By the end of the year, all Sponsorship Visa holders in Australia will be able to apply for the Permanent Employer Nomination 186 visa – even those whose occupation is on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). This is great news and it is not all!
There were many positive changes announced for the Review of the Australian Immigration System and some of the confirmed ones have to do with the Sponsorship Visa.
At Bravo Migration, we understand that changes to the Australian migration system can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to explain in better detail and plain language for you what will make a difference for skilled workers and employers alike.
Permanent Employer Nominated Visas (186) for all Sponsorship Visa Holders in Australia
It’s been over 5 years since the Liberals changed the requirements for the Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Visa in Australia. Since then, only sponsored workers who can nominate occupations in the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) are eligible to apply for the PR via the 186 Employer Nomination Visa.
On top of that, applicants are only eligible under the Temporary Residence Transition Stream, once they have worked for the same sponsoring employer for 3 years minimum.
By the end of 2023, this will change as per an official media release by the Department of Home Affairs last Week.
The New Labour Government will take things back as they were 5 years ago, and any Sponsorship Visa Holder in Australia – on a Subclass 482 visa – will be eligible to apply for Permanent Residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, regardless if their occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or on the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).
Better yet: fewer working years will be required for a Sponsorship Visa holder to apply for the PR in Australia!
Instead of having to work for the same sponsoring employer for 3 years, sponsorship visa holders could be eligible after 2 years. But applicants will still have to meet several other criteria:
- First and foremost, the employer needs to agree to nominate the sponsored worker for a Permanent Visa. This is the employer’s choice.
- The business of the employer needs to meet nomination criteria.
- The visa applicant needs to meet minimum age, English proficiency, health and character requirements.
The minimum annual salary package for sponsored visas will be increased
From the 1st July 2023, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will be adjusted from $53,900 to $70K a year – this hasn’t been adjusted for the past 10 years, so the government believes this is where it would be, had it been adjusted every year.
The new salary package will only come into effect for applications lodged on or after 1st July 2023. So if you want to lodge a Sponsorship Visa application with a lower salary package, get in touch with us ASAP as there is still time to lodge it before 1st July!
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