In 2021-22, the Migration Program Skill stream will continue to focus on visa categories that will grow Australia’s economy rebound from COVID-19, with priority given to visa consultants that drive economic growth, job creation and investment into Canberra, Australia.
The three priority categories within the Skill category for 2021-22 are:
• Business Innovation and Investment Program
• Employer-Sponsored Program
• Global Talent Visa Program
On 23 June 2021, the Migrant Services, Minister for Immigration, Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, announced the inclusion of a series of additional skilled occupations to be added to the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL).
The PMSOL, which was firstly announced in Sept 2020, was developed in concurrence with the National Skills to make sure small number of difficult occupations are filled to continue to create Australian jobs and support the ongoing recovery of Australia from the impact of COVID-19.
The addition of 23 occupations brings the PMSOL to 40 occupations in total.
Employer-sponsored nomination and visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL are given priority processing in Canberra, Australia. This will be applicable to existing as well as future applications that will allow migrants and businesses to have certainty that eligible applications and nominations will be assessed ahead of other applications.
While priority processing will be given to enduring applications that fall within the enlarged PMSOL list, given the number of additional occupations there may be some opening delays in the allocation of applications for priority processing in Canberra, Australia. We would appreciate your patience as we work to process the priority applications.
To make sure this is done quickly, we query that Migration Agents desist from making further inquiries regarding the status of existing applications.
The most updated information on the PMSOL is available on our Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List.
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). Business Innovation and Investment Program changes. On 1 July 2021, changes are being introduced for the Innovation Investment Program and Business. Documentation required for Investment Program and Business Innovation.
We continue to receive incomplete BIIP visa applications. To support the well-organized processing of applications please make sure that:
All documentation is necessary to meet application requirements is provided when the application is lodged.
Supporting evidence provided is specific to the applicant’s claims documentation that is not relevant leads to an increase in the processing period. documentation is a cross-reference to the relevant visa requirement documentation is certified as a true copy unless documents are submitted electronically accredited translations are provided for any documents, not in English documentation is to bring in only one response, if possible. In processing business visa applications, we may not request information before deciding on the application:
Where the provided documentation evidence that a mandatory criterion is not met.
Where not any supporting documentation has been provided for an application. Employer-Sponsored Visas Concessions in Canberra, Australia. Transitional arrangement for COVID-19 affected Subclass 482/457 holder in Canberra.
To be eligible for a subclass 186 TRT visa you must hold a subclass 457/482 and have worked for your employer for at least 3 years full time in Canberra, Australia. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses are adversely affected. As a result, during the pandemic, workers hours are reduced or have been asked to take unpaid leave.
In wake of the above, the government has introduced laws that allow subclass 482/457 visa holders to apply for the subclass 186 TRT despite not working full-time during the concession period. This is aligned with when the pandemic outbreak began in Canberra, Australia. The start date of the concession period is February 2020.
