Workvisa

Workvisa Advantage Immigration Australia (www.ozworkvisas.com) specialises in work and business visa applications.

We are registered with the office of the MARA (Migration Agents Registration Authority) and have extensive experience in a wide range of Australian visa applications.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.
24/12/2025

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a healthy, peaceful, and prosperous New Year.

Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa: Who Is Legally Responsible for the Fees?Australia has officially replaced the old ...
23/12/2025

Skills in Demand (Subclass 482) Visa: Who Is Legally Responsible for the Fees?

Australia has officially replaced the old Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa with the new Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa. One of the most common questions we get is “Who pays for what fees?” Understanding this is essential to protecting your rights and avoiding costly mistakes.

Under Australian migration law, visa sponsorship costs are strictly regulated, and employers are not allowed to pass these costs on to visa applicants. This means the employer must pay for the Standard Business Sponsorship fee, the nomination fee to nominate a migrant worker, the mandatory Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy, and any professional fees if a migration agent or lawyer is used for the sponsorship and nomination process. These costs are the legal responsibility of the business, not the employee.

As a visa applicant, the major government fee you may pay is the Visa Application Charge, which can legally be paid by either you or your employer. Beyond this, you should not be asked to cover any sponsorship or nomination-related expenses.

It is a serious breach of the Migration Act for an employer to ask or require the employee to pay for sponsorship or nomination fees. This practice can lead to significant penalties for the employer.

The new Skills in Demand visa offers clearer pathways to long-term stay and permanent residency. If you have any questions regarding the Skills in Demand visa, please contact us.

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy and prosperity in 2025.
23/12/2024

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with joy and prosperity in 2025.

National Innovation Visa – A Pathway for Exceptional TalentThe new National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is set to res...
23/12/2024

National Innovation Visa – A Pathway for Exceptional Talent

The new National Innovation Visa (subclass 858) is set to reshape the way Australia attracts global talent. This visa offers a permanent residency opportunity for exceptionally talented individuals who can make a significant contribution to Australia’s future prosperity. It is designed for leaders with outstanding achievements who can drive productivity growth and job creation in key sectors of the economy.

To be considered, candidates must submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) highlighting their exceptional accomplishments. The Department of Home Affairs will extend invitations based on priority sectors. The highest priority will be given to global experts who have received international ‘top-of-field’ awards.

Next in priority are candidates nominated by Australian government agencies through the approved Form 1000. Following this, Priority Three focuses on individuals with exceptional achievements in Critical Technologies, Health Industries, and Renewables and Low Emission Technologies. Priority Four includes those excelling in Agri-food and AgTech, Defence and Space, Education, Financial Services and FinTech, Infrastructure and Transport, and Resources sectors.

If you have exceptional achievements in any of these areas, this visa could be a perfect fit. Stay updated as the application process progresses!

New changes to Australia's Migration Program: The National Innovation Visa! With the Global Talent Visa Expression of In...
06/12/2024

New changes to Australia's Migration Program: The National Innovation Visa! With the Global Talent Visa Expression of Interest (EOI) process now officially closed, this shift marks a significant change in how Australia attracts exceptional talent.

The new National Innovation Visa combines two major visa categories: the Business Innovation Visa and the Global Talent Visa. It focuses on four key areas:

Global Researchers and Thought Leaders – individuals with high-impact research and publications.

Entrepreneurs – established and emerging innovators with successful state and territory-led initiatives.

Innovative Investors – focusing on the quality of investments.

Athletes and Creatives – talent that represents Australia on the global stage.

The National Innovation Visa will provide an attractive pathway to permanent residency and is expected to open on 7 Dec 2024.

We are closely watching the developments and will keep you updated as more details become available!

The Australian Government has announced changes to the Global Talent visa program and the Business Innovation and Invest...
10/06/2024

The Australian Government has announced changes to the Global Talent visa program and the Business Innovation and Investment program (BIIP) as part of the 2024/25 Migration Program with the 2024/25 budget.

The Government has slightly reduced the planning level for the Global Talent visa program from 5,000 to 4,000 visas for the 2024/25 Migration Program. This adjustment aligns with broader reforms around talent and innovation, and marks the final year of the current Global Talent visa program as it transitions to the new National Innovation visa. The National Innovation visa, available at the end of 2024, will offer a permanent visa pathway for exceptional talents, including top-performing entrepreneurs, major investors, and global researchers. Visas granted under this new category in 2024/25 will be included within the Global Talent visa program.

To ensure a smooth transition, the Department of Home Affairs will manage the changeover to the National Innovation visa. Current applicants of the Global Talent visa will be supported throughout this process and will not be adversely affected. Visa applicants will be assessed based on the eligibility criteria in place at the time of their application.

For the BIIP, the Government has reduced the number of visas from 1,900 in 2023-24 to just 1,000 for the upcoming year. Additionally, the BIIP will be permanently closed in July 2024, and new applications for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa will no longer be accepted.

Current subclass 188 BIIP visa applications will still be processed according to existing Government priorities and Migration Program planning levels. However, the policy will be tightened to ensure that only applicants with successful business careers who can bring economic benefits to Australia will be approved. Those holding a subclass 188 visa and meeting the criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa will still be able to continue on this pathway after July 2024.

Stay tuned for more information on the upcoming National Innovation visa, set to launch at the end of 2024!

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in 2024.
23/12/2023

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year in 2024.

Australian immigration is changing! On 11 December 2023, the Australian Government released new Migration Strategies. Th...
20/12/2023

Australian immigration is changing! On 11 December 2023, the Australian Government released new Migration Strategies. The new plan is starting with international students.

Higher English standards: There will be increased English language requirements to improve the quality of students’ educational experience in Australia and reduce potential workplace exploitation. For the Student Visa, the required IELTS score will increase from 5.5 to 6. For the Temporary Graduate Visa, it will increase from 6 to 6.5. For students studying with an English language training provider, the score will increase from 4.5 to 5. For students taking the university foundation or pathway program, the minimum score will be 5.5. The Government will likely implement these changes in early 2024.

Visa crackdown: There will be greater and more targeted scrutiny of student visa applications from high-risk providers. A visa integrity unit will work to reduce misuse of Australia’s student visa system, minimising non-genuine students and unscrupulous providers. This is to maintain confidence in Australia's international education and migration system.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

New changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) vis...
18/11/2023

New changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visas.

From 25 November 2023, the Australian Government is making changes to 482 and 186 visas. These changes aim to simplify the pathway to permanent residence for TSS 482 visa holders, providing increased clarity and certainty for employers and skilled workers.

Changes to the TSS 482 visa - the government will eliminate the cap on TSS visa applications within Australia. However, the TSS visa holders with visas expiring before 25 November 2023 will still need to travel abroad to lodge a third short-term stream TSS application. All TSS 482 visa holders will have a pathway to permanent residency via 186 visas, regardless of their occupations.

Changes to the ENS 186 visa - employers will be able to nominate holders of all TSS visa streams, including Short-term and Labour Agreement streams. The requirement for nominated occupations to be assessed against a skilled migration occupation list is removed. Instead, the nominated occupation must be listed in the ANZSCO. The period a TSS visa holder must work in the nominated position is reduced to two from three years before nomination.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

The Government has increased the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000 since 1 Ju...
14/07/2023

The Government has increased the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000 since 1 July 2023.

If you are planning to sponsor an overseas worker for a subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa, 186 Employer Nomination Scheme visa, or 187 Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa, the salary for the nominated position must be over the new threshold.

TSMIT is exclusive of superannuation. It means that the minimum salary threshold for an overseas employer sponsored worker is $70,000 plus 11% superannuation now.

This new requirement will not affect the existing visa holders and the applications lodged before 1 July 2023.

In addition to the TSMIT requirements, employers also need to pay the overseas worker no less than an equivalent Australian worker working in the same occupation in the same location, which is the annual market salary rate (AMSR).

The Annual market salary rate (AMSR) is determined by referring to the remuneration of equivalent Australian workers, enterprise agreements or industrial awards, job market advertisements over the last 6 months in the same location, remuneration survey or advice from unions or employer associations.

An Australian worker who has more or less work experience than the nominee and does similar work at a different pay grade is not considered equivalent to the nominee.

Please feel free to let us know if you have any questions.

Address

Suite 33, 240 Plenty Road, Bundoora
Melbourne, VIC
3083

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61386793666

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