Work experience requirement for 482 visas reduced to one year from 23 November 2024
The Australian Government has announced a significant change to the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, reducing the work experience requirement from two years to just one year for all applicants effective from 23 November 2024. This adjustment aims to streamline the visa application process and enhance opportunities for skilled workers to secure employment in Australia. By lowering the work experience threshold, the government seeks to address skill shortages and facilitate smoother transitions for prospective visa holders seeking employment in various sectors.
Here are some key points related to this reform:
Work Experience Reduction: The mandatory work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa will be reduced from two years to one year. This change applies to all streams of the visa, including the Short-term stream, Medium-term stream, and Labour Agreement stream.
Skill Requirement: While the work experience requirement is being reduced, the other skill requirement remains unchanged. Applicants must still demonstrate the necessary skills, qualifications, and employment background to perform the tasks of the nominated occupation. The assessment is based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) criteria. In some cases, work experience can substitute for qualifications, but certain licensed occupations (such as medical practitioners, lawyers, engineers, and nurses) still require a mandatory qualification.
Labour Agreement Stream: For the Labour Agreement stream, the two-year work experience requirement can be disregarded if the labor agreement approves an occupation with a work experience requirement of less than two years.
Skills in Demand Visa: Although not explicitly confirmed, it is highly likely that the new Skills in Demand visa, expected to replace subclass 482 visas by the end of 2024, will carry similar work experience requirements.
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) closing
The landscape for BIIP in Australia has been undergoing significant changes. Let’s break down the key points:
Productivity Commission Report: Last year, a Productivity Commission report criticized the BIIP visa program, highlighting its poor performance across various aspects. Notably, the program had a negative net fiscal impact, indicating that visa holders were consuming more government services than contributing through tax receipts.
Invitations Halted: In the current program year, invitations for all Business Innovation and Investment Program visa were halted. This decision was influenced by an existing backlog of subclass 188 – Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visas. These places in the program year will be filled by the backlog applicants.
Expression of Interest Model: The business skills visa operates on the same Expression of Interest (EOI) model as General Skilled Migration visas. Unless an applicant has already received an invitation, they won’t be able to apply for this visa Refunds for visa application charges will be available starting from September 2024.
Existing 188 Visa Holders: Existing holders of the subclass 188 visa who are applying for the permanent subclass 888 - Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) visa are not affected by the invitation requirement. However, it’s essential that the nominating State or Territory government agency or the CEO of Austrade has not withdrawn the nomination.
Introduction of a new National Innovation visa
The Australian government has announced plans to introduce a new National Innovation visa, which is set to replace the existing Global Talent visa (subclass 858) by late 2024. This strategic move aims to attract highly skilled migrants who can contribute significantly to growth in sectors that are crucial for the nation’s development.
The National Innovation visa is specifically designed to target exceptionally talented migrants who possess expertise aligned with Australia’s national priorities in innovation and economic advancement. By focusing on these high-caliber individuals, the government aims to drive innovation across critical sectors and enhance the country’s competitive edge
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