Sponsored (subclass 190) in this programme year as the state nominated visas are not subject to occupation ceilings. This adds further competition for the limited places available for state sponsorship so get in early if possible.

The new RSMS Direct Entry Occupation List must be referred to when lodging new RSMS Direct Entry application on and after 1 July 2015. All parties should check that the occupation for the application is on the list before submitting the application.

This information is accurate on 7 July 2015

Source:

1. http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Skil#tab-content-3
2. https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01018/Download

Do you need help with an Australian visa application?

At Work Visa Lawyers we are experienced in assisting applicants in all matters relating to Australian visa applications, including state sponsorship applications. Our areas of expertise include Skilled Migration visas, Business Skills Migration visas, Employer Sponsored Work Visas, Partner and other Family Migration visas as well as Migration Review Tribunal, Judicial Review and Ministerial Intervention.

If you require further information regarding your Australia visa options you can contact us through:

(08) 7225 5091 or +61 8 7225 5091

or   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.