State and Territory Nomination Changes for Skilled and Business Visas During COVID-19 Pandemic
Since the beginning of 2020, the Coronavirus pandemic has been impacting the whole world. The pandemic has changed many aspects of our lives and suspended many dreams and plans for so many people. This situation also puts the dreams of so many people who want to migrate and work in Australia through the General Skilled Migration Visa on hold. The Department of Home Affairs has advised as per 1 July 2020, State and Territory Government not to process nomination allocation for the Skilled visa. The State and Territory Government has stated that their nomination will be temporarily suspended until the federal government’s allocation for state skilled visa nomination is announced for the program year 2020-2021.
As a result, many States and Territory Skilled Visa Nominations have been closed until further notice
However, after months of suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Australia’s general skilled migration is likely to be re-open. It is for limited time and only for occupations specific to the current circumstances. The allocation and occupations priority for the nomination remains limited. The main focus at the moment is to prioritise those skilled occupations that are critical to assist with the COVID-19 recovery.
During COVID-19 It would appear that the Australian government will be focusing on critical sectors which are:
- People providing critical or specialist medical services, including air ambulance, medical evacuations and delivering critical medical supplies;
- People with critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services (such as in medical technology, critical infrastructure, telecommunications, engineering and mining, supply chain logistics, agricultural technology, food production, and the maritime industry);
- People delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery (such as financial technology, large scale manufacturing, film and television production, and emerging technology), where no Australian worker is available.
South Australia State Skilled Visa Nomination 20/21 – COVID-19 Pandemic
The Government of South Australia has been advised of a limited number of interim allocation places for the State’s General Skilled and Business Migration Program for 2020/21. This allocation will be prioritised to support South Australia’s economic and public health recovery.
In addition, Immigration South Australia has advised that General Skilled Visa applications will be prioritised in line with the following criteria:
- High-quality skilled visa applications within the Business Innovation and Investment Program;
- Skilled visa applicants that are critical to supporting South Australia’s response to the COVID19 pandemic, including individuals providing critical or specialist medical services, critical skills required to maintain the supply of essential goods and services; or delivering services in sectors critical to Australia’s economic recovery;
- Early consideration of onshore applications that satisfy the above criteria.
The full skilled state and territory nomination allocations for 2020/21 will be determined later in the year as part of the 2020/21 Budget process which is due to take place in October 2020.
Below is the list of visas affected because of these regulations:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa;
- Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa;
- Business Innovation stream (subclass 188A) (Provisional) visa;
- Investor stream(subclass 188B) (Provisional) visa;
- Significant Investor stream (subclass 188C) (Provisional) visa;
- Entrepreneur stream (subclass 188E) (Provisional) visa;
- Significant Business History (subclass 132A) (Permanent) visa;
- Venture Capital Entrepreneur (subclass 132B) (Permanent) visa;
Australia is currently focusing on managing COVID-19 Pandemic and it aims to ease the situation and on track for a recovery program, Australian government acknowledges skilled migration is one of the important factors to help their economy recover sooner. They are reviewing the skilled migration program requirements on a regular basis. Some skilled migration program changes are expected to reflect this mission.
Still not sure how State and Territory Skilled Visa Nominations impact you? Speak to us, we are here to help!
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