Demystifying Skills in Demand Visa Australia: A Comprehensive Guide

The Australian government introduced its new Migration Strategy in December 2023 to protect workers and address skill shortages by streamlining the skilled migration process. It announced the establishment of a new Skills in Demand visa, the full details of which are anticipated to be available by the end of 2024.

The Required Skill in Demand Visa, a three-tiered system for applicants based on their annual wages and profession, will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) Visa. This new visa guarantees a fresh approach to occupation lists, quicker visa processing, and more labour mobility. 

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Skills in Demand Visa

Skills in Demand Visa is replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) Visa, a three-tiered migration system. 

• The seven-day processing turnaround for the specialist skills visa option will not include an occupational list. Workers, drivers, labourers, and machinery operators are not eligible for this type of visa. Every year, 3,000 spots will be allotted. For individuals making more than $135,000 annually, there is a “specialist skills” visa.
• Expectations are that most program visas will come from the core skills visa stream. Tradespeople can apply for this visa using an updated version of Jobs and Skills Australia’s “skills in demand list”. The visa for “core skills” for the $70–135,000 salary range. Earnings must meet the TSMIT minimum presently $70,000. But they must be indexed yearly.
• The specifics of the immigration pathway for vital skills are still pending. This visa will be limited to particular industries, have a cap, and be subject to union control. The fields of disability and aged care have been mentioned so far. Those making less than $70,000 are eligible for the “essential skills” visa. 

Testing of the Labour Market

There are plans to streamline LMT; however, the only thing that has been announced thus far is removing the obligation to advertise on the Workforce Australia website. The advertising period’s validity will extend from four to six months.

As Jobs and Skills Australia’s data on skills shortages improves, LMT will be phased out gradually and replaced by a Core Skilled Occupation List.

Expert Australians Fund

Due to the increased flexibility granted to visa holders to switch jobs, consideration will be given to gathering the SAF in smaller instalments over time. We’ll investigate a quarterly or monthly payment plan.

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Key Elements of the Skills in Demand Visa

• Working for any authorised employer will count toward the requirements for permanent residence.
• Holders of a Skills in Demand visa will have access to employer-sponsored pathways with self-nominated independent permanent pathways.
• Each visa stream will have a limit allowed for a 4-year stay.
• A 21-day median processing time
• Demanding Skills Visa holders can switch sponsors and have 180 days to locate a new one.
• There will be a change in the requirements for labour market testing (LMT). The obligation to post advertisements on Workforce Australia has already ceased.

In its Migration Strategy, the Australian government outlines the major long-term reforms that will be launched in 2024. These developments include, but not exclusively include:

• A visa for new skills in demand that offers three options depending on how much the foreign worker plans to make in Australia;
• Simplified regulations for labour market testing;
• Systemic immigration process simplification;
• An organisation to determine talent requirements and
• A new permanent skilled migration point system.

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Procedure for Applying for the “Skills in Demand” Visa

You must fulfil the Skills in Demand Visa Australia requirements of eligibility and documentation as prescribed by the Department of Home Affairs to lodge a visa application.

Apply Online

Use the official online application portal to start the application procedure for a visa. Applicants can easily browse through the many stages of the application process with this portal’s user-friendly interface.

Submission of Documents

Upon using the web portal, candidates must upload all relevant files. These records are used to confirm that a person’s income, abilities, and qualifications match the chosen path.

Documents must contain

• Evidence of a yearly salary greater than AUD 135,000 (for the Specialist Skills Pathway)
• Qualifications and certificates tailored to a given occupation (for the Specialist Skills Pathway)
• Proof of competencies pertinent to designated job shortages (for Core Skills Pathway)
• Verification of fulfilling the Income Threshold for Temporary Skilled Migration (for Core Skills Pathway)

Select suitable Pathway

Candidates must carefully consider their occupation and eligibility before selecting the right pathway.

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Remittance of fees

• Upon fulfilling the documentation submission procedure, candidates must remit the application fees for a visa.
• You can use the approved payment methods listed on the web portal to make payments.
• The chosen pathway and other pertinent variables affect the cost amount.

Examine and submit the completed application form

Applicants should carefully check all submitted information and ensure they have uploaded the necessary documents before submitting their application.

After being satisfied, candidates can use the web portal to submit their application.

Processing 

The appropriate authorities carefully review and process the application when it is successfully submitted.

Processing Times:

• Applicants who choose the Specialist Skills option should anticipate a quicker processing time, usually taking seven days or less.
• Processing periods for other streams, such as the Core Skills track, are roughly 21 days.
• These application processing timeframes are designed to give applicants clarity and efficiency, resulting in a seamless and quick application procedure.

The processing times may change depending on the route chosen and the volume of applications received.

Disclosure

Using the contact details they submitted throughout the application process, applicants will be informed of the status of their visa application.

Approved applicants will get more information on obtaining a visa and other prerequisites.

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Conclusion

By allowing qualified people from an array of origins to join Australia’s economy and culture, skilled immigration from Australia is essential to reducing skill shortages, supporting economic growth, and advancing cultural diversity.

The upcoming launch of a four-year New Skills in Demand Visa aims to alter Australia’s immigration landscape fundamentally. With three different avenues to choose from, this new endeavour will be able to accommodate different immigration criteria.

You can contact an Immigration Agent Adelaide for additional details, confirmation, and information about the cost, what it involves, and the documents required.