We recently told you about the skills required to move to Australia in 2021, according to the country's skills shortage list. The country is, therefore, opening up gradually to foreign professionals having high skills that are not available locally. Taking into account the urgency amidst the global health crisis, Australia is offering 79,600 places under the Skilled Migration program for the year 2020-2021. However, only 6,500 places have been allocated so far due to the low demand.
What is the Skilled Migration Scheme?
This program is part of the Skilled Independent Visa category (subclass 189), through which foreign nationals can apply for permanent residency after living in Australia for three years. It has been set up to attract highly qualified professionals who make a significant contribution to the Australian economy. Today, you can move to Australia if you have one of the 17 priority skills, namely in healthcare, ICT and construction sectors. In other words, nurses, doctors, psychiatrists, midwives, software or mechanical engineers, highly qualified programmers are some of the most sought-after profiles in Australia. It's worth noting that these occupations were selected from Australia's skills shortage list of more than 200. However, to be eligible, you must be aged less than 45 and have strong English language skills.
Other qualified visas in Australia
To be able to live and work in Australia, and be eligible for permanent residency, you can apply for several other types of special visas. With a Skilled Regional Visa (subclass 491), for example, you can make a short stay in a specific region of Australia. While it allows you to stay for 5 years in the country, you may apply for permanent residency after 3 years. With a Nominated Visa (Subclass 190), you are also eligible for permanent residency as long as you meet income requirements.
The Global Talent Independent Program allows foreign nationals specialising in agro-technology, medical technology, space technology, fintech, energy, mining technologies, cybersecurity and science data can to become permanent residents in Australia. However, they must earn more than $ 153,600 annually. Besides, they will need sponsorship, i.e., an Australian specialist in the relevant field, to submit their application.
There are other specialised visas that can help you become a permanent resident in Australia, including subclasses 186, 482, and 494. However, to get these visas, you will need a sponsor first.
Attracting foreign investors
The Australian economy relies not only on foreign labour but also on foreign investment. So the Australian government decided to increase the number of places for the Business Innovation and Investment Program to 13,500. While the country was aiming at welcoming at least 6,862 applicants under this program last year, only 4,420 requests were submitted. Today, the government is reviewing its policies with a greater focus on the quality of investments and investors. Entrepreneurs, investors and business people who bring added value to the Australian economy will get particular attention. However, BIIP visa application fees will rise by 11.3% from July 1, 2021.
Some points to take into account
If you're keen on moving to Australia, there are some key points to take into account. For example, anyone applying for a permanent visa (subclass 801) is required to prove their English language skills. This also applies to their dependents. Moreover, to support social cohesion, Australia now requires applicants for partner visas and permanent visas to take part in an English language test from mid-2021. But these courses will be provided free of charge by the government for 500 hours. Also, the police now have to make a mandatory character check when a visa application has been submitted. Previously, candidates just had to produce an extract of their criminal record.
From now on, anyone applying for a temporary, provisional or permanent visa to Australia is required to sign the newly updated Australian Declaration of Values. They will be given a booklet, which is available in 41 languages so that they can learn about Australian history, society and culture. Those who refuse to sign this declaration will be denied entry into Australia. Permanent visa applicants have to sign two other documents -- a commitment to make the necessary efforts to learn the language and a pledge of loyalty to Australia if they intend to apply for citizenship during their stay.
A new Australian citizenship test, focusing on Australian values, has also been implemented on November 15, 2020.
