Australia eases visa rules to fill unprecedented labour shortage
By Jeph Ajobaju, Chief Copy Editor
Australia has eased visa rules to attract skilled foreign workers, joining Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Singapore and other countries to seek more immigrants to fill job vacancies as the world economy rebounds from the pandemic.
States and territories in Australia have relaxed certain terms for visa applications to encourage the inflow of migrants to help tackle skill shortages.
Generally, migrants are sponsored by employers for a visa to stay in Australia, but there are times when state and territory authorities can also nominate skilled workers for visas.
They have in recent times been relaxing of some terms and conditions required to obtain state-sponsored visas.
Per reporting by Mint, here is what you need to know:
State-sponsored Australian visas
State and territory authorities can nominate skilled individuals for visas under the State Nominated Migration Program
Individuals holding state-sponsored visas don’t have to be tied to a particular employer but there is an age criterion. The individual has to be aged under 45 years old.
But there is no job guarantee in the category, so they have to find their own position.
Successful applicants are given a permanent visa allowing them to live in the country indefinitely in the case of the Skilled Nominated subclass 190 visa, or provided with a pathway to become a permanent resident after working in regional areas as part of the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa.
A small number of visas are also available for those who own their own business.
There are almost 50,000 state-nominated visas available this year. New South Wales is allocated the highest number.
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States pushing for more spots
Some states have pushed hard to get more spots this year owing to the high demand for skilled workers.
Western Australia (WA) is doubling its number of visas after it lobbied the federal government for an extra allocation. It will now offer 8,140 places this financial year.
“WA’s strong economic growth, very low unemployment rate and high demand for skilled workers mean there is a need to attract in-demand workers through a variety of channels to help sustain our economy,” WA Premier Mark McGowan said, as quoted by SBS news
The occupation lists have been relaxed for almost every industry in WA, along with other states. Candidates with the right type of qualifications are then invited to apply for state nomination.
Visa allocation by state
Below are the visa allocations of each state.
Western Australia
Western Australia now has the third largest allocation of state-nominated spots in the country with 5,350 subclass 190 visas and 2790 regional visas available.
More than 100 extra jobs were added to its skilled occupation list this year
Victoria
Victoria has the second highest number of state-nominated visas available with a quota of 11,570 places for 2022/2023.
It has the highest number of subclass 190 visas (9,000), as well as 2,400 regional visas and 170 business visas.
Queensland
The list of eligible occupations in Queensland has been expanded to include 114 occupations in 2022/2023.
This year, it will have 3,000 subclass 190 visas, as well as 1,200 regional visas and 235 business visas.
South Australia
South Australia has already opened applications for its sponsorship program, with more than 500 occupations eligible.
The region is allocated 2,700 subclass 190 visas, as well as 3,180 regional, and 70 business visas.
Northern Territory
Northern Territory (NT) is one of the few jurisdictions that won’t accept applications from those living overseas.
It also asks that successful applicants agree to live and work in NT for at least three years.
