News

News June 1, 2022 newstarsec

First Positive State Nomination Policy of the New Financial Year — Western Australia Seeks 5,000 Quota Places! The ‘Sure-Thing’ Degree Choices for WA State Nomination, With Highest Invitation Priority

Shared by industry colleague iscah: in the next financial year, the Western Australian state government plans to apply to the federal government for 5,000 state nomination places. While the final number remains to be confirmed, the state government's commitment to attracting international students and maximising nomination opportunities for every student studying in WA is commendable. Local study-abroad graduates will be the biggest beneficiaries of WA's state nomination policy in the new financial year.

News May 31, 2022 newstarsec

Permanent Residency Pathways Open to Offshore Applicants — High Quotas, Fast Approvals, Top Priority! Different Occupations, One Shared Success: Employer Sponsorship!

The two years of COVID dealt offshore applicants their biggest blow by sharply narrowing direct permanent residency pathways. With the Subclass 132 Business Talent visa cut from the investor migration stream, and points requirements for Subclass 189 and 190 Skilled visas climbing steadily higher, the options left for offshore applicants to secure Australian PR with a lower English score have dwindled. Beyond the Global Talent (NIV) visa, employer sponsorship is now the primary remaining route.

News May 30, 2022 newstarsec

485 Graduate Work Visa — Good News Policy Update: Expected to Open for Applications on 1 July! No Skills Assessment Required + Up to 2 Years Full-Time Work!

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA, which primarily represents registered migration agents in communications with the Department) notified the industry last week that while the legislation has not yet been finalised in detail, they expect that from 1 July 2022–23 financial year, applications for the Subclass 485 Graduate Work visa will not require a skills assessment and can proceed smoothly. They will continue to follow up with further updates.

News May 27, 2022 newstarsec

Will IT Professionals Get Invited in the New Financial Year!? More Quota, Lower Scores, More Invitations — Is There Any Hope? A Clear-Headed Summary and Outlook!

In this article we look at the specific policies for Victoria, Queensland and the ACT separately. I won't repeat the shared requirements for the Subclass 190 or Subclass 491 (points test — except for the ACT — age requirements, and so on).

News May 27, 2022 newstarsec

Australia Skilled Migration EOI Points Criteria

To apply for skilled migration, you must complete the skills migration EOI points assessment. A score of 65 points or above is required to be eligible to apply for Australian skilled migration. If an applicant seeks the 5-point spouse bonus, the spouse's age limit is 45 years (previously 50 years). From 1 July 2012, the Department of Home Affairs introduced a new invitation-based skilled visa system — the EOI (Expression of Interest).

News May 25, 2022 newstarsec

Parents Kept Renewing Visitor Visas and Got a Warning? What Other Options Let Elderly Parents Stay in Australia Long-Term Without the Hassle?

As the pandemic has gradually eased, the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa — originally designed as a COVID transition measure — has progressively become more purpose-specific, now requiring applicants to have work in Australia. This has left many parents of PRs and citizens worried once again. The 408 was previously low-barrier, free, and slow to process, offering a temporary lifeline; now parents are back to facing the reality of having to depart when their visa expires — particularly those on visitor visas that require departure after just three months.

News May 24, 2022 newstarsec

First New Financial Year State Nomination Policies and Lists Announced! Over 190 Occupations Added Including ICT/Audit + Offshore Applications Open! A Positive Read on What This Signals for Migration Ahead!

Yesterday, the Western Australian Minister for Education and Training and the Minister for International Education issued a joint statement confirming that the WA Government will continue to welcome skilled migrants and international students to study, live and work in Western Australia. As part of the $195 million Reconnect WA strategy, WA's Graduate Occupation List will add 194 occupations — bringing the total to 331 eligible occupations alongside the current 130+ — to encourage more international students to choose WA for their studies. At the same time, WA will also open its state nomination programme to offshore applicants in the new financial year.

News May 23, 2022 newstarsec

“The Old Man Nearly Got Sent Home Alone!” — The Law Has a Human Side: A Memorable AAT Appeal Win

Over the past few weeks we have had multiple successful cases where applicants whose visas were refused by the Department of Home Affairs went on to win their appeals at the AAT — including Subclass 485, Subclass 600 visitor, Subclass 500 student, and a long-running Subclass 187.

News May 22, 2022 newstarsec

Labor wins! Will Australia’s migration policy improve under the new government?

Australia's 2022 federal election concluded on 21 May. This time there were no upsets and no surprises — Scott Morrison's Liberal Party was voted out, Labor won the election, and Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Australia's new Prime Minister.

News May 20, 2022 newstarsec

Some Tuition Fees Under $20,000 a Year! Top Migration and Employment-Friendly Programmes with Fully Recognised Qualifications — Can You Afford to Miss Out?

When it comes to studying in Australia, most people set their sights on the Group of Eight. But with Go8 tuition fees rising each year, and high rents in Sydney and Melbourne, the costs are becoming overwhelming — University of Sydney fees have already surpassed $50,000 a year......