PERTH has now officially become a regional city for immigration purposes, opening up wider visa options

Minister Collier told the Irish Echo

for potential migrants to the resource rich state.

On July 19, it was announced that Perth would be included in the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

Immigration minister Chris Bowen also agreed to include Perth as a regional area for family sponsored applications through the regional General Skilled Migration (GSM) programmes.

The RSMS is a visa programme that allows Australian employers in regional and low population growth areas of Australia to nominate foreign skilled workers to fill skilled vacancies within their business.

This visa program provides concessions for employers and visa applicants in recognition of the difficulties many regional or remote communities are faced with when attracting skilled workers.

The classification came into effect on September 12.

Western Australia’s training and workforce development minister Peter Collier has welcomed the measure.

“You can have full-term permanent vacancies for skilled occupations when those vacancies cannot be filled locally. If an employer can demonstrate that a position exists for a minimum of two years than the person has an opportunity to work in the metro area,” he said.

Ireland and WA are co-operating on an apprenticeship scheme for Irish workers.

Asked about developments on this matter, the minister said he expected that the scheme to work through the state-sponsored 457 process.

He said that the state would plough on with the scheme or without the aid of the federal government.

“Ideally, we want the federal government to work with us but they have been less than forthcoming, to be honest.

“We are not going to let their intransigence impact upon our relationship with Ireland.

“We are going to work with the Irish Government, ideally with 457 visas, so we can do it from within,” he said.

In the 2011–12 Budget, the government announced that the RSMS programme would be expected to deliver up to 16,000 skilled migrants to regional and low population growth areas of Australia.

Australian companies are sponsoring more Irish people than a year ago.

New immigration figures to April show 4,500 grants of 457 visas to Irish citizens in the past ten months.

The four-year 457s are temporary residence visas offered to skilled workers and their dependants who are sponsored by an Australian company.

The figures show a 59 per cent increase in the number of such visas granted to Irish citizens, over the comparable period last year.

The top three citizenship countries for primary visa grants to 30 April this year were the UK (25 per cent), India (18 per cent) and Ireland (eight per cent).

Primary visa grants refer to people who applied for sponsorship for their own behalf, while secondary applicants are those attached to partners’ applications.

With just of 2011 passed, Australia has already surpassed the total number of 457 grants for 2009-10.

There were 4200 applications for primary 457 visas, pushing the total to 42,872 for the year so far — 4000 more than the total number for 2009-10.

Primary visa grants are 37 per cent higher than at the same time last year.
The number of Irish citizens granted 457s in Western Australia has doubled, from 350 to 700. Irish citizens accounted for almost a tenth of successful 457 visa grants in WA in this period.

Ireland was also the second highest contributor of sponsored workers to the resource rich state, behind the UK. Northern Ireland nationals are included in the UK figures.

Other states continue to report an increased Irish uptake with; Queensland (33 per cent), Victoria (72 per cent) and New South Wales (43 per cent). The construction and mining industries’ hunger for overseas skilled workers continues unabated. Respectively, they accounted for 12.5 per cent and 7.4 per cent of all 457 grants to primary applicants.

The average nominated salary for an employee sponsored in the mining industry ranges from just over $122,000 (NSW) to almost $175,000 (Victoria), according to the figures.

The Australian government recently revealed 185,000 visas would be the country’s net migration intake target for the next financial year. Over 125,000 of those places will be reserved for skilled migrants, including 16,000 for “regional areas”.

It also said it would also fast-track permanent residency for 457 visa holders who have spent two years in regional Australia in cases where their employer will continue to sponsor them for a further two years. This will make it easier for 457 visa holders to remain in the region where they have been living and working.

The Minister for Immigration has announced a modest increase to Australia’s migrant intake.

Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen.

While the full detail of the proposed changes have yet to emerge, the small increase in the permanent visa numbers is lower than was expected.

However, there was more positive news for work visa hunters in the temporary resident area with faster processing times promised for 457s.

As his cabinet colleague Wayne Swan revealed the 2010/11 Budget Chris Bowen revealed that the net migration intake target for the next financial year would be 185,000 visas.

Of these places, over 125,000 will be reserved for skilled migrants including 16,000 for “regional areas”.

‘For the first time, the Federal Government will specifically allocate permanent visas for regional areas,’ Mr Bowen said.

The government will also fast-track permanent residency for temporary business (subclass 457) visa holders who have spent two years in regional Australia and where their employer will continue to sponsor them for a further two years. This will make it easier for 457 visa holders to remain in the region where they have been living and working.

The Minister also announced the establishment of a new processing centre in Brisbane, specifically charged with cutting the processing times for 457 visas.

‘While processing times for 457 visas have reduced by 30 per cent over the past five years, the government will establish a new processing centre in Brisbane and aims to reduce processing times even further,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘The goal is to deliver a 10-day median processing time for applications which are complete at the time they are lodged.

‘This additional processing site, with a significant number of extra visa processing staff, will ensure that complete applications are allocated and processed as quickly as possible.”

The Minister’s announcements underpinned the government’s sensitivity about immigration issues, despite the obvious economic benefit to the country of importing skilled migrants.

“It is critical that Australia’s skilled migration program is driven by Australia’s skills needs, rather than the desires of prospective migrants,” he said.

The Minister also announced a “new model for selecting skilled migrants” which is “expected to come into effect on 1 July 2012″.

The new model concludes a series of reforms to ensure the skilled migration program is more focussed and efficient, demand-driven and tailored to employers’ needs.

‘Under this model, the government will be able to select migrants like a business manages its workforce – selecting the best candidates, altering the skill composition of its workforce, and speeding up or slowing down recruitment as circumstances change,’ Mr Bowen said.

The model will be a two stage process whereby potential applicants first register their claims for skilled migration through an online Expression of Interest (EOI), and subsequently may be invited to make an application for a visa.

This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state/territory sponsored migration will require an invitation to lodge a visa application.

The model will, according to the government, ensure a match between the number of applicants and the number of available program places and consequently, the selection of the best and brightest migrants as well as streamlined processing times.

Watch for more coverage of the migration changes in the next print edition of the Irish Echo.

The Gillard government is under increasing pressure from business to increase its skilled migrant intake.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard

The recent Queensland floods have exacerbated the existing labour shortages prompting business leaders to speak out about an increased intake this year.

This may be good news for thousands of skilled Irish workers, struggling to find a job in Ireland’s dour employment market.

Heather Ridout, head of the Australian Industry Group (AIG), said last week that the government had little option but to accept the need for more skilled migrants.

“I think this has been Australia’s number one public policy issue for some time. And this [the floods] is going to ratchet up the pressure on this issue,” she told ABC Radio.

While Ms Ridout said it was essential that Australia continue to lift its skills base, it was also necessary to take “a flexible approach to immigration”.

“The last thing people need are higher interest rates because we’ve had wage inflation due to skills shortages and the rebuilding of Queensland and regional Victoria is going to put another whole big pressure on that issue,” Ms Ridout said.

“But skilled immigration has to be part of the solution and we have a range of options there. And the Government should be announcing a pretty robust programme as part of the next budget.”

Other industry lobbyists, business groups and large employers have also argued for the government to increase the skilled intake.

Harley Dale, chief economist at the Housing Industry Association, said changes to migration policy should be considered but it would not resolve immediate demand.

‘’We’ve long advocated that … Australia’s skilled migration program needs to allow for a higher number of skilled tradespeople to come in from overseas and work in the sector,’’ Mr Dale said.

More than 100,000 skilled migrants have been stuck in visa limbo for the past two years as the Department of Immigration (DIAC) struggles to deal with a major backlog of applications.

DIAC figures revealed under a recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request show a backlog of 140,000 applicants for skilled migration in September.

Department officials are said  to have warned the immigration minister of the effects of an ageing population on the labour force, saying Australia’s population would need to rise to 36 million by 2050 in order to continue thriving economically.

A spokeswoman for the department told the Irish Echo that while they are “working to reduce the number of applications on hand”, the number of applications for skilled migration in the past few years has “far” outweighed the number of places available.

“To address this issue, the Government introduced changes in 2010 such as the changes to the skilled occupation list, the revocation of the migration occupation in demand list, as well as the announcement of the new points test that will be implemented on July 1, 2011,” said the spokeswoman.

“These are designed to deliver a skilled migration process that is responsive to Australia’s economic needs, and bring in the best and the brightest skilled migrants.”

While the department was not able to provide a breakdown of the nationalities of those still waiting to be processed, the spokesperson says many “ do not have the skills Australia needs, such as hairdressers, cooks, pastry chefs etc”.

“As such they do not receive priority processing for visas,” she added.

The federal government currently prioritises applications from workers already sponsored by an employer, or under a state migration plan (SMP).

Migration expert John McQuaid says these are the “strongest options” for workers who want to stay in Australia long term.

“What the government is saying is that they want employers and the state governments to take responsibility by sponsoring the skilled people they want. If you can, find an employer to sponsor or nominate you, if not look to a state government.

“The independent route is still a good avenue, but you have to be prepared to wait a couple of years to get permanent residency.”

The estimated average processing time for a migrant already sponsored by an employer is about six months, while it can take up to one year for someone already sponsored under a SMP.

Meanwhile, Mr McQuaid says some of his clients who lodged Independent visa applications over two years ago are only now hearing back from the department.

These include trades people and accountants, though Mr McQuaid says the occupations are “right across the board”.

“Some [applicants] are offshore and many are already here on temporary visas,” he explains. “Some are on Working Holiday Visas (WHV) and applied for permanent residency while they were here and are hoping it’ll come through.”

As there are no bridging visas for independent applications, many applicants are forced to leave the country while they await the outcome. Others go down the route of a temporary visa, second WHV or student visa.

But Mr McQuaid says the quota of skilled migrants per year will remain high.

“The reality is the government knows they still need a pipeline of skilled migrants…many came out of the economic crisis that Australia never really had,” he said.

by Claire McGreal

New figures from the Department of Immigration reveal that the number of Irish people emigrating to Australia has increased sharply.

Just over three thousand Irish citizens were granted permanent residency in the financial year ending June 2010, representing a 22 per cent rise on the previous year.

Overall, the numbers making the move Down Under were down by nearly two per cent, with a 13 per cent fall in General Skilled Migration (GSM).

Irish people accounted for 1.8 per cent of the total migration program for 2009/2010 year and with a total of 2, 950, ranked fifth behind the Philippines, the US, India and the UK in terms of those granted 457 temporary business visas.

Meanwhile the numbers of Irish people granted Working Holiday Visas (WHV) were down sharply on the previous year. Just 14, 833 arrived on WHVs up to the end of June compared to 22, 786 the previous year.

Accountants, computing professionals and nurses were the top three occupations in the skill stream, followed by mechanical and civil engineers. Department of Immigration planning levels for total migration next year allow for 168, 700 people, including 113, 850 under the skilled migration program.

And with further cuts just announced in this month’s budget, Ireland looks set for a continued mass exodus. In July, the state’s economic think tank the ESRI predicted up to 120 thousand Irish people would leave the country by the end of next year.

by Clare McGreal

The Australian government has unveiled plans to amend the points test for would-be skilled migrants.

The changes should make it easier for applicants from Ireland – or any country where English is the first language and who have a third-level qualification – to emigrate to Australia.

In another first, the government will accept applications from skilled applicants up to the age of 50.

While the changes have yet to be approved by parliament, initial reaction to the proposals has been positive.

The changes, if approved, will be activated from July 1, 2011.

“The new points test is focused on selecting highly skilled people to deliver a more responsive and targeted migration program,” a Department of Immigration release stated.

“It will deliver the best and brightest skilled migrants by emphasising high level qualifications, better English language levels and extensive skilled work experience.”

You can download the new points test here.

The decision to increase the age threshold for applicants to 50 will be welcome news for recession weary Irish workers looking for an option to emigrate.

However, the points test is weighted so only those with the highest qualifications and most experience will make the threshold.

It remains to be seen whether or not the age threshold will be extended to the employer sponsorship route, favoured by most Irish applicants.

The proposed new points test for would-be skilled migrants will come into effect from July 2011 if it passes through parliament.

To download the government’s release on the changes, click here.

through parliament.

The Department of Immigration has release some questions and answers about the changes to help would-be applicants understand how the new system will impact on them

Why is a new points test being introduced?

On 8 February 2010, the Australian Government announced a series of reforms to the skilled migration program, including a review of the points test. The points test review found the current points test had led to a skewing of applications toward a small number of occupations and does not always lead to outcomes that are consistent with the objectives of the skilled migration program.

How was the new points test developed?
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship consulted widely in developing the new points test. On 15 February 2010, the department released a discussion paper inviting responses from stakeholders and the general public. More than 220 responses were received from a variety of individuals and organisations including industry peak bodies, education providers, migration agents, current and former international students, prospective migrants from outside Australia and the wider Australian community. State and territory governments were also consulted on the various options under consideration.
The department also took into account research on what aspects of the skilled migration program delivered the greatest contribution to the Australian economy.

How is the new points test different from the current points test?
The new points test provides for migrants with a better balance of skills and attributes. As no one factor will guarantee migration, successful migrants will need to possess a combination of skills and experience. The changes focus on better English language skills, more extensive skilled work experience, higher level qualifications obtained in Australia and overseas and different age ranges. The new points test will continue to award points for study in Australia, regional study, community languages, partner skills and a Professional Year. Points will no longer be awarded on the basis of an applicant’s occupation, but all applicants must still nominate an occupation on the applicable Skilled Occupation List. See: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-fact.pdf

Who will the new points test apply to?
It is important to note that the new points test will only apply to one component of the skilled migration program. This change will not affect every type of skilled migration visa and only applies to applicants for the following visas:
• Subclass 885 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored
• Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored
• Subclass 175 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored
• Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored.

When will the new points test come into effect?
It is proposed that the new points test will apply to applications made from 1 July 2011, unless the applicant is eligible for transitional arrangements.
Transitional arrangements apply to people who, on 8 February 2010 held or had applied for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485). Until the end of 2012, this group is able to apply for a permanent skilled visa under the points test in effect as at 8 February 2010.
Student visa holders who lodge an application for points tested skilled migration from 1 July 2011 will be assessed under the new points test. There are still transitional arrangements which may apply to those students affected by the reforms announced on 8 February 2010.
People who held an eligible Student visa on 8 February 2010 still have until the end of 2012 to apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485) under the arrangements in place for that visa as at 8 February 2010.
See: www.immi.gov.au/students/_pdf/recent-changes-gsm.pdf

I am a current international student, and am not eligible for the transitional arrangements detailed above. Will the new points test affect me?
After 1 July 2011, if you are not eligible for transitional arrangements and you lodge an application for any of the visas listed above, you will need to meet the requirement of the new points test

Will the pass mark change under the new points test?
Yes. The pass mark is a tool that allows for management of the skilled migration program and is always subject to change. It is expected that the pass mark will be set at 65 points.
There will no longer be a distinction in the pass mark between independent and sponsored visas and permanent and provisional visas.

I am considering applying for a points tested visa. Should I apply now, or wait until the new points test is introduced?
The decision is one for you to make. The department recommends you carefully consider your situation to determine whether the current or the new points test would be of most benefit to you.
For example, people with higher level qualifications, English language proficiency or more extensive skilled work experience may benefit under the new points test.

I have already lodged an application for a GSM visa. Can I choose to have my application assessed under the new points test?
No. Applications lodged before 1 July 2011 will be assessed against the current points test.
If you want to have your application assessed against the new points test, you will need to lodge a new application after the new points test is introduced. It is important to note that if you choose to lodge a new application, you will be required to pay a new Visa Application Charge (VAC). You will not be able to have the VAC you paid in association with your first visa application refunded.

I will not be ready to lodge an application before 1 July 2011 and under the new points test I don’t think I will be able to meet the pass mark. What are my options?
Australia is fortunate in that there are many more people seeking migration than places available. Skilled migration to Australia is highly competitive and requirements adjust over time according to Australia’s skills needs. Not everyone will be able to meet the requirements for skilled migration.
You may want to consider your eligibility to apply for an alternative migration option, such as the Employer Nomination Scheme or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. Further information on these programs is available on the department’s website.
See: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/

Will there be more changes to the requirements for skilled migration?
Australia’s skilled migration program is run to benefit Australia. The program is designed to help deliver the skills the Australian economy needs. The skilled migration program must remain flexible to adjust to economic circumstances to select the best people to contribute to Australia’s future. The program will continue to change over time.
The introduction of the new points test is part of a suite of reforms announced on the 8 February 2010 aimed at delivering a skilled migration program that will select migrants with the high value, nation-building skills that are needed by the Australian economy and labour market.

Why have occupation points been removed from the new points test?
The points test review found that the current points test gives undue weight to a person’s occupation, as an applicant can claim up to half the points needed to meet the pass mark on the basis of their nominated occupation alone. The introduction of a more targeted Skilled Occupation List (SOL) means it is no longer necessary to award points on the basis of occupation, as all applicants must nominate an occupation from the new list.

Will the new points test changes apply to the threshold age requirements?
Yes. The maximum age threshold for applicants will be raised from 45 to 49. This recognises that in many professions, workers do not reach their full potential until their mid to late 40s, and that significant work experience is a key factor in determining a skilled migrant’s labour market performance.
While applicants aged 45-49 will be eligible to apply, no points will be awarded for age. This means that those applicants will have to have outstanding results in other areas in order to meet the pass mark.

Will the new points test change the allocation of points across different age brackets?

Yes. Australian Bureau of Statistics data and the department’s research indicate that highly skilled migrants who come to Australia between the ages of 25-32 add the most benefit to the Australian economy in terms of lifetime earnings.

I am over the age of 45 and wish to apply. Do I need to wait until the new points test is introduced?
Yes. The maximum age requirement will not be increased until the new points test comes into effect.

Is there a new minimum English language requirement?
For all skilled migration points tested visas the threshold English language requirement will be Competent English, which is a minimum score of 6 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. No points will be awarded for English language where an applicant has Competent English.

Will the new points test allow applicants to claim points for higher levels of English language proficiency?
Yes. The new points test will recognise applicants with higher levels of English language proficiency.

Will the new points test award points for both overseas and Australian work experience?
Yes. The new points test gives more recognition to applicants who have more extensive skilled work experience, either in Australia or overseas.

Will the new points test award points for experience in any skilled occupation?
No. To claim points for work experience under the new points test, the experience must be in an applicant’s nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation.

I have worked in my nominated occupation in Australia and overseas. Can I claim points for both overseas and Australian work experience?
Yes. If you are able to meet the requirements to claim points for both Australian work experience and overseas work experience under the points test then you will be recognised for both.
For example, an applicant who has worked in their nominated occupation overseas for three out of the past five years and in Australia for one in the past two years will be able to claim ten points for work experience – five points for their overseas work experience and five points for their Australian work experience. Points for skilled work experience will be awarded as follows:

Why are more points awarded for Australian work experience, compared with the same length of overseas experience?
The points test recognises the extra value Australian work experience provides in assisting migrants find skilled employment and settle easily in Australia.

Will points still be awarded under the new points test for the completion of a Professional Year?
Yes. Under the new points test, five points will be awarded to applicants who complete an approved Professional Year in their nominated occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

Under the new points test will applicants be able to claim points for both a Professional Year and Australian work experience?
Yes. The current points test is designed so that applicants can only claim points for either Australian work experience or the completion of a Professional Year. The new points test allows an applicant to claim points for both completing a Professional Year and meeting work experience requirements. It is important to note however that work conducted as part of the Professional Year program will not be eligible for consideration as work experience.

Under the new points test will I be able to claim points for two qualifications?
No. The new points test will only allow applicants to claim points for their highest level qualification. For example, if an applicant has completed a Bachelors Degree and a PhD, they will only be able to claim points for the PhD.

To claim points for a qualification or apprenticeship obtained overseas, do I have to have the qualification recognised?
Yes. To claim points for a qualification or apprenticeship obtained overseas, it will need to be recognised as being of a standard comparable to that awarded by an Australian education institution. Further information regarding the process for having an overseas qualification or apprenticeship recognised will be made available closer to the date of implementation of the new points test.

Are there any restrictions on what Australian qualifications can be used to claim points?
Yes. To claim points for an Australian qualification, the qualification must have been undertaken while the applicant was in Australia and it must have been completed as the result of a course of study that was at least two academic years (that is, 92 weeks as registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)).

Will the new points test still allow points to be claimed for the Australian study requirement?
Yes. Applicants who have studied in Australia and who have met the Australian study requirement will be eligible for five points under the new points test.

Will applicants still be able to claim points for partner skills under the new points test?
Yes. The new points test will continue to award five points where the primary applicant’s partner satisfies the threshold criteria for GSM.
Under the new points test, to claim partner points the primary applicant’s partner will need to meet the following criteria:
• be included on the same visa application as the primary applicant
• not be an Australian permanent resident or citizen
• be less than 50 years old at the time of application
• nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List, and be assessed by the relevant assessing authority as having suitable skills for the occupation
• have Competent English
• have been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 months in the 24 months before the application is lodged.

“Western Australia needs you”. That’s  the message for skilled Irish workers thinking of making the move down

WA Chamber of Commerce chief, James Pearson

under from the head of the Western Australia Chamber of Commerce.

James Pearson says the state needs half a million extra workers over the next decade to meet employment demands.

WA is best known for it’s mining history, but Mr. Pearson says job prospects are improving in other areas as the mining industry picks up.

“There are growing opportunities in a wide range of industries, including construction, health care, social services, education, retail and hospitality”, he says.

A strong immigration policy is the cornerstone for the Chamber’s vision for the future.

“Immigration is going to be a key part for meeting the need for labour”, says Mr. Pearson. “Our rate of national population increase is nowhere near enough to meet the number of jobs that are being created”.

But Mr. Pearson says the recent election campaign has sent out the wrong message to potential skilled immigrants, by focusing on a need for a smaller rate of population growth.

“I’m disappointed with the approach taken by both major parties on immigration. Quite frankly it flies in the face of the economic realities of Australia. I hope very much whoever takes power will have the good sense to realise what we need is more, and not less, people in this country’’.

The Chamber chief also says permanent immigration is vital to a sustainable economic future.

“No doubt we need lots of workers on short notice for planned projects, but much more than that; we need people to come and settle with their families to take up the permanent jobs being created … and to provide all the goods and services a modern economy is expected to have”.

With the economy showing no signs of immediate recovery in Ireland, a number of Gardai have already been recruited into the WA Police force. And James Pearson says WA has a lot to offer would be Irish immigrants.

“WA one of the last places in the world where there is currently huge economic opportunity, matched with a stable and welcoming western lifestyle…It’s a wonderful lifestyle where people can make a future with their families…and we have so much sunshine”, he says.

And in what is sure to be music to the ears of many unemployed Irish people, James Pearson says, “Western Australia is open for business.”