Temporary employment changes – 457, TSS & SESR visa holders

Following information has been updated on the website of Department of Home Affairs (DHA):

 
Temporary employment changes – 457, TSS & SESR visa holders

From late September, sponsors will be able to advise us of temporary changes to employment arrangements for 457, TSS & SESR visa holders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic through the ‘Notification of sponsor changes form’ in ImmiAccount.

Sponsors will be able to notify changes for up to ten visa holders on the one form. One form should be completed to notify commencement of the temporary change, and another form should be completed to notify the completion of the temporary change.

Only one type of change is able to be entered for each visa holder per form. Sponsors should enter the primary reason (for example, ’Reduced working hours’ if the visa holder is temporarily working part-time) for the notification. If a visa holder’s salary has also been reduced as a result of the part-time working arrangements, this can be mentioned in the ‘brief description’ box.

Sponsors should attach a detailed outline of the temporary work change, and may include details of temporary business closure, changes to work practices (for example, a restaurant moving to a takeaway or delivery model rather than eat in) and information about whether Australian employees have had similar changes made to their employment arrangements.

We encourage sponsors to use this new facility to advise us of all temporary employment changes that have occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if these changes have since ceased.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/skilled-visa-newsletters/september-2020

 
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Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

New taskforce for attracting businesses and talent to Australia

The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has publishd the following on 4 Sep 2020:

New taskforce for attracting businesses and talent to Australia

​International businesses will be lured to Australia and exceptional talent will be encouraged to call Australia home under a new initiative to support the post-COVID recovery and boost local jobs.

The new, whole-of-government Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce will bring together experts from across the Commonwealth, States and Territories as well as the private sector, as part of the Government’s JobMaker plan.

Senior business leader, Peter Verwer AO, has been appointed as the head of the Taskforce and will be known as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction.

The Taskforce will operate as a ‘strike team’ to turbo-charge the creation of jobs by boosting our efforts to attract high value global business and exceptional talent.

The initial focus will be on three key sectors: advanced manufacturing, financial services (including FinTech) and health.

Australia is strategically well positioned given its management of the pandemic and our relatively strong economy. We have always been an attractive destination due to our lifestyle, democratic system, clean cities and proximity to Asia. We can use those advantages to bring more global business and talent to our shores and help create more Australian jobs.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the global context had significantly changed and many talented people and businesses will now be looking to places like Australia.

“Australia has always been an attractive destination for talent and investment, but given our relative success economically, from a health perspective, and socially, we will be even more attractive.

“We want to capitalise on this and be very focussed on attracting key businesses and global super talent to Australia.  This will aid our recovery and boost jobs for Australians.”

“The Taskforce will take a whole-of-government approach, including coordinating closely with State Government initiatives.  We will be leveraging our networks abroad, including the Australian diaspora, to help identify opportunities.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said luring more investment from global businesses in emerging industries would be a critical part of Australia’s overall economic recovery from COVID-19.

“Through this taskforce and the ongoing work of Austrade we will highlight to global businesses that our overall economic management and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic strengthens our reputation as a stable and attractive investment destination,” Minister Birmingham said.

“As our economy continues to transform, attracting talent and investment will be critical to bringing additional business nous and new technologies to help drive growth in the development of high-value goods and services in emerging industries.

“With one in 10 jobs already supported by foreign direct investment, boosting investment and getting more global businesses to set up shop here will help drive more jobs and opportunities for Australians.”

On 9 July, the Prime Minister announced that Australia would develop incentives to attract export orientated Hong Kong based businesses to relocate to Australia.

This initiative builds on this idea, and the Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment programs, to attract high value businesses and exceptionally talented individuals to Australia to create jobs for Australians.

The Taskforce will join up the Department of Home Affairs with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and draw on expertise from the Treasury, the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Defence, and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

They will work closely with the States and Territories, industry leaders and specialists in identifying and executing opportunities.

 
Interested to know more?

Please Book a Consultation for an initial assessment and find out if you are eligible for an Australian visa and let us guide you towards your Australian migration goal.

 

Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) Announced!

A new Priority Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been announced today.

The PMSOL and strengthened labour market testing will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to return to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create Australian jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy.

The 17 occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) were based on advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies and will be reviewed regularly.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the changes would strike the right balance for Australia’s economic recovery.

Note: Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.

 
Occupations on PMSOL

The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

  • Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
  • Construction Project Manager (133111)
  • Mechanical Engineer (233512)
  • General Practitioner (253111)
  • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
  • Psychiatrist (253411)
  • Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
  • Midwife (254111)
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
  • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
  • Developer Programmer (261312)
  • Software Engineer (261313)
  • Maintenance Planner (312911)

Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.

Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes for those in critical skills and sectors is available at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/critical-skills-and-sectors

 
Interested to know more?

Click here to book a consultation with one of our friendly consultants. You may also fill out the Online Assessment Form to know your eligibility for a visa to Australia.

 

Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.