By Sharon Kan, Australian-qualified lawyer and Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1387899), ASG Immigration, Sydney Australia
Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List
The Australian Government has introduced a new ‘Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List’ for the purposes of facilitating an exemption from the current COVID-19 border entry restrictions. Individuals who hold an employer sponsored visa in one of the following occupations may be granted priority processing and an entry exemption from the Australian Border Force:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director
- Construction Project Manager
- Mechanical Engineer
- General Practitioner
- Resident Medical Officer
- Psychiatrist
- Midwife
- Registered Nurse
- Developer Programmer
- Software Engineer
- Maintenance Planner
While the above is clearly welcome news the Government has also responded to the current concerns regarding Australia’s economic recession and record levels of unemployment – see below:
Changes to Labour Market Testing requirements as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic
The Australian Government has introduced changes to its mandatory labour market testing (“LMT”) requirements. These changes will apply to all Temporary Skill Shortage nomination applications lodged after 30th September 2020.
After 30th September, if job advertising is required as part of LMT, the role must have been advertised on the Australian Government’s JobActive website as well as at least two other acceptable recruitment platforms. This means employers will need to provide evidence of at least three job advertisements that meet all the LMT criteria. The changes have been introduced in response to COVID-19 to ensure that Australian citizens and permanent residents are given work opportunities before these are offered to foreign nationals.
Please feel free to contact ASG Immigration to discuss these changes or if you have any other questions and require assistance with Australian (or UK) inbound migration.
By Sharon Kan, Australian-qualified lawyer and Registered Migration Agent (MARN: 1387899), ASG Immigration, Sydney Australia
ASG Immigration offers advice and practical assistance to a variety of clients, including multi-national corporations, SMEs, entrepreneurs, investors and high net worth individuals.
