Every year on 1 July, the Australian Government releases the annual Federal Budget which includes information about visa policy. This means new Skilled Occupation Lists, visa fee increases and more.
This year, because of COVID, the budget will be delayed until October 2020.
Below, we have outlined the ways in which this could affect your skilled visa application.
How does the 1 July impact me?
States delay re-opening – The Federal budget includes visa quotas, which simply states how many visas will be issued for the migration year. Without this number, States cannot begin to offer sponsorship invitations under the 190 and 491 visa programs. State nominations will remain temporarily closed until the Government allocates visa quotas for the 2020-21 migration year.Therefore, we expect states to re-open around October time, meaning invitations to apply will be delayed. We cannot advise your state sponsorship options until the states reopen and publish their new occupation lists.
Visa fee increase – The budget details the new visa application charges (due on visa lodgement). Generally, the fee increase is in line with inflation and is therefore minimal. Once these costs have been published you can view them on the Government website. A minor increase to the surcharge on credit card and PayPal payments has already come into effect.
What can I do while I wait?
States will be inundated with applications as soon as they open, so we advise using this time to prepare the best possible application to put forward. It is preferable to be ready to apply once the States re-open their programs.
We recommend:
Completing your skills assessment
Completing your English test (as soon as centres re-open)
Continue working in your nominated occupation (unless furloughed)
Collecting the required documents for EOI lodgement
Ensuring you have the funds available for your State nomination application
Research each state and take notes of what lifestyle and jobs each state offers
Should I take migration advice from Facebook groups and forums?
No. We like to remind our clients to proceed with caution when using Facebook groups and forums. Do not post copies of your documents online such as skills assessments, as you leave yourself open to fraudulent activity.
Some of the comments made on forums can create hysteria and false expectations in regard to migration law and visa processing times. Discussion amongst expats is very different to the actual Australian Migration Law. If you are uncertain then speak with an experienced Registered Migration Agent.
We have seen recent 1 July comments stating that Australia’s skilled visa program is closed indefinitely. We would like to reassure you that the program has been closed temporarily by the Australian Government, to allow time to restructure the Skilled Occupations List, visa fees and quota for skilled migration.
To summarise
It will be quiet over the next few months as Australia recovers from COVID, and determines what skills are needed to rebuild their economy.
Skilled visas will remain competitive, so if you can gain extra points from re-sitting the English test or are open to moving to different states, then you will secure your visa more quickly. States have more people apply than there are spaces. This means states generally choose applicants with the highest points and most work experience. You need to be prepared to relocate to where the work is.
It will take longer to secure your skilled visa and you may need to be more flexible about where you initially relocate. Using the services of Visa Go Australia can ensure you put forward the best application possible and remain fully updated throughout the constant changes.
https://visa-go.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Australia-Map-scaled.jpg17082560Kimberley Chatthttps://visa-go.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo-new.pngKimberley Chatt2020-07-02 10:15:072020-07-15 14:16:071 July Changes – A New Migration Year
Visa Go have been amazing from day one in supporting us with our visa application for moving to Australia. Sue was our case officer and has been so patient in answering all of our questions and providing updates along the way. Having someone who we trusted to take care of the process really took the pressure off. The communication is excellent. We were granted our 491 visa yesterday morning!!! We will be using Visa Go when the time comes to apply for our permanent residency 191 🎉☀️
This was one of the most difficult challenges of my life to obtain a regional skilled migration visa for Australia. There were so many obstacles and hurdles to jump due to Covid lockdown and a race against ageism rules of turning 45. I certainly could not have done this without the help of visa go! Managed to secure an Invitation to apply from the Australian Government and with the assistance of my wonderful agent managed to fast track my ITA four days before my birthday! Never give up on your dreams. I now have my visa that can lead to PR thanks to Visa Go! You guys were awesome and really appreciate your help. ☺️
I can’t thank Kimberley and Darren enough for all the time, effort and support they gave us whilst going through our visa process. They answered any and all questions and made such a daunting undertaking much less stressful with all their advice and guidance. Would highly recommend!
We would just like to say a huge thank you to the Visa Go Australia team, especially Sue our caseworker who has been fantastic since the start, everything went smooth through the whole process, we was kept updated and informed along the way. We would definitely recommend and we can’t wait to head down under now our Visa has been granted. Couldn’t of done it without you. Thank you again!
After 4 1/2 years since our first contact with Visa Go Australia, and just over 3 years since starting our process with them, our visa has finally been granted and I cannot thank Sue and Darren enough! We had a very complex skill assessment stage but without Sue helping us with what we had to do, it wouldn’t of been possible without her. I highly recommend using Visa Go if you’re ready to start your journey to Australia or anywhere else, they have made our dreams come true! Thank you Sue, Darren and Kimberley 😁
I would highly recommend visa go. Darren always took the time to answer any questions and help me through the process. Within weeks he had my partner visa submitted and now I have my permanent residency! I couldn’t thank Darren and the team enough 👍
Visa Go Australia are experts in their field. My case officer, Sue, has been very professional and knowledgeable throughout the process providing great customer service, from providing the documents required to promptly replying to all queries. So, to Darren, Kimberley and Sue, thank you all for your support to achieve my Visa.
Good and efficient services, clear information on what documents to provide and quick answers to my questions. Got two visas approved with Kimberleys help 😊.
Visa Go Australia provided amazing service when applying for a partner visa. They provide great support and advice throughout the process to ensure your application is done perfectly. Kimberley was always very patient answering my questions, and following up on things I missed. I would highly recommend Visa Go to anyone applying for an Australian visa.
Visa Go were fantastic at helping me secure my partner visa . The whole process was very simple and well explained - and I got the permanent residency after only a few months which was amazing. Kimberley was very helpful and supportive throughout the process and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone!
Kimberley and Darren helped myself and my partner with our Australian residencies and we couldn’t be happier. Even through lockdown Kimberley was attentive and on the ball at all times, my visa process took no time at all! I’ve already recommended friends to visa go as they truly know what they are doing and are there to help and make the process as straight forward as possible. Highly recommend!!!
I used Visa Go to apply for my Partner Visa and I have been super impressed with the service and turnaround time. Kimberley was very thorough with her communication and kept us updated through out the whole process. I can’t recommend the service enough!
My agent with Visa go was Kimberley Chatt. She was fantastic the whole way through. Always had very professional and prompt responses whenever I had a query. I felt like she went above and beyond to help me understand each step of the process. I now have my permanent partner visa in Australia and couldn't be happier. She turned what can often be a long arduous ordeal into a streamlined easy process. I would highly recommend this agency to anyone looking to immigrate to Australia. Thanks again Kimberley!
My Husband and I used Visa Go Australia to support us through our Visa process. Our Visa advisor was Sue, Sue was great from start to finish, always so helpful and replied to our emails and calls so quickly. Our visa process took 11 months (as expected for the visa we applied for) and Sue kept us on track and up to date all the time, extremely organised and always happy to help and provide us with her support. I highly recommend Visa Go Australia, we couldn't imagine trying to go through this process without Sues help and guidance. Samantha Mills
Visa Go provided an excellent service. They were professional, helpful and efficient throughout the visa process and Sue, my designated migration agent, always had words of encouragement to help deal with the tedium of the paperwork. I am a professional and I thought using a migration agent was probably unnecessary. I thought I could manage the paperwork process myself. However, it quickly became clear to me that an agent's assistance was very necessary. Visa Go's knowledge was invaluable and I have no hesitation in recommending their services.
Using Visa Go Australia was the BEST decision we made when planning for our move to Australia. My husband is British and needed an offshore 309 spouse visa. Sue made our life so much easier supporting us every step of the way. I was impressed with her knowledge, every question I had was answered quickly and with confidence. There is a huge amount of time and effort your agent does in the background so that you don't have to. I always felt like a priority and that I was in the safe hands of an expert. Not to mention how kind and friendly the agents are. I would highly recommend this company to anyone - 5 star service!
Visa Go Australia were integral in getting our visas granted, without them the whole process would have been so difficult for us to get everything right, they were always so happy to help no matter how silly the question. They split the process up in to manageable chunks and made sure that we were always ready for the next step which really minimised the stress of it all. Can't thank Darren and Kimberley enough. Calam, Charlie and Rory
Me and my partner Cynthia have successfully been granted our partner visa for Australia and could definitely not have done it without all of the never ending help from Sue. Any visa process is always stressful, yet they helped so much with any problems we had along the way. I can't recommend this company enough! If you're worried about applying for a visa, you can rest assured that with their experience and knowledge, partnered with how lovely they always are even with the smallest of questions that you will be having your visa granted in no time with minimal stress! Thank so much for all your help! Jonas & Cynthia
We were recently granted a PR Visa and the work that Sue puts in in the background is commendable. Darren and Sue have been great to work with over the last 2 years and we were kept up to date the whole way. I would highly recommend anyone applying for a visa to do it through them. They made sure we had all the information at every step of they way and nothing was ever a problem if I called or emailed. Thank you so much to all of the team! Denny, Victoria and Caitlyn
I can not recommend these enough, was with us all the way, even when things got frustrating, no fault of the company, just how long the process takes. You do have to be patient and understand they have to wait on the migration department. It is worth using an agent. They completed a PMV300 for us and are now doing the next stage. It really does unburden a lot of stress during what is a stressful time. Even long after I was given advice and guidance when the job had already been completed. Honest, reliable and understanding. Thank you and keep well all. Marie & Jodie
https://visa-go.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Passport-uk-travel-scaled.jpg8001200Kimberley Chatthttps://visa-go.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/logo-new.pngKimberley Chatt2023-01-11 08:25:322023-01-11 08:36:15How to update passport details with Australian immigration
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