Applying for an Australian skilled visa is a lengthy and complicated process. The purpose of Australia’s skilled migration program is to fill gaps in Australia’s workforce to grow their economy. This is reflected in Australia’s skilled occupation lists and state sponsorship requirements, both of which dictate who can secure a visa to live and work in Australia.
With covid rocking world economies and threatening global health systems, securing a skilled visa has become more difficult and changes are occurring on a more frequent basis. Below, we outline the most recent changes impacting overseas skilled visa applicants.
Speak with a licensed migration agent today
States reopen sponsorship programs
As Australian states reopen their sponsorship programs, there is much confusion about who is eligible. Below, we outline the basic eligibility for offshore applicants.
- South Australia is open to limited offshore applicants. We have had two clients successfully gain South Australian sponsorship and invitations to apply for their skilled visas in less than 2 weeks!
- Tasmania is open to offshore applicants with a job offer. We have had one client successfully secure a job offer, receive an invitation, and lodge their skilled visa within one month.
- New South Wales, Western Australia, ACT and Victoria are closed to offshore applicants.
- Queensland remains temporarily closed. We do not expect them to open to offshore applicants anytime soon given the current climate.
To summarise, offshore applicants can only apply to South Australia or Tasmania (job offer) for state sponsorship. Options continue to be very limited, and we encourage our clients to take whatever options are available to them (if any).
South Australia occupation list
There is much excitement about states reopening, but the reality is that it generally applies to onshore applicants only. If you want to understand your visa options, then seek advice from a licensed migration agent. We charge just £60 for a consultation with our agent. Determining your exact visa options before spending large amounts of money on the process is advisable.
Skill Assessment Fee Increases
A skills assessment is the first process in securing an Australian skilled visa. Each occupation has a different assessing body with different requirements and fees.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) will increase their fees on 1 September 2021. TRA announced this the Federal Budget 2021-22. You can find their latest fees on the TRA website.
Learn more about emigrating to Australia as a tradesperson
Teachers can expect a fee increase on 1 September 2021 also. The Australian Institute for Teaching and School Leadership (AITSL) will increase their fee from $860 to $1050 AUD.
Learn more about the costs and processes of emigrating to Australia as a teacher
Vetassess professional occupations – Changes to required evidence
On 9 August 2021, Vetassess changed the way professional occupations evidence their work experience. New forms have been created for selected professional occupations to complete as part of their skills assessment. This is to enable applicants to present their portfolio of work in a more streamlined and concise manner.
Certain applicants must download and fill in the editable form, then log on to the online application portal to upload it as part of the documentation requirements.
The new forms will be used to support skills assessment applications in the below occupations:
- Conference and Event Organiser
- ICT Sales Professionals
- Technical Sales Representatives
- ICT Sales Representative
- Sales Representative (Industrial Products)
- ICT Account Manager
- Sales Representative (Medical and Pharmaceutical Products)
- Technical Sales Representative nec
- ICT Business Development Manager
- Farmers and farm-related occupations
For Designers and Draftspersons, you should provide a link to your portfolio or upload samples of your design work.
Download the PDF of VETASSESS occupations
See if you qualify for a skilled visa today
While Australia is still accepting skilled visa applications, it has become a more difficult and lengthy process. If you would like an honest and professional service then we recommend booking a consultation with an experienced and licensed migration agent. Best of luck!
