Let’s see what’s changing:

1. Genuine Student Requirement:

The Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement is getting a makeover. It will now be known as the Genuine Student (GS) requirement. This means applicants will need to provide evidence to show they’re serious about their studies, helping the Department of Home Affairs sift out genuine students from the rest.

2. English Language Requirements:

Early in 2024, the Australian Government is ramping up the English language requirements for student visas. This is to better support students in their learning journey and future employment prospects.

Here’s what’s changing:

• For a Student 500 visa, the required IELTS (or equivalent) score is increasing from 5.5 to 6.0.
• For students taking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main studies, the required score goes up from 4.5 to 5.0.
• Students enrolling in university foundation or pathway programs with reputable English language training will need a score of IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5.

3. Delayed Concurrent Enrollment:

4. Increased Financial Proof:

Additionally, international students will need to prove they have more savings when applying for a student visa. This ensures they can support themselves financially during their stay in Australia.

These updates are designed to maintain the integrity of Australia’s education system and provide a supportive environment for students to thrive. So, if you’re planning to study in Australia, make sure you’re prepared for these changes. Good luck with your studies abroad!

Book a consultation with our migration agent to learn how to create a successful student visa application. 

The Australian Government has made a new plan to fix some problems with their immigration system. Here are some important things to know:

Migration Plan:

• They will plan immigration for more than just one year.
• Fewer people will be allowed to move to Australia in the coming year, and this will continue for some time.
• They are replacing a visa called Temporary Skilled Shortage with a new one called Skills in Demand. This new visa has different rules depending on how much money you earn and what kind of job you have.

Skills in Demand Visa:

• The Skills in Demand visa will be replacing the Temporary Skilled Shortage (subclass 482).
• The Skills in Demand Visa lets people stay in Australia for 4 years.
• People with this visa can change their job sponsor within 180 days.
• If you have this visa, you can apply for permanent residency.
• They are making it easier for employers to hire people from overseas.

Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy:

• Discussions about a new payment model for the SAF Levy allowing smaller increments over time.

Labour Market Testing (LMT):

• The requirement to advertise on Workforce Australia has been scrapped.
• The LMT advertising period will increase from 4 to 6 months.
• Government indicates a gradual phasing out of the LMT requirement

Points Test – General Skilled Migration:

• A new points test will be developed to streamline skilled migration.

Student Visas:

• Replacing the ‘Genuine Temporary Entrant’ requirement with the ‘Genuine Student Test.’
• Efforts to control the number of student visa applications being processed.
• Increased English language test score requirements.
• Reduction in the list of eligible courses and restrictions on course swapping.

Temporary Graduate Visas:

• Prohibition on applying for another student visa.
• Reduced eligibility age from 50 to 35 years.
• Increased English language test score requirements.
• Extended eligibility for students in regional areas.

Regional Migration:

• Increased support for regional areas with fast-tracking of regional visa applications.
• Collaboration with regional areas to identify population needs and skill shortages.

Working Holiday Makers:

• No dramatic changes announced yet, but potential changes to length of stay and the 88-day work requirement are being discussed. 

Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment:

• Focus on applicants who can make a substantial contribution to Australia.
• Consideration of a new ‘Talent and Innovation’ visa.
• Expected continuation of the Significant Investor stream for the Business Innovation and Investment visa.

These changes are part of the Australian Government’s effort to reform its migration system, and the strategy is expected to be introduced in late 2024, subject to legislation being introduced. Further details are yet to be released, and updates will be provided as the changes roll out.

Book a consultation today to find out your migration options in Australia, all in one consultation.

For those dreaming of making Australia their permanent home, there’s great news on the horizon.

The Australian government is introducing significant changes to its migration system, aiming to make the journey from temporary to permanent residence smoother and more accessible for skilled workers.

In this article, we’ll walk you through the key changes that will take effect from November 25, 2023.

Why the changes?

The current pathways to Permanent Residence (PR) for temporary skilled visa holders often result in a growing number of ‘permanently temporary’ residents.

Recognizing this challenge, the government is dedicated to creating clearer pathways to PR for all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa streams. The goal is not only to attract the skilled workers Australia needs but also to simplify the nomination process, providing certainty to both employers and TSS visa holders.

What’s Changing with the TSS Visa?

Starting November 25, 2023, exciting changes are coming to the Short-term Stream of the TSS visa:

• Lodging Applications in Australia:

Limits on the number of Short-term Stream TSS applications will be removed, allowing applicants to lodge multiple applications from within Australia.

• Travel Requirements for Expired Visas:

Short-term Stream TSS holders with visas expiring before the changes will need to travel outside Australia to lodge a third short-term Stream TSS application.

Enhancements to the TRT Stream:

For the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa subclasses, several positive changes are coming:

Eligible Visa Requirements:

• • • • Employers can nominate holders of all TSS visa streams, including Short-term and Labour Agreement streams.
      • Nominees must have held their TSS (or subclass 457) visa(s) for 2 out of the last 3 years before nomination.

Nominated Occupation Updates:

• • • • Nominated occupations will no longer be restricted by skilled migration occupation lists.
      • The nominated occupation must be listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO), with the nominee continuing to work in the nominated occupation for their TSS visa(s).

Work Experience Adjustments:

The required period for TSS visa holders to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer will be reduced to 2 out of the last 3 years before nomination.

Changes to Age Exemptions:

• • • • Age exemptions for regional medical practitioner applicants and high-income earning applicants aged 45 years and over will be adjusted to allow for a two-year pathway.
      • COVID-19 related age exemptions will be terminated as a result of the two-year pathway.

These changes mark a significant step towards providing more equitable access to PR for all TSS visa holders.

As we eagerly anticipate these improvements, Questra Immigration is committed to keeping you informed and assisting you in navigating these exciting updates.

Book a consultation today to find out your migration options in Australia, all in one consultation. 

The Job Ready Program, or JRP, is an essential part of the Australian immigration system. It’s designed to help international students who’ve successfully finished their studies in Australia. The main goal of the JRP is to provide a pathway for these graduates to stay in the country and gain practical work experience, which is crucial for their future careers.

The Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)

At the heart of the Job Ready Program is the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485), often called the “485 visa.” This visa has two streams, each with its own set of requirements:

1. Graduate Work Stream

The Graduate Work Stream is for international students who’ve completed a qualification closely related to an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). To be eligible, you must meet specific criteria, including English language proficiency and a valid skills assessment for your chosen occupation.

2. Post-Study Work Stream

The Post-Study Work Stream is open to international students who’ve finished a higher education degree in Australia, no matter their field of study. The length of the visa depends on your highest educational qualification in Australia, with options ranging from two to four years.

The Job Ready Program: A Closer Look

For those pursuing the Graduate Work Stream, there’s a comprehensive process within the Job Ready Program. Here are the key steps:

1. Skills Assessment

The first step is to have your skills assessed by the relevant authority for your chosen occupation. This ensures your qualifications meet Australia’s requirements and standards for your field.

2. Job Ready Employment

To meet the program’s criteria, you need to gain relevant work experience through paid employment in your chosen occupation. The number of hours and months required can vary depending on your specific field.

3. Job Ready Final Assessment

Once you meet the work experience requirements, you can apply for the Job Ready Final Assessment. This assessment confirms you’ve fulfilled all the program’s requirements, making you eligible for the Graduate Work Stream of the Temporary Graduate visa.

The Job Ready Program in Australia offers international graduates a valuable opportunity to jumpstart their careers and gain practical experience in their chosen fields. Whether you’re aiming for the Graduate Work Stream or the Post-Study Work Stream, it’s crucial to understand the specific requirements and pathways available to you.

As immigration policies and programs can change, we recommend checking the official website of the Australian Department of Home Affairs or consulting with a registered migration agent for the most up-to-date and accurate information regarding the Job Ready Program and related visa processes. This program can be your ticket to a rewarding professional journey in Australia, so ensure you’re well-informed and prepared to take the next step in your career.

The Australian Government has just dropped some big news about the Covid-408 Visa! Let’s break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand:

Slow Farewell:

Starting from September 2, 2023, the Covid visa will only accept applications from those who already have a Covid visa.

Transitional Period:  

Only those who are existing Covid visa holders will be able to apply for a subsequent covid visa effective 2 September 2023 until the visa is fully closed by February 2024. 

In-Between Time:

If you’re one of the lucky ones with an existing Covid visa, you can apply for another one until February 2024 when it’ll be fully closed.

But there’s a catch: the new visa you get will only last for six months, not a whole year. And you’ll need to pay a Visa Application Charge of $405 AUD.

No More Covid Visa for Others:

If you’re on a different visa, like a student or working holiday visa, you won’t be eligible for the Covid visa after September 2, 2023.

What Next? 

If your visa is about to expire, and you can’t get the Covid visa, you’ve got to look into other options. You’ll need to meet the specific requirements for the visa you want. If you don’t have any other visa options, it’s time to plan your exit from Australia when your current visa runs out.

Here’s the Deal

We get it; lots of international students and temporary visa holders were hoping for the Covid visa. But it’s not on the table anymore, and we know many of you aren’t ready to leave Australia.

At Questra Immigration, we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. We can provide support and guidance to both current participants and prospective applicants.  

Any doubts or questions you may have can be directed to our WhatsApp chat, where you can talk with one of our agents. 

If you’re currently studying or have recently completed a trade qualification (e.g. Certificate IV in Kitchen Management, Certificate III in Baking or Certificate III in Carpentry), you should be contemplating your next steps, which is achieving a full skills assessment from the Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) by undertaking the Job Ready Program (JRP)!

We’ve got some good news for you! The TRA has recently released updated applicant guidelines for the JRP which positively impact graduates by streamlining the skills assessment process effective 1 July 2023!

The JRP is now a three-stage employment-based skills assessment program that provides trade qualification graduates the opportunity to demonstrate their job readiness in an Australian workplace. It is in place for graduates pursuing a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation which they can use for General skilled migration purposes.

What are the changes to the Job Ready Program? 

• A Provisional Skills Assessment (PSA) is now again required before applying for the JRP, however a major change is that you no longer need have 360 hours of work experience.
• You no longer need to be the primary holder of a student visa to obtain the PSA
• The PSA is valid for 3 years from the date of the PSA outcome and applicants can use that entire duration to complete their JRP
• After completing the PSA, the standard 3 stages of the JRP are in place:

1. 1. Job Ready Employment (JRE)
   2. Job Ready Workplace Assessment (JRWA)
   3. Job Ready Final Assessment (JRFA)
• At least 12 months of full-time paid employment (of an average of 38 hours per week) or part-time equivalent is required as part of the JRP
• The 12-month work period commences from the JRE start date (usually the date you submit your JRE application)
• Agents (like us) can manage the process throughout all stages of the JRP
• Visa documents are no longer required to apply for the JRP, needless to say though, applicants are required to hold and maintain a valid visa with work rights whilst participating in the JRP.

For Existing JRP Participants and Prospective Applicants:

Whether you’re already a participant in the JRP or have plans to join in the future, taking note of these changes is crucial. It’s highly recommended that you review the updated program guidelines. Understanding the modifications and how they might influence your participation is essential. To gain more clarity, delve into the updated JRP FAQs and the new JRP Applicant Guidelines.

Australia’s Job Ready Program is adapting to provide a more efficient and effective pathway for skilled professionals. With the replacement of JRPRE by the PSA, it’s essential to be well-informed about these changes. Whether you’re already part of the JRP journey or considering joining, taking the time to understand these updates will ensure you’re prepared for the new program structure.

Support and Guidance

At Questra Immigration, we are committed to making this transition as smooth as possible for everyone involved. We can provide support and guidance to both current participants and prospective applicants.  

Any doubts or questions you may have can be directed to our WhatsApp chat, where you can talk with one of our agents.