TeeTMI

As of July 1st Public Interest Criterion 4020 has been added to all Family Visas, including those in processing. DIAC has been picking up instances of fraud in respect of claimed family composition, claims / denial of partner relationships and age of applicants. This criterion allows visas to be refused where false or misleading information is provided in a visa application. Tee

They are on the SkillSelect website http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/ Tee

The new occupational ceilings for the 2013-14 year have been announced. I notice that some of the occupations that were well subscribed and reached their quota last year have already used up a lot of this years quota. For example ICT Business and Systems Analysts almost 1/3 of the places (460 places out of 1380 places available for the year) have already been allocated in the first month of the year and it clear several more occupations will likely reach quota soon. Tee

The new TSMIT has been announced As of the 1st July 2013 TSMIT has increased to $53,900. This has increased for all applicants whose nomination is currently in progress. TSMIT is a time of nomination decision (approval) criteria. Tee

[h=2]Summary of changes to the Consolidated Skilled Occupation List[/h]http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/consolidated-sponsored-occupation-list.htm The following changes have been applied to the CSOL: New occupations based upon the ANZSCO Review [TABLE=class: tableborder] [TR] [TH]ANZSCO Code[/TH] [TH]Occupation[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TD]133612[/TD] [TD]Procurement Manager[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]251112[/TD] [TD]Nutritionist[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]271214[/TD] [TD]Intellectual Property Lawyer[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]272414[/TD] [TD]Archaeologist[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]311415[/TD] [TD]Hydrographer[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]361115[/TD] [TD]Kennel Hand[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Occupation removed from the CSOL following the ANZSCO Review [TABLE=class: tableborder] [TR] [TH]ANZSCO Code[/TH] [TH]Occupation[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TD]234512[/TD] [TD]Anatomist or Physiologist[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Occupations removed from the SOL but continue to be listed in the CSOL [TABLE=class: tableborder] [TR] [TH]ANZSCO Code[/TH] [TH]Occupation[/TH] [/TR] [TR] [TD]251511[/TD] [TD]Hospital Pharmacist[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]251513[/TD] [TD]Retail Pharmacist[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]323111[/TD] [TD]Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]323112[/TD] [TD]Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)[/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD]323113[/TD] [TD]Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)[/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] Tee

Update on the 457 Amendment Bill - it has now cleared Senate. The amendments contained in the Bill, will introduce the following: - Under the amended legislation, 457 sponsors must undertake Labour Market Testing (LMT) in relation to subclass 457 nominated occupations. To demonstrate LMT, the sponsor will be required to show that they have sought a suitable qualified Australian citizen or permanent resident within 6 months prior to submission of an application. This will impact on companies hiring trade occupations immediately (ANZSCO Skill level 3 and under - Skill level 1 & 2 will be exempt initially although specific occupations from these may be listed as requiring LMT). - This also includes a change permitting visa holders 90 days (previously 28) to seek a further sponsor or leave the country should their employment with the sponsoring employer cease for any reason. I'm sure we will hear more in the coming days. Tee

If you are looking to lodge before the application fees increase do it as soon as you can whenever you can! Message on DIAC e-visa system http://www.immi.gov.au/e_visa/continue-saved.htm Good luck to all those trying to get their apps in! Tee

This message from Vetassess. "Due to Scheduled Maintenance, our online SkillAssess (SRGO) application website will be unavailable from Wednesday 26th June 2013 04:30PM until Monday 1st 11:00AM (AUSTRALIAN EASTERN TIME)." Tee

An update from DIAC, whilst it says 9pm Canberra time remember there may be others trying to get in before the deadline and the system may get busy. "System outages and offline periods 28 June to 1 July 2013 The department's eLodgement systems will be offline for system upgrades from 28 June 2013 and may not be available again until 1 July 2013. Clients planning to apply online for any Australian visa, prior to the introduction of new visa pricing and policies on 1 July, are encouraged to lodge and pay for their application before 9 pm (AEST) on 28 June. Clients will not be able to lodge online visa applications while the systems are offline. If a client does not lodge their visa application prior to 1 July 2013, they will be subject to the new visa pricing arrangements."

It is a complete new application not just a formality. Both your employer and your husband will need to meet the requirements at the time of the application (they can change over time and have recently got a bit stricter for employers). Maybe investigate whether your husband might be able to get recognition of prior learning towards a skills assessment?

If you are going to try to beat the 1st July visa application price increases, and the additional applicant charges, by lodging before 1st July, please take note! The department’s eLodgement systems will go offline from late June 28 to early July 1 so that their IT systems can be updated before the pricing changes come into effect. Tee

Assuming the process remains as it is at the current time then assuming your your husbands employer and your husband meet the selection criteria at that time then your husbands employer could apply nominate your husband and you could obtain a further 457. If you are unable to get PR any other way and if your husband will be under 50 after working for his employer for 2 years on the 457 then you should investigate the transitional route to PR. Currently, exceptions for PR for individuals over 50 are very limited.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news DIAC have announced the new visa application charges as of 1st July 2013. http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/new-visa-charges-1july2013/proposed-visa-pricing-table.htm Whilst the base applicant charge remains the same DIAC have introduced charges for additional applicants included in some visa applications. For example, for 189/190 186/187 applicants that means a base charge of $3060 plus additional charges of $1530 for additional applicants >18 and $765 for additional applicants <18 years of age.

Totally agree, the list should be dynamic and reflect the occupations Australia has a shortage in supplying and that changes over time. Although a total pain for people who spend time and money getting the skills assessment etc only to find the occupation is no longer eligible.

A number of occupations were flagged as borderline with regards to their remaining on the SOL this year (ie the SOL that commences 1st July 2013). These occupations may be removed in future years subject to monitoring of the labour market, education and migration data and evidence from stakeholders in relation to future oversupply issues, migration outcomes and areas of specific need. http://www.awpa.gov.au/our-work/labour-market-information/skilled-occupation-list/Pages/Flagged-Occupations.aspx Tee

The new SOL commencing 1st July 2013 has been announced. 5 occupations are to be removed from the SOL. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/skilled-occupation-list.htm The following 5 occupations are being removed from the SOL as of 1st July 2013. ANZSCO Code Occupation 251511 Hospital Pharmacist 251513 Retail Pharmacist 323111 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics) 323112 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical) 323113 Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures) Tee

Hi Paula As John says take a look at the SC 600. All these new visa numbers are part of the "streamlining" to make things easier (read: putting several visas together under the same subclass) Take a at the "tourist" stream - DIAC made changes late last year to consider granting parents longer tourist visas. Parents of Australian citizens or permanent residents can be granted visas of up to 18 months, or 3 or 5 years (depending upon circumstances). These visas will permit a maximum stay of up to 12 months in any 18 month period (please note they come with conditions). Tee

Hi John We are approaching the end of the 2012-13 year, it is possible that they have reached or are approaching their quota for the 804 this year? Tee

Yes, SA is one of the states currently sponsoring bricklayers. Good luck with your application Tee

Hi guys I'm not normally found in the SA pages, but do frequent some of the other PIO forums. Just popping in to say that SA State have recently changed some of their eligibility criteria. If you had applied recently and been rejected it may be worth checking as to whether you would now be eligible (they have said they would welcome enquires relating to this). Tee