Critical technology encompasses a wide array of technologies crucial for various sectors in Australia including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and advanced manufacturing. The unwanted transfer of critical technologies, along with associated expertise or knowledge, poses risks to Australia’s interests, from economic competitiveness to national security and sovereignty.

Australia’s Migration Regulations have been amended to target visa applicants and holders involved in critical technology-related activities. These changes allow the Minister for Home Affairs to refuse certain visas if there is an unreasonable risk of unwanted technology transfer. 

The revised regulations apply to various visa categories, including student visas, skilled migration visas, and temporary work visas. Visa applicants intending to pursue postgraduate research qualifications or apply for critical technology-related occupations must undergo enhanced screening procedures and some existing student visa holders must seek prior approval from the Minister for Home Affairs before enrolling in further studies.

The approval process entails submitting a request form and providing necessary evidence to demonstrate compliance with regulations specified by the Department. Failure to obtain approval before undertaking critical technology-related courses may result in visa cancellation. 

Australia aims to strike a balance between fostering international research collaboration and mitigating risks associated with critical technology transfer by enhancing its visa screening. Visa applicants and holders must comply with the new regulatory framework to ensure smooth processing and avoid potential refusal.

The new rules aim to ensure Australia remains a destination and partner of choice for innovation and research, while safeguarding its critical technologies and national interests.

The post Australia Enhances Visa Screening Measures for Critical Technology appeared first on Easy Migrate.

If you’re an international graduate who has been banking on the two-year extension to further your career or explore opportunities in Australia, it’s time to reassess your plans. From mid-2024 onwards, this option will no longer be available, meaning you’ll need to explore alternative pathways to achieve your migration goals.

There are still numerous pathways available for international graduates who wish to stay in Australia. Alternative visa options that align with your qualifications, career goals, and personal circumstances include skilled migration visas, employer-sponsored visas, or state-specific nomination programs.

The end of the two-year extension for Temporary Graduate Visa holder work right marks a significant change in the migration landscape of Australia but it’s essential to have a proactive mindset and be willing to explore alternative pathways. Stay informed, strategic, and resilient, you can navigate these changes with confidence and achieve your migration goals. Remember, the journey may have its challenges, but with the right guidance and determination, your dreams of a brighter future in Australia are well within reach.
Navigating the intricacies of migration laws and visa applications can be overwhelming, especially amidst policy changes.

Contact Easy Migrate for personalised advice and support tailored to your individual circumstances. Our experienced team of agents and lawyers can help you navigate the process, maximise your chances of success, and alleviate any uncertainties or concerns you may have.

Call or make an appointment with Easy Migrate now.

The post Australia Adjusts Temporary Graduate Visa Work Rights: These Are Your Options appeared first on Easy Migrate.

While property prices surged in many areas during the pandemic, in regional areas and satellite cities, you can still buy a very big house compared to other countries.

Australian citizens enjoy free healthcare, education and very low interest student loans to attend vocational and tertiary institutions. The average wage of an engineer in Australia is just over AU$100,000, according to recruitment site Indeed and the national minimum wage is AU$21.38 per hour or AU$812.60 per week.

Last year an Australian Labor government was elected, the migration intake was increased a significant 35,000 places in its 2022-23 migration program. 

The country’s intake is now capped at 195,000 places, but ask anyone in the land down under about the country’s skills shortage and you will find out that many businesses are suffering from a chronic shortage of workers. 

Many have started to limit opening hours, reduce capacity or even close up shop completely, simply because they cannot find staff to fill positions.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese hinted at how the Australian migration program would be managed in the coming years at the Jobs and Skills Summit, saying that Australia would have to take a long term approach to planning.

“We can’t just have this over-reliance on temporary labour. And there are so many professions, whether it’s nursing, whether it’s engineers, whether it’s chefs, where we’ve had skills shortages for a long period. It makes no sense to bring people in, have them for a few years, then get a new cohort in to adapt to the Australian work environment.”

-Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister of Australia

The sunburnt country has always been a number one destination for those looking for something better, migrating to Australia brings with it challenges, but the rewards are definitely worth it.

The Australian Government recently signed Ministerial Direction 100, streamlining the visa process for applicants and employer sponsors.

The post Migrating to Australia is a Good Move, There are More Visa Places, Plenty of Jobs appeared first on Easy Migrate.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison described the delay as “necessary” after announcing that the government would need time to gather more information about omicron.

Australia’s borders have been closed to foreigners without an exemption for more than one and a half years, causing unprecedented skills shortages in the $2 trillion economy in a range of industries.

“The hospitality industry remains in a once-in-a-lifetime workforce shortage where there are tens of thousands of open positions around the country that are not being filled,” said Wes Lambert, head of Restaurant and Catering Australia.

There are many temporary visa holders stuck in the country away from family with limited means of re-entering Australia who would bear a great emotional burden around the holiday season if the border opening was delayed again, according to KPMG’s national leader for immigration services, Belinda Wright.

There is a strong feeling in Australia that the border will reopen soon with Scott Morrison facing an election early next year.

Critics of his have highlighted the lack of appropriate quarantine facilities leading to outbreaks in populated areas and the recent uncontrolled outbreaks of the Delta strain in New South Wales and Victoria in their criticism of his leadership during the pandemic, saying he will need all the support he can get to win an election.

Opening the borders to foreigners as well as Australians will help galvanise his supporter base who are mainly business owners crying out for more workers.

Scott Morrison is still optimistic about opening the border saying, “We have one of the highest vaccination rates in the world, with 92.3 per cent having had a first dose and 86.8 percent of our eligible population now double vaccinated, and we have one of the only whole of population booster programs being delivered, with around 415,000 Australians having received their booster.”

“Australia has a proven record of dealing with COVID, we have one of the lowest fatality rates, highest vaccination rates and strongest economies in the world,” he said in a statement.

The post Australia’s Border Opening to Visa Holders Delayed appeared first on Easy Migrate.

Matters Relating to Western Australia’s Economic Relationship with Republic of India

Cyrus Mistry founding partner of EasyMigrate has had his submission to the WA Goverment Standing Committee about WA’s Economic relationship with India published.

Visa Advice for Temporary Visa Holders in Australia

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Not quite sure if it is worth booking in for a detailed (paid) assessment? Or do you simply prefer to deal with a real person?

Book in for a FREE 10 minute telephone Pre-Assessment with one of our qualified and experienced Migration Consultants who can quickly determine if you may have suitable visa options or pathways worth exploring further in a detailed (paid) Consultation.

Why EasyMigrate

Yes, EasyMigrate are open call + 61 8 9221 4888

 EasyMigrate is dedicated to providing the best advice and support to our  clients. Our team of specialist skilled migration agents can provide advice regarding all forms of visa including the best options for a skilled migration  visa as well as temporary and permanent residency in Australia.

Quoted by Ms Sharene Chua – SC500 Student visa was granted on 05/04/2018

This is definitely a great team. Cyrus and the team helped me in so many ways to process my visa. They are very accommodating and responsive all the time and they keep me posted. Above all, thank you so much and may God continue to bless you guys. I would definitely recommend you to my friends who would like to visit Australia. Cheers! 

Australian immigration advice

The first step in any migration journey is to find out what visa options are available to you (and which one is right for your particular circumstances). Our qualified and experienced Migration Consultants can provide you with comprehensive immigration advice across all areas and types of Australian visas – so whatever your circumstances, if there is a visa you qualify for, we can help!   

The post Enquiry about WA’s Economic relationship with India appeared first on Easy Migrate.

By Emma Gallagher

Thousands of UK families dream of relocating to Australia, and for good reasons. Australia offers excellent job opportunities, an efficient healthcare system, fantastic weather, first-class education, unspoilt nature and a laid-back lifestyle to name only a few of its drawcards. 

Unfortunately for many, the dream of living “Down Under” turns into a long, complicated waiting game with the Majority of UK migrants coming to Australia through the independent skilled migrant pathway. At first, it seems a straight forward process – Check your eligibility, submit an expression of interest (EOI), wait for an invitation and lastly, apply for your visa. For some, it is that easy, but as many people are discovering, waiting for an invitation that may never come is crushing. 

Skilled Migration 

Independent skilled visas are by far the most common skilled pathway to Australia. These visas allow foreign nationals who with suitable qualifications and/or experience in occupations deemed to be in demand, to live in Australia as permanent residents. To be eligible for a skilled visa, you must have a profession that is listed on one of the relevant Australian skilled occupations lists. You must score a minimum number of points in a “points test”. The Australian Government award points based on age, level of qualifications attained, years of work experience, English language competency as well as other factors depending on the applicant’s circumstances. 

From July 2018 the minimum points required for skilled visas increased from 60 to 65 points. However the number of places that can be invited in a year is set by the Australian government, and the competition is fierce. The sheer number of applicants vying for these invitation means that currently, you are unlikely to receive an invitation to apply with less than 80 points (some occupations are now requiring as much as 90 points to receive an invite). 

Cyrus Mistry (a Perth-based Registered Migration Agent) explains that “scoring enough points is particularly difficult for older applicants with trade skills, which are in particular demand in some areas of Australia”. Mr Mistry says that he regularly sees UK applicants on waitlists for up two years. Anthony Kelly from Northern Ireland was one of these people. Having achieved the minimum 60 points required in August 2017, Mr Kelly lodged his expression of interest with the hope he would be living in Australia by mid-2018. Unfortunately, having waited two years without receiving an invite to apply, Mr Kelly instead received an email on August 2019 that his EOI had expired. This is a disappointing reality for thousands of well-intentioned prospective applicants every year. 

Mr Kelly said he had considered giving up on moving to Australia and was considering other destinations when he was advised by Mr Mistry to consider different visa pathways offered in regional Australia. Fortunately for Mr Kelly, he heeded his Agent’s advice and is now happily living in Australia, having obtained a Skilled Regional visa to live and work in Australia’s Northern Territory. This visa allows Mr Kelly to live and work in regional Australia and, subject to living and working in regional Australia for a specified period, offers a pathway to permanent residence. Mr Kelly said he could not be more happy with the outcome and that he would still be waiting in the UK if it had not been for the advice to consider the opportunities in regional Australia. 

Regional Australia Pathways 

The Australian Government has recently made it a focus of its Migration program to tackle the impacts of an increasing population in major cities like Sydney and Melbourne by promoting visa pathways in Regional Australia where there is an appetite for population growth and, in particular, considerable demand for skilled migrants. 

One such visa pathway has been the expansion of the Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) scheme. These are labour agreements allowing eligible employers in designated regional areas to access skilled and semi-skilled workers from overseas to fill local labour market shortages. Mr Mistry advises that DAMAs are an increasing focus of the Australian Government’s migration program and that several DAMAs has been announced in the last six months, with more DAMA applications in the pipeline. Currently, there are DAMAs in place in the Northern Territory, the Goldfields in Western Australia, Great South Coast in Victoria, Adelaide City, Regional South Australia, Orana region in New South Wales and Far North Queensland – with more expected to be announced soon. 

The Goldfields region in Western Australia currently has DAMA covering 73 occupations. The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, located less than 600km from Perth, has been particularly vocal in their desire to have skilled migrants come to live in and grow their regional communities. Kalgoorlie-Boulder boasts small-town “old-school Australian” lifestyle where everyone comes together as a family. According to the CEO of the City, Kalgoorlie-Boulder has an estimated 1,500 job vacancies in a range of industries including mining, engineering, construction, healthcare, childcare and hospitality (amongst others). 

Earlier this year the Australian government announced two new regional visas to commence in November 2019 – the subclass 491 Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa which will have 14,000 places allocated in the first year and the subclass 494 Skilled Employer-Sponsored visas which will have 9000 places allocated to it this financial year. 

Mr Kelly, who migrated to regional Australia earlier this year, said that people should not be discouraged by regional Australia but should instead see it as an opportunity to fulfil their dream of living in Australia. Fiona Ward, who migrated to Kalgoorlie-Boulder eight years ago, said she thought she would prefer Sydney or Melbourne, but they were too big and fast-paced. She has made Kalgoorlie home and runs a successful construction company with her husband, who is also from the UK. 

If you would like to find out more about regional pathways in Australia, Mr Mistry will be attending the Down Under Live exhibitions in Birmingham (5th – 6th October) and London (12th – 13th October). Cyrus Mistry is the Founding Partner of EasyMigrate and has been specialising in Australian Immigration since 2001. Cyrus will be joined at the exhibition by Sword Recruitment Specialists who work with several businesses looking to recruit skilled workers in industries and occupations suffering local labour market shortages. 

If you would like to find out more about Australian visas our migration agents will be happy to check your eligibility. If you would like advice from our team of Registered Migration Agents, book in for a consultation now.

The post Why Choose Regional Australia? appeared first on Easy Migrate.

This page summarises changes to the lists of eligible skilled occupations for Australia’s skilled visa programs that will come in to effect on 17 January 2018. This includes occupations that will be:

This information has been sourced from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.

The post Summary of 17 January 2018 changes to the lists of eligible skilled occupations appeared first on Easy Migrate.

The Department of Immigration has released the analysis of the 3rd January 2018 round results (Expressions of Interest) for the visa subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) and 489 (Skilled Family Sponsored). EasyMigrate’s Principal Migration Consultant Mr Cyrus Mistry has reviewed these results:

“Broad Overview: I am disappointed with the number of “invitations” provided by the Dept of Immigration this time – only 305 which is the same as the last round of invitations! Worst still, not a single “Accountant” was invited! The total number of invitations for the last six months has been 12,941 so I expect that in the remaining financial year (Jan-June 2018) there is likely to be some increase in the number of invitations provided by the Department of Immigration.

Under the subclass 189 (Skilled Independent) visa, ONLY 300 invitations were issued in total with only 5 invitations under the subclass 489 (Skilled Family Sponsored) visa. This is a decrease of 2250 invitations compared to the October 2017 invitations and 1105 invitations less than the November 2017 round. Please note that these figures do not include invitations under the state-nominated subclasses SC190 and SC489.

For this round, most invitations (208) were to applicants who have 75 points. Another 62 invitations went to persons with 70 points.  There were NO INVITES to applicants with 60 or 65 points. 29 invites were to applicants on 80 points with 6 invitations going to applicants having 85 points or more.

I wish to highlight again that about 15% of the “invitations” usually do not get taken up (because of the applicant’s changed circumstances). These “invitations” expire after 60 days and lead to a “re-invite” in the next round of invitations (maximum two invites). When the number of invitations is reduced by DIBP to a paltry 300 (instead of the usual 2000-3000 per month) then these “re-invitation” tend to skew the results and give inaccurate statistics. I wonder when DIBP will wake up to this reality and make necessary adjustments in their reporting.

For the occupations subject to pro-rata arrangements, Accountants did not get any invitations. I am hoping that DIBP recommences invitations for “Accountants” soon. Accountants have been excluded from some Oct-Nov 2017 rounds also!

Electronics Engineers got invited at 70 points with the date of effect 20-09-2017, so they seem to have about four months waiting in the queue.

Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers got invited at 75 points with date of effect 02-01-2018. This date is quite significant.

Other Engineering Professionals got invited at 70 points with date of effect 31-10-2016 which seems to be an aberration or a typing mistake on the DIBP website.

ICT Professionals (Business and Systems Analysts, Software Programmers and Network Professionals) got invited at 70 points with visa date of effect ranging between 30-08-2017 and 21-09-2017 – about 4-5 months waiting in the queue.

3 January 2018 Invitation round

#AustralianMigrationMadeEasy

The post Skill Select Results January 3rd 2018 appeared first on Easy Migrate.