Migration Matters

15/05/2025

Congratulations to our client for getteing the skill assessment as ROOF TILER.

04/04/2025

Congratulations to our client for 186 visa grant. Wishing you success, growth, and unforgettable experiences on your journey!

Lodged -15/11/2023
Granted- 01/04/2025
Occupation- Engineering Technologist

24/04/2024

https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/points-test-system-for-skilled-migrants-set-for-overhaul/8r9ac9wlj

Testing for prospective migrants to Australia to obtain visas is set to undergo its first overhaul in more than a decade as part of a revamp of the country's immigration system.

03/04/2024

***NSW 491 NOMINATION-PATHWAY 1 EXPERIENCE REDUCED TO 6 MONTHS***

NSW Government Announces a Change to Skilled Work Regional Visa (subclass 491) Under Pathway 1 Nomination Criteria – Effective Immediately

The NSW Government is pleased to announce an important update to the nomination criteria for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1. Effective immediately.

This adjustment will make the pathway more accessible to skilled workers living and working in regional NSW, to better support regional development and the local economy.

Updated Nomination Criteria for Pathway 1
Previously, applicants for Pathway 1 were required to have been living and working in a designated regional area of NSW for at least 12 months with a single regional NSW-based employer, among other requirements. Based on industry feedback at our recent Regional Skilled Migration seminars, we are now reducing this employment duration requirement to 6 months.
Key Changes:
• Reduced Employment Duration: Applicants must now be currently living and working in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past 6 months, instead of the previous 12 months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, opening up opportunities for those who have been contributing to the regional economy and communities for six months.

Remaining Criteria:
• Employment must be with a single regional NSW-based employer working from an established business premises in regional NSW.
• The role must be in the applicant's nominated (or closely related) occupation.
• The occupation must be deemed skilled by NSW.
• Applicants must be paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $70,000 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from their qualifying employer in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in the 6 months immediately before applying.
Important Reminders:
• Skilled employment must occur after NSW deems the applicant skilled in their occupation and must appear in their SkillSelect EOI.
• Applicants must lodge their visa application onshore and must not have a current visa application being decided by Home Affairs for a permanent visa.

Supporting Regional NSW
This policy adjustment is part of our ongoing commitment to support regional NSW by attracting skilled workers to our communities. It reflects our understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by regional employers and migrants, and our dedication to fostering a vibrant, diverse, and economically robust regional NSW.

10/12/2023

https://apple.news/AxAFpYzS4T3immFio6mw-vA

Labor’s new immigration strategy will impose tougher tests on overseas students and turn away workers with low skills.

08/12/2023

Breaking News

***New Migration Strategy to be announced on Monday***

Australia will have a smaller overall migration intake under the landmark strategy the Albanese government will launch on ­Monday, with an emphasis on new pathways for permanent settlers and highly skilled workers, as well as tougher rules to eject the temporary visa holders the nation does not need to stay.

27/09/2023

***IMPORTANT UPDATE NSW STATE NOMINATION***

NSW will focus on priority sectors rather than skilled occupation lists
To better address the evolving skills shortages across the state, NSW is shifting from publishing a list of eligible ANZSCO unit groups to a new sector-focused approach.
What's Changing
Previously, we published a skills list comprised of specific ANZSCO unit groups. Effective immediately, we're now focusing on priority sectors that need skilled talent.
NSW Target Sectors
The sectors we've identified align closely with the skills shortages in NSW and include:
• Health
• Education
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
• Infrastructure
• Agriculture
Although our focus this program year is on key sectors, high-ranking EOIs submitted in non-priority sectors may also be considered; however, due to the exceptionally high demand and limited places, we strongly recommend anyone considering NSW nomination to also explore all other migration options available to them.
Skilled Invitation Rounds
Invitation rounds are an important part of the NSW nomination process. Here is what you need to know:
• Timing: Invitation rounds will continue to occur throughout the financial year. There are no predetermined or publicly announced dates for invitation rounds.
• Selection: NSW considers multiple factors when selecting EOIs. These include your points score, English language proficiency, and your skilled work experience. We will prioritise EOIs submitted in NSW Priority Sectors identified above.
• Invitation: Invitation for NSW nomination is at the sole discretion of the NSW Government.
• Submission Date: The date you submit or amend your SkillSelect EOI has no impact on your likelihood of being invited.
We intend to commence invitation rounds for the Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190) next week.
Supporting Regional Development
Regional development remains a priority for NSW. Our regional skilled migration program is designed to help businesses in regional NSW attract qualified talent. Information about the program's reopening will be made available after we have finalised all applications from the previous financial year.

31/08/2023

***Closure of the Pandemic Event visa***

​​Joint media release with the Hon Andrew Giles MP

The Albanese Labor Government is closing the Pandemic Event visa.

From February 2024, the visa will be closed to all applicants. This will provide certainty to our visa system now that the circumstances that drove the operation of the visa no longer exist.

From 2 September 2023, the Pandemic Event visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders.

All other visa holders will be ineligible for the Pandemic Event visa. This is a transitional measure to promote visa integrity.

Anyone with a valid Pandemic Event visa will remain lawful until their current visa expires.

The staged closure of the visa is another measure to ensure the visa system is serving the needs of the Australian people.

Labor inherited a migration system with backlog after backlog, delays and endless waitlists. The Albanese Government hasn’t wasted a day in cleaning up the mess left by the former Liberal Government.

The Albanese Government has recently ended a series of pandemic measures, including unlimited work hours for international students and work exemptions for Working Holiday visa holders.

These measures combined place downward pressure on Net Overseas Migration, which continues to rebound post-pandemic, and will help support the return to pre-pandemic levels of population growth.

From 2 September 2023, new applications will receive a six month visa. A Visa Application Charge of $405 AUD will also be introduced.

These settings will further ensure that the visa is only used by those who have a genuine need to remain and contribute to Australia.

People who currently hold a Pandemic Event visa and seek to apply for a different visa will need to meet the criteria for that visa.

Those without any options for other visa applications are expected to depart Australia when their visa expires.

Quotes attributable to Minister Giles

“The Pandemic Event visa was an important part of Australia’s visa system during the pandemic. Many people on temporary visas helped Australia during this period. We’re providing an opportunity for people who hold a Pandemic Event visa to explore another visa option, or plan to leave Australia.

“Under the Liberals, our migration system wasn’t working for anyone. There was no plan to deal with how the borders reopened.

“We’ve brought wait times down, and we’re working to make sure our migration system is working again for all Aus­tralians after a decade of mess and mismanagement under the Liberals.”

Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Emergency Management.​​​

21/06/2023

BREAKING-NO MINIMUM INCOME REQUIRED FOR 191

There is no minimum income threshold for applicants for the Sc 191 eligibility.

There is no instrument that specifies a minimum income threshold.

The only income related requirement for this subclass is that the primary applicant must provide notices of assessment from the ATO for three of the five years while holding their eligible visa.

17/05/2023

https://www.sbs.com.au/language/hindi/en/podcast-episode/australian-government-to-end-pandemic-event-visa/cxja222nh

Immigration news: COVID visa set to be scrapped, work hour caps return for international students on 1 July

23/04/2023

https://www.pm.gov.au/media/direct-pathway-australian-citizenship-new-zealanders?fbclid=IwAR2l2tIArmWG9SvdA0IvTGQMjlTr97nEfSk8lRNCg2_9U0QzU0rtvtIW-nw&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs have today announced a new direct pathway to Australian citizenship for eligible New Zealand citizens. Changes in 2001 made it more difficult for New Zealanders in A...

18/04/2023

https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/a-mockery-of-the-visa-system-indian-students-dodge-uni-rules-20230413-p5d077?fbclid=IwAR3RQVpOGQkV1CqgcrjMVT51Qhp5rqbBijikwDDPXwXNe9OOjNb1Xd-DTFo&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

The integrity of the student visa system is in question as universities and reputable colleges say poaching is rife.