Changes in the new Australian migration year

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Help understand how changes in new Australian Migration year, starting 1 July 2017, affects Skilled Visa applicants

1 July 2017 Changes - A new Migration Year

The 1^st of July 2017 sees the start of a new year for Australian Migration, and with it several anticipated changes to Australian Visas. With so many changes being announced it is difficult to understand what these changes mean for Skilled Visa applicants. It also shows how important it is to apply whilst you are eligible!

To help understand how these changes affect Skilled Visa applicants we have outlined the major changes below.

Age Limits Announced

On 1 July 2017, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) announced that all applicants applying for the following visas must be below the age of 45 years at the time of applying for the visa:

Skilled Independent Visa (189)
Skilled Nominated Visa (190)
Skilled Regional (provisional) Visa (489)

If you are 45 years or older you no longer have a skilled visa option and would need to look at alternative visa options should you wish to live and work in Australia.

Occupations removed from Skills List

As expected the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) has announced a new Medium to Long-term Skilled Shortage List (MLTSSL). Occupations on the MLTSSL are eligible for any of the Skilled Visa categories, including subclasses 189, 190, 489.

The new MLTSSL saw the removal of 12 occupations, meaning there are no longer skilled visa pathways available for the following professions:

Occupations removed from the MLTSSL
Occupation	ANZSCO Code
Equipment Hire Manager	149915
Fleet Manager	149411
Picture Framer	394212
Property Manager	612112
Psychotherapist	272314
Real Estate Agency Principal	612113
Real Estate Agent	612114
Real Estate Agent Representative	612115
Ship's Engineer	231212
Ship's Master	231213
Ship's Officer	231214
University Tutor	242112

A number of people have been confused about the mention of 'caveats' for certain occupations. The caveats only apply to the employer sponsored visas (457, 186) and DO NOT affect Skilled Migration Visas.

States/Territories updating their Skills List

Now that the DIBP have announced changes to Skilled Visas each State/Territory is currently reviewing their State Occupation Lists for the new migration year. Queensland and Northern Territory are now accepting applications for sponsorship under the Skilled - Nominated (190) Visa OR the Skilled - Regional (489) Visa.

Tasmania has announced that they will consider applications for sponsorship under the Skilled - Regional (489) Visa for applicants living outside of Australia.

To be considered for this category you must be living overseas, have not lived in another Australian State/Territory within the last 12 months AND provide evidence that there are at least 5 job opportunities for your occupation in Tasmania.

Click here for more details and to complete our free online Australia Skilled Visa Assessment