South Australian Immigration Introduce Changes in Visa For International Medical Occupants

The South Australian immigration department has brought a few changes in its facets of nomination and processing, particularly for its overseas medical and health professionals. This includes much less work experience requirements for all the international medical and health workers in Australia. Besides, all the medical and health professionals who are working in South Australia will be considered eligible to apply for the visa subclass 190 only if they are working,

• For the past 12 months particularly for their nominated occupation (including 20 hours of working per week)
• For the past 6 months particularly for their nominated occupation (including 20 hours of working per week) etc.

Also Read: Australia Grants Applications Of New Visa For Temporary Visa Holders

However, there some occupations which have been excluded from the permanent visa subclass 190 and professionals working for any of these following occupations won’t be able to apply.

• 224711 Management Consultant
• 222312 Financial Investment Manager
• 222311 Financial Investment Advisor
• 222112 Finance Broker
• 221214 Internal Auditor
• 221213 External Auditor
• 221211 Company Secretary
• 221113 Taxation Accountant
• 221112 Management Accountant
• 2211111 Accountant (General)
• 149914 Financial Institution Branch Manager and
• 132211 Finance Manager

You won’t be able to apply for the visa subclass 190 if you want to manage a responsible post related to any of these occupations. More importantly, the South Australian immigration department has also declared that the visa processing of all the health and medical professionals will be carried out at first followed by others. The applicant can also apply for a priority processing online to the immigration department of South Australia, in case their existing visa is just a fortnight away from expiring. Apart from this, applicants who are already working as a health or medical professional in Australia can apply for the visa subclass 491 only if they have met the following criteria.

• If they are working in a sponsored region of Australia under a relevant occupation
• If they are working there for not more than 20 hours a week and
• If they have received an exemption from their current work experience requirements.

Also Read: Australia’s Skilled Occupation List Has Come Up With a Few Amendments in it

Also, registered nurses who are working in a sponsored region of Australia under a skilled occupation will get an exemption from the 5 years to work experience, which was earlier considered as a mandatory criterion to be met to work as a legally nursing professional in Australia. Besides, all the medical and health professionals who are currently working in regional Australia need to meet two essential criteria accordingly to apply for the visa subclass 491. The two of these criteria can be considered below.

• Scoring at least 65 points including the state nomination points and
• Proving a sound proficiency in the English language

International graduates who have obtained their graduation degree from a recognized Australian organization and are working either as a medical or health worker in Australia will also get certain privileges. The most important facility which they are likely to get is an exemption from the three-month work experience which were earlier required to work as a medical and health professional in Australia. These facilities are only applicable to workers holding the visa subclass 190, unlike the 491 visa. Most importantly, overseas applicants who want to choose any of the following professions won’t be able to apply.

• 351411 Cook
• 351311 Chef and
• 141111 Cafe or Restaurant Manager

Also Read: Working Rights Of Skilled Workers In Australia

Some of these changes implemented by the South Australian immigration department will come into effect from the 27th of March 2020 after 12 pm, only if you have met all the eligibility criteria related to them effectively.

In the wake of this ongoing COVID-19 crisis, the Australian government is formulating, evaluating, and changing its policies constantly. To keep you updated about the changes and help you with effective visa advice, ISA Migrations would always be there.