A good education is imperative for a successful career. The international education positively impacts your career as well as personal growth. The experiences you gain while studying and living in the globally diverse environment are manifold. Social Worker is one such field where a global exposure matters a lot. And the best places to get valuable and quality Social Worker Education is Australia.

Here we have highlighted various key points related to this field. You will be able to discover ample of opportunities if you are opting to gain Social Worker qualifications from Australia. Below are the pressing questions and their answers that you must be concerned about in case you are very serious about taking up this career.

1. What is Social Work?
2. Who are Social Workers and what do they do?
3. Where do Social Workers work?
4. What is the annual earning of a Social Worker?
5. Which are the Social Worker Degree Courses in Australia?
6. What is the demand of Social Workers in Australia? What are the possibilities pertaining to migration and job roles?
7. Are there possibilities for permanent residency after graduating from the related course?
8. What is the basic course entry prerequisite for this course?
9. Are you interested to start a new career? Where can you study and when can you start?

1. What is Social Work?

Social Work is an exciting career area which is very greatly related to psychology. It is work carried out with well trained professionals with the aim to reduce pain and suffering of those who are suffering from social deprivation. It is an academic and professional discipline that looks into the welfare of individuals and communities.

2. Who are Social Workers and what do they do?

The trained professionals who utilize social theories to understand human issues and help them improve their lives further improving the society as a whole are known as Social Workers. Social Workers usually specialize in helping women, children and aiding to life- threatening problems.

Social Workers:

• Behave as advocates for their clients
• Teach clients new skills
• Get their clients to link to essential resources within the community
• Protect vulnerable clients and make sure that their best interests are observed
• Counsel clients who need support and assistance
• Research social problems to look for remedies

3. Where do Social Workers work?

Most Social Workers are employed either in the social assistance sector or the healthcare sector which include psychiatric clinics, NGOs, hospitals etc.

They are also employed in government agencies at the state and local level. Their positions would include child welfare assessments, help any individual in need of public assistance and also work with individuals who come in contact with the criminal justice system.

4. What is the annual earning of a Social Worker?

An average social worker salary depends on many factors such as the speciality area, educational background etc. However, an average earning of a social worker ranges from approximately AUD 50 K to AUD 80 K per annum (the salary depends on the years of significant experience) an applicant possesses and the demand of the position in each state within Australia.

5. Which are the Social Worker Degree Courses in Australia?

Courses in the field of social work range into 2 types: –

• The undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Social Work) with no prior study. This study can take up to four years to complete.
• The postgraduate degree [Master of Social work / Master of Social Work (qualifying)]. This degree is offered for two years. Recently these courses are also offered to graduates with specialisations such as psychology, law and social science.

Due to diverse areas the specialisations are offered, social workers are able to choose to take up jobs pertaining to family or child welfare services, psychiatric services, healthcare sectors, age care sectors and the criminal law and justice sector.

AASW (Australian Association of Social Workers) is the skill assessment authority for social worker looking to apply for Australia migration visa. Therefore, students studying this course must make sure that it is accredited by AASW for their skill assessment outcome to be positive. to ensure a positive skill assessment for migration purposes.

6. What is the demand of Social Workers in Australia? What are the possibilities pertaining to migration and job roles?

Social Worker is a large occupation and has grown to a considerable extent in the last 5 years. Based on the data provided in the Occupation Ceiling, Social Workers was allocated 1562 places out of which only 72 places have been occupied. Based on this information, statistics say that approximately only 4.6% of the places were taken this year which significantly portrays the skill shortage faced. This trend would continue until more graduates take up this field to study. This field of study is not very popular among students and this information must be made aware greatly so that the skill shortage reduces considerable.

Key Salary Info:-

The state of Darwin and Western Australia have the highest demands for Social Worker.

7. Are there possibilities for permanent residency after graduating from the related course?

Certainly, as this occupation falls under the MTSSL list, studying an accredited course from a reputed university will make the student eligible to successfully get a positive Skill assessment from AASW. They can directly apply for the Permanent Residency (189) without having any Australian state or regional area sponsoring them. One needs a minimum of 60 points.

8. What is the basic course entry prerequisite for this course?

To study a Bachelor Degree, the student needs to hold a relevant high school degree with good percentage. To study Master Degree, a Bachelor degree in the following discipline (social welfare, community work, sociology, psychology, nursing, education, criminal justice, international studies, and indigenous studies) is essential. It has been seen that admission criteria can change from case to case basis. The minimum IELTS requirement for entry into the course is overall 6.5 with no less than 6.0 each or PTE equivalent. English Requirement is also subject to change based on the Universities chosen to study this course.

9. Are you interested to start a new career? Where can you study and when can you start?

Social Work courses are offered by many Australian Universities. The earliest intake is in March 2018.

In today’s world, Social Work is definitely one of the occupation rising its way through. For someone who is passionate about the working for the society, Social Worker Career is one best option. Also there are many pathways towards Australia PR.

This is the chance to pursue a noble profession. With our Education counsellors, you can get detailed information and complete guidance on selecting the suitable course. They are not only experts but experienced to provide various solutions depending upon the individual’s requirements and situations. Not just that, they will guide you with your Australia Student Visa application, too. So, just visit our office or fill out the inquiry form to get the process started. We guarantee optimum service.

You can seek guidance from our expert on our International Student Forum too.

International Education can enhance an individual’s career exponentially. While there are many different fields to opt, there is one career that is on the rise in Australia which is that of the Quantity Surveyor and it is related to the field of construction.

Australia offers top quality education with industry oriented practical exposure as a part of course curriculum. Based on such valuable learning that it offers, it attracts large number of international students. This profession, however, is not so well-known amongst the folks hailing from outside the land down under. But, there are Quantity Surveyor Courses offered by reputed Australian educational institutes that one can opt.

This blog answers all the questions that uncover the occupation of Quantity Surveyor in detail.

1. Who is a quantity surveyor?
2. How much are quantity surveyors earning?
3. What qualification will I need to become a quantity surveyor?
4. What is the scenario regarding the demand for this field in Australia? What are the possible migration outcome and job outcomes?
5. Is there a possible PR option after studying this course?
6. Can I study this course at a Masters level without holding relevant Bachelors in this field?
7. I am interested in this new career and eager to start? Where can I study and when is the next intake?

1. Who is a quantity surveyor?

A Quantity Surveyor is a qualified professional who specialises in managing complete costs (from start to final calculations) related to the building and civil engineering projects measurement and estimating the value of construction costs. A qualified professional will be working for the lucrative construction industry providing key inputs on Building Cost evaluation and management process.

2. How much are quantity surveyors earning?

They earn an average salary of AU$74,648 per year. As professionals build their project management skills, wages rise to up to AU $110,000 per year

3. What qualification will I need to become a quantity surveyor?

A Bachelors or Masters level qualification in an appropriate field of construction management is needed. Some of the examples of qualifying degrees are as below

• Bachelor of Construction Management
• Bachelor of Construction Management and Economics
• Master of Construction Practice (Professional)

For any student, looking to apply for Permanent Residency Visa for Australia, it is advised to opt for courses accredited by AIQS (Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors) to ensure a positive skill assessment.

4. What is the scenario regarding the demand for this field in Australia? What are the possible migration outcome and job prospects?

There is obviously an enormous demand in Australia and a skill shortage with not enough students taking up this field. This also reflects in the occupation ceiling. A total of 1000 occupation ceilings have been allocated for applicants for migration programme year 2017 and so far only 18 have been filled. This trend is expected to continue until we see more graduates taking up this field of study. So far, awareness around this field of study is less among the international students.

Key information:

The top three regions for employment as a Quantity Surveyor include:

5. Is there a possible PR option after studying this course?

Yes. Students can secure a positive skill assessment from AIQS upon completion of one of their accredited courses. Since the occupation is on the Skilled Occupation list i.e MLTSSL, one can meet the requirements for Permanent residency (189) with 60 points. You need not be sponsored by any state or regional area.

6. Can I study this course at a Masters level without holding relevant Bachelors in this field?

Students can certainly opt for this course at a Masters level too. The non-graduate entry allows students from any discipline to become a Quantity Surveyor after completing a Masters level course. You will require an IELTS score of overall 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0 or even PTE equivalent is accepted for entry into the course.

7. I am interested in this new career and eager to start? Where can I study and when is the next intake?

Many universities offer Construction management courses at a Bachelors level and Masters Level Australia wide. The earliest intake for this course is in Jan 2018. So what are you waiting for!!! For more info on quantity surveyor Courses and to make an application.

Quantity Surveying in the public sector has high importance. Due to which the pay is lucrative. Quantity Surveyors are regarded as construction industry professionals. If you are looking to make your career in that industry, then going for a specialised course is sure to yield fruitful results. As the occupation is in the MLTSSL, there are good chances for the international students to get Permanent Residency in Australia post completion of the suitable academic course.

At Aussizz Group, our education counsellor work diligently to provide all round solution for every aspiring student. They have developed expertise and supported numerous students choose the right course, suitable institute and even assisted entirely with the Student Visa for Australia. You, too, can get in touch with our counsellors at any of our branches to know more about the Quantity Surveyor occupation and pathway courses to it. If you prefer that we contact you, then fill your details in the inquiry form and one of our education consultant will get back to you.

Want to ask another question? Ask the overseas education professionals on the Study Abroad Forum.

Over few years, Australia has emerged as one of the top destinations to offer supreme quality education. This has resulted in talents from across the globe flocking in to study in Australia. The chance to unfurl awesome career opportunities has further resulted in willingness amongst students to explore the Permanent Residency prospects.

If you are a student who is dying to grasp an awesome career opportunity in Australia, then you must consider getting complete info about the Career in Laboratory Science.

Here are some important insights on Careers in Lab Medicine, more commonly known as Medical Laboratory Scientists!

1. Who are Medical Laboratory Scientists?
2. How much does a Medical Laboratory Scientist earn?
3. What is the qualification one must acquire in order to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist?
4. What are some of the other related careers associated with this field of study?
5. What is the demand for this career in Australia? What are the migration possibilities and job outcomes?
6. Are there PR possibilities after completion of this course?
7. What is the entry requirement for this course?
8. I am ready for a new career and raring to start? Where can I study and when can I start?

1. Who are Medical Laboratory Scientists?

Medical Laboratory Scientists are qualified healthcare professionals who perform chemical, microscopic and bacteriological diagnosis, and analysis of blood, tissue and other fluids. They play a vital role in examining and providing information by generating accurate laboratory data which would assist physicians in diagnosing patients and determining appropriate treatment methods.

2. How much does a Medical Laboratory Scientist earn?

The average salary of a Medical Laboratory Scientist is approximately AUD 58,000 per year, however, wages could rise up to approximately AUD 100,000 per annum depending on the years of experience a candidate possesses.

3. What is the qualification one must acquire in order to become a Medical Laboratory Scientist?

A Bachelor or Master qualification in the relevant field of Medical Science is needed.

The Course options are

• Bachelor of Medical Science (Pathology)
• Bachelor of Science (Laboratory Medicine)
• Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
• Bachelor of Biomedical Science (Laboratory Medicine)
• Bachelor of Laboratory Medicine
• Master of Laboratory Medicine
• Master of Laboratory Medicine (Professional Experience Sequence)

It is advised that students take up courses from Universities accredited by AIMS (Australian Institute of Medical Scientist) to ensure a positive skill assessment for migration purposes.

4. What are some of the other related careers associated with this field of study?

Medical laboratory scientist can also gain employment as Biomedical Scientist, Medical Scientific Officer, Pathologist in a hospital or research setting.

5. What is the demand for this career in Australia? What are the migration possibilities and job outcomes?

There is definitely a huge demand when it comes to this field as very few opt to study this particular field. Looking at the Occupation Ceiling, Medical Laboratory Scientists was allocated 1487 places for the current migration programme year but, so far, only 35 places have been filled. Statistics show that only 2.5% of the places were taken this year indicating apparent skill shortage.

Key Statistics: –

• Starting Salary currently range from approximately $55,000 to $60,000 per annum.
• Senior level position wages range from approximately $85,000 to $100,000 per annum
• Highest demand for a Medical Laboratory Scientist is in the state of Queensland (QLD) and New South Wales (NSW). However, there is a demand for this occupation all over Australia.

6. Are there PR possibilities after completion of this course?

Yes, Student would get a positive Skill Assessment from AIMS if they complete one of the courses from the Universities accredited by AIMS. This occupation is listed on the MLTSSL (Medium and Long Term Strategic Skills List) and one can qualify for Permanent Residency Visa specifically under the Visa Subclass 189 without any state or regional area sponsoring the applicant with 60 points.

7. What is the entry requirement for this course?

For a bachelor level qualification, the student must have completed an appropriate high school qualification with majors in the field of Science. For a master level qualification, student must have completed a bachelor qualification in the cognate discipline (Laboratory Medicine, Biomedical or Biological Sciences, health science or Medicine) with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (out of 4.0) or a minimum of 5 years of work experience in the relevant field. An IELTS score of overall 6.5 with no bands less than 6.0 or PTE equivalent is needed as minimum requirement for entry into the course.

8. I am ready for a new career and raring to start? Where can I study and when can I start?

Laboratory Medicine courses at a Bachelor level and Master Level is offered at various universities Australia-wide. The nearest intake for this course is in February 2018.

It is indeed a high-paying and bright career choice. There are many good universities offering this Medical Laboratory Medicine Courses and you can certainly get more information about the course, admissions, tuition, Student Visa application process from our education consultant. They will guide you with the suitable pathway, make university as well as visa application and more.

Quick Decision will be in your favour as the intake is in February 2018. Get rid of all the dilemmas. Just talk to our education consultant regarding career opportunity in Australia, give us a call or visit our branch near you.

You can also simply fill out the inquiry form and one of our consultants will get back to you within 24 hours.

Have another question? Ask the education experts and registered migration agents on International Student Forum.

The year 2017 is marked by significant changes in a number of Australian visas. This has been clearly reflected in the processing times of Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) 187 visa.

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187) Visa is a PR (Permanent Residence) visa for the skilled migrants who desire to work in regional Australia. This RSMS Programme is applicable only outside the major cities of Australia like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Newcastle, and Wollongong as they are not included in Regional Australia.

With the announcement of future modifications in the procedure, the number of applicants for the Regional Sponsored Visa 187 has increased to a huge number. As a result, the processing time has also risen with the included RCB (Regional Certifying Body) advice by Immigration South Australia.

The visa processing for RSMS requires going through three stages, including:

Stage 1: Advice from RCB

• In this stage, the RCB demands certain proofs from the employer to examine whether his application is genuine or not.
• This advertisement period counts 4 weeks followed by an application process of 8 weeks.

Stage 2: Nomination Application

• In this step, it is checked if the employer has nominated you for a vacant/new position or replaced your post with the existing one. This needs to be proven with some documents.
• Department of Home Affairs verifies the genuineness of the requirement and cross-check the provided documents.
• This whole procedure takes about 10 months to get the nomination approval.

Stage 3: Visa Application

• Once the nomination gets approved, you can lodge your visa application. This can also be done while waiting for the nomination approval.

So, to reduce the processing period and avoid the new changes due to be introduced in March 2018, you can lodge all these three stages at the same time.

Must Read: All you need to know about RSMS 187 Visa

Here is how Aussizz Group comes to your aid to complete the processing of your 187 Visa

We have a team of expert and registered migration agents who can assist you from the initial stage of processing your application till the grant of visa and even further with the citizenship application.

Our team communicates with your employer directly so that you and your employer can breathe in relief as we take care of the whole procedure. Our migration team adheres to a strict code of conduct when it comes to the confidential information of our clients and leaves no stone unturned to help them get a positive outcome.

How can you start your application for Regional Sponsored 187 Visa with the Aussizz Group?

Are you also the one looking to apply for RSMS visa (subclass 187) soon? If yes, then make a move at the VERY MOMENT. You can prearrange an appointment with our expert migration agents and receive their recommendations and advice on document requirement and other visa obligations.

To initiate your application for 187 Visa, you need to submit the essential documents and necessary information to us. Once we acquire the prerequisites, we aim to lodge your application within 2 Business days.

How can you get in touch with the Aussizz Group TODAY?

We believe in keeping our clients updated and serve them with the best solutions for their problems. You can even ask specific queries related to 187 Visa on the immigration expert forum. You can feel free to visit our nearby office in your city or contact us via phone or email. 

Are you a Permanent Resident of Australia? If yes, then are you contemplating to gain the Australian Citizenship? Well, to acquire citizenship of Australia, you need to meet certain conditions set by the Government.

Here are the criteria for applying for Australian Citizenship.

• You need to be a PR of Australia.
• You should not have been absent from Australia for more than one year throughout your PR period.
• Passing the citizenship test is necessary.
• You must meet the ‘good character’ requirement that includes the Police Checks.

On 20^th April 2017, the Australian Government announced some new requirement to acquire the Australian Citizenship.

These requirements include:

• All applicants need to pass the stand-alone English test which will examine their proficiency in Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening English language.
• The applicant is required to have lived in Australia as a Permanent Resident for at least 4 years.
• The level of citizenship test will be strengthened to determine whether an applicant understands and commits to the shared values and responsibilities while residing in Australia.
• All the applicants will need to show measures that they have taken to contribute to the Australian community. These measures include evidence of one’s employment, their membership in the community organizations of Australia, and school enrolment of their eligible children.
• At present, there is no set limit to the number of times an applicant fails in the citizenship test. But the new requirement says that an applicant can fail the test only thrice.
• For applicants who indulge in any sort of cheating during the Citizenship test, an automatic fail will be introduced to them.

However, this announcement raised many concerns and protests among the residents of Australia and even political personalities against the Government. 

As a consequence, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee came up with its reports on the Australian Citizenship Bill 2017. This report states that the Committee made four major recommendations regarding the Government’s citizenship changes. These recommendations were tabled in Parliament on 5^th September 2017.

These recommendations include:

Recommendation 1:

The Committee has asked the Government to clarify the standard for English language but also stated that the standard must not be set too high that it would disqualify the eligible applicants from achieving citizenship.

Recommendation 2:

The Committee also asked the Government to revise the imposition of 2-year ban on applicants for citizenship who failed three times successively in the citizenship test. Instead, the Government should introduce some additional tests on a cost-recovery basis to reduce the fraudulent applications.

Recommendation 3:

The Committee even asked the Government to consider introducing some transitional provisions for citizens who hold permanent resident visas on or before 20^th April 2017 so that the current residency requirement applies to this group of citizenship applicants.

Recommendation 4:

The Committee has asked the Senate to pass the bill.

Will the Government amend the bill by considering the recommendations and pass it or will it stick to its statement? We just have to wait and watch for the Government’s final declaration. Watch this space for all such updates and announcements. If you are seeking any further details on the information or updates regarding the Australian Citizenship, feel free to contact us or visit our nearby office.

It is evident to all, that twice in every month, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs release SkillSelect invitations. It is an online system that helps Australia address regional skill shortages by inviting skilled workers to migrate to Australia.

In order to begin with this process, applicants need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI), which is an indication given to the immigration authorities on why you should be considered for Australian visa.

To complete an EOI, an applicant is required to submit a range of information like personal information, nominated profession, education, work experience, English language proficiency, skill assessment relevant to the nominated occupation, business and investment experience (if applicable).

The following visas are applied through SkillSelect:

• Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132)
• Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188)
• Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)
• Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190)
• Skilled – Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)

On 9^thAugust 2017, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs released its first SkillSelect invitation round. Let’s have a look at the numbers in this round:

Number of Invitations Issued

Number of Invitations

**Above numbers do not include results of the State and Territory Government nominated visas i.e. for the Skilled – Nominated visa (subclass 190), Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass 132), and Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188). Results for these visa subclasses are created separately and provided monthly.

Number of Intending Migrants who received nominations from State and Territory Government in July 2017 are as follows:

How does the invitation process works in SkillSelect?

Generally, applicants with highest point score are invited to apply for the respective visa. While those with equal points scores are considered to be invited on the basis of time they got their scores for a particular subclass. Expression of Interest with earlier dates of effect are given first priority than later dates.

Cut-offs Required 

Occupations with Pro Rata Arrangements

Following the high level of demand, some occupations got their processing through pro rata arrangements. SkillSelect allocate the vacant places to Skilled- Independent visas (subclass 189) on a priority basis and the remaining places to Skilled – Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489). In case, 189 visa get all the allocations, 489 visa will remain indigent of such invitations.

• Accountants
• Auditors, Company Secretaries and Corporate Treasurers
• Electronics Engineers
• Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers
• Other Engineering Professionals
• ICT Business and System Analysts
• Software and Applications Programmers
• Computer Network Professionals

Cut-offs & the visa dates of effect for the pro-rate occupations

Those who are not aware about pro-rata occupations, here is a brief overview:

• Those occupations that have more number of eligible EOIs lodged than the number of places available in the occupational ceilings are known as pro rata occupations. Invitations for pro rata occupations are restricted in each round, which leads to higher minimum points or longer waiting procedure times.
• If you are looking for more information on SkillSelect or would like to apply for General Skilled Migration, book a consultation with our certified consultants today. We’ll not only assist on the required points for your occupations but also assure to improve your eligibility for the visa.

If you are troubled by any particular concern or question, you can also ask the same on our Immigration Forum.

As we mentioned in our previous blog, there are many changes that the Australian Government has introduced to the Visa Rules. This has major effect on the Visa Subclasses 457, 186 (Employer Nomination Scheme), and 187 (Regional Scheme Migration Sponsor). We penned down the changes that were announced in April, July this year and those that are expected to be announced in December, 2017 and March, 2018.

We have been getting a lot of questions related to the changes and how it will affect the individuals who are already holding or are planning to apply for either one of these three visas. Here, we answer those frequently asked questions.

What will happen to the 457 visa holders who are completing their 2 years after March 2018?

Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has not yet issued any statement regarding that. As soon as we have any information from the Department of Home Affairs, we would provide the update.

I am on 457 visa and want to change my employer. Can I do that?

Yes, it is possible. You must ensure that the transition between sponsoring employers is smooth or you could risk breaching your visa conditions. When changing employer your new employer must be an approved sponsor and they must nominate your occupation. Until this nomination is approved, you must not commence work with your new sponsor. If you do begin your new job prior to the paperwork being finalised, your visa could be cancelled and this is a breach of your 457 visa conditions. The new sponsor may need to prove that the position is a genuine requirement for their business and that they are offering a ‘market rate’ salary. They may also need to show labour market testing and, depending on your passport, you may need to sit the IELTS English test.

My 457 visa will expire in April 2018 so can I apply for PR with previous rules or are the new rules applicable?

People holding 457 who will complete their 2 years before March 2018 are unaffected by the changes and can apply for the ENS as long as they complete their 2 years before March 2018.

What about the new SOL for 2017-18 for 189 Visa? Have they released? What about accountants, will they remove this occupation?

Yes, the new SOL for 2017-18 for 189 Visa has been released and Accounting is in MLTSSL.

If I hold 457 Visa, what happens after the period of stay gets over?

If you complete 2 years before March 2018 then you can still apply for the Australian PR. For current 457 holders who will complete their 2 years after March 2018, the Immigration Department of Australia has not updated the information regarding the criteria.

What happens to the applicants who have lodged their 457 visas just before the changes have been introduced?

Currently it takes around 4-6 months for 457 visa application process. You can get the 457 granted for 2 years if your occupation falls in the skilled list but if it is on the STSOL then it doesn’t lead to PR.

I’m currently a 457 visa holder for 2 years, and now I want to apply for PR before March 2018, do I need IELTS to apply for PR?

Yes, you will require IELTS 6 bands to be able to apply for PR from July 2017 onwards.

I am on 457 Visa and it expires after July 2017. Will I be eligible to apply for PR?

As per the current rules you can apply for 186 transition stream (TRT), if you complete the 2 years on 457 Visa before March 2018. But if you do so after March 2018, there will be new requirement which will be you would have to complete 3 years with your employers. Then, you will not be eligible to apply for that stream.

My 457 Visa will expire in 2018. So, will the new rules be applicable to me?

If your visa expires after March 2018 then new rules will apply to you.

Do I need 3 years’ experience before applying for 457 or after?

If you apply for 457 or RSMS visa before the Mar 2018 then it is not mandatory to have work experience in the particular occupation. But if you apply after March 2018, you will require 2 years of experience and if you want to apply for RSMS visa, you need to have minimum of 3 years of exp.

I am on 457 Visa and my occupation is still on the MLTSSL list. Am I still eligible to apply for PR?

If you complete your two years before March 2018 and your occupation is still on MLTSSL then yes, you are eligible to apply for PR under ENS transition stream.

Hope we have been able to answer your concerns related to the 457, ENS & RSMS Visas. If you have any further questions or doubts, you can feel free to contact our team.

Aussizz Group have always strived to provide best solution for any problems related to the Australian Visa. We are delighted to have assisted so many clients and helped fulfil their overseas dreams.

The recent announcements back to back by the Department of Home Affairs have created a lot of confusion amongst the potential applicants of migration and temporary visa for Australia.

Here, we highlight the changes that came into effect and are anticipated in 2017, the new skilled occupation lists, and how the changes would affect you. Note the major changes in 457 Visa, Employer Nomination Scheme visa (ENS) and Regional Skilled Migration Sponsor Visa (RSMS). Also find the answers for the several questions that might concern you!

Recent changes in the month of April, 2017 regarding 457 Visa

• People holding 457 visa are unaffected by the changes and can apply for the ENS as long as they complete their 2 years before March 2018.
• Introduction of additional requirements (caveats) to be met to apply for different occupations on both the list.

For Example: for a Beauty Salon manger occupation, the business must have minimum 5 employees (part-time & full-time combined). For a Hair dresser occupation you must have a minimum of 2 years’ experience.

Major Changes as per the announcement on July 1, 2017

Skilled Occupation lists (MLTSSL & STSOL) are updated. Department of Home Affairs will be assessing and updating it every 6 months.

If occupation falls on MLTSSL then you will still be able to apply for ENS but if it falls under STSOL, there will not be any PR options for you.

If you are an existing 457 visa holder and want to apply for ENS Visa:

• Mandatory IELTS with minimum score of 6.0 bands each. (previously there was an exemption that was if your employer offered higher package then it is exempted i. e high income earners)

If you have already applied for 457 visa and it is not granted yet:

• Application after 1 July 2017 will have to undergo mandatory skill assessment which will depend on the country of your residence and the occupation you apply for.
• Compulsory submission of police clearance certificate (PCC) from home country or country where you have stayed for last 3 months.
• Training benchmark will be applicable.

Changes that are expected to be in effect from December 2017 (i.e re-assessment after 6 months)

• Department of Home Affairs would ask for TFN (Tax File Number) to be submitted along with the application.
• Department of Home Affairs would be publishing the results for all the sponsors who has not met the requirements in the past, have been blacklisted and upon investigation have not complied with the sponsorship requirements. The list will have the names of the businesses with the reason of the ban mentioned.
• If you are currently on the 457 visa, you may be eligible to apply for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa.

Again in March 2018, the Department of Home Affairs is expected to announce the following important changes.

For 457 Visa

• 457 Visa will continue till Mar 2018 only.
• From Mar 2018, the 457 visa will be replaced by TSS (Temporary Skill shortage Visa) with 2 streams: Short Term (2 years) and Medium to Long Term (4 years)
• Increase in the fee structure of visa application: Current charges for 457 Visa is AUD 1060. From Mar’18 it will be AUD 1150 for short term. For medium term the fee will be AUD2400.
• For 457 Visa, as long as you are completing your 2 years before Mar 2018, you should be able to apply for the ENS visa.
• For the STSOL occupation, there will only be one more chance for the renewal of the 457 visa. However, there will be no pathway under ENS scheme towards Permanent Residency (PR). For example: Profession of a cook falls under STSOL. You can get an extension for next two years but cannot apply for visa under ENS scheme.
• For the occupation listed on MLTSSL, there is still a pathway to Permanent Residency (PR).
• IF you want to apply for PR and your occupation list falls under STSOL then you might still be eligible to apply under General Skilled Migration (GSM).
• 457 Visa will continue till Mar 2018 only.

English Language Requirement:

• For the occupations on STSOL, the English language requirement is the same. i.e of 4.5 bands in each module and 5 bands overall or PTE equivalent.
• For occupations on MLTSSL, you require minimum 5 bands each for IELTS or PTE equivalent.

For TSS Visa, ENS Visa (Subclass 186) & RSMS Visa (Subclass 187)

• Not many options available for applications holding student visa.
• To apply for RSMS, you would require minimum 3 years of relevant full-time experience. Thus, it is better to apply for RSMS before Mar 2018 for the applicants who are eligible/ have the option to do so.
• Currently there is no minimum salary that is applicable for RSMS. For the 457 visa the min package is of AUD 53900. And this will be implemented for RSMS as well.
• Training requirements:
• The training benchmark criteria are currently applicable to only 457 visa and not RSMS visa. From Mar 2018, you have to meet the training requirements. It is not exactly a benchmark, but more like a training levy.
• To apply for TSS visa from Mar 2018, your employer or the business needs to meet the requirement of the training levy which basically means that they have to contribute to the Australian Training Fund so that it can be used to train other Australian PR and citizens. They have to contribute every year until their visa gets approved.
• To apply for TSS visa, if the business turnover is less than 10 million AUD, then the training levy will be AUD 1200 per applicant.
• To apply for TSS visa, if the turnover is more than 10 million AUD, then AUD 1800 will be the training levy.
• For ENS and RSMS, if it is a business with turnover of less than 10 million AUD, the training levy would be around AUD 3000 & for more than 10 million AUD it would be around AUD 5000. Applicable to the direct entry stream of both.

Age Criteria:

• There are lot of applicants on the 457 visa for like 10-15 years, and never applied for the ENS visa. The new changes from Mar 2018 will restrict the age as well. The max age is 45. For applicants aged above 45, you would not eligible to apply for ENS or RSMS.
• If you are under 50, you can apply for ENS and RSMS before Mar 2018.

Work Experience:

• If you want to apply for TSS visa, you must have min 2 years of experience. It does not have to be same as the occupation but should be highly relevant to it depending on the case. For RSMS, you would require 3 years’ min experience.

Now that you know about the changes, in our next blog, we have answered a few frequently asked questions related to Australia 457, ENS, RSMS Visas for you to make things more clear.

Aussizz Group believes in providing premium services to all the clients. Our education and immigration consultants believe in keeping you updated and provide you with better solutions to your problems.

Migrating to Australia to study or settle calls for an insane amount of time.

Collect the original supporting documents, make arrangements with the insurance companies, get a tax clearance, and file a proper visa application.

With so many daily obligations to fulfil, you don’t get enough time during the entire day to do everything, and you feel stretched to your limit.

What if you are told to hire an immigration consultant?

It will come as no surprise to get a resounding “NO” as an answer.

Most often when it comes to migrating abroad, people refrain themselves from getting assisted by an immigration or education consultant due to the fear of scams or fraudulent activities.

A lot of misconceptions about these consultants float around the market which in turn lead people to apply for visa on their own, making them fall prey to visa rejections.

So, this article is all about knowing what those misconceptions are, and subsequently busting them.

Myth 1: They’re Frauds. They’re Only Interested in Money!

We have the habit of compromising with the quality when it comes to saving money. If you disagree to it, then all we can say is, “Fess up!” Most of us do really do that! And the same applies to hiring an immigration consultant. We prefer to seek services from someone who sounds official but is not licensed. Australian immigration law is complex and the process to get a visa can be difficult to navigate. Hence, one needs to look for someone who is authorised and possesses an in-depth knowledge of immigration procedures.

But how to know that the representative is in fact an authorised one?

Well, a professional immigration consultant is always registered with the office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). It is an Australian Government authority that registers migration agents and regulates their profession.

Myth 2: Anyone can apply for a Visa! What’s so Special about Them?

Since a professional immigration consultant is registered with the relevant authority, the entire immigration process is administered with utter perfection. Such individuals are acquainted with all the laws and regulations of Australian immigration, hence there is no room for silly mistakes or delays in the processing of visa.

While the choice of hiring or not hiring such consultant is absolutely yours, we’d just like to add that applying for a visa without their help increases the chances of visa rejection. There are a number of factors that can make visa rejection come as easy as a piece of cake, like lack of awareness, complexity of the case, unwillingness to invest time in going through the instructions, and such; and you’d need no less than an expert on your side to make the chances of rejection go away!

Myth 3: They’re Just Glorified Career Counsellors!

A common myth about these agents is that they are just career counsellors, and nothing else. It’s true that you sometimes require a counsellor to help you decide your strongest areas, and subsequently the career choice that you should go for. While an Immigration and Education consultant would do that very thing – they wouldn’t do JUST that! There’s so much more to what they do.

First of all, your career choice would always reflect your core skills. Secondly, they’ll check with you whether you plan to further settle in Australia and get a PR or not. If you answer in a yes, then they will have to check for course options that suit your competencies, plus feature on the Australian PR course list for that year too. It’s not as easy as just going through a list and striking off your options; it’s about knowing which skills does Australia feel a shortage of that year, and checking whether your skillset fills in that gap or not.

It’s an extremely delicate process in the least, and you cannot afford to go wrong here. An immigration agent hence is your most valued asset when it comes to making your study abroad dream a reality.

Myth 4: They Only Care about Migration; Not Education!

This myth is a tenacious one.

But thank God it’s just a myth!

An ethical immigration consultant is never into stooping to any means to just sell his business. He cannot promote the engineering courses, which are highly aspired in Australia, to the students with Commerce or Arts background. Rather a good consultant would prefer to go for proficiency evaluation of the student and then send them to Australia to pursue the line of study that befits both their educational background as well as their future aspirations.

Myth 5: Got your Visa? You have no Need for Them Anymore!

Whether you are migrating as a skilled migrant or an International student, arriving to a new country introduces you to a plethora of things that are both essential for you to settle in, but unknown to you at that point. These things include accommodation arrangement, applying for a Tax File Number (TFN), opening a bank account, registering with Medicare, etc.  A reliable immigration consultant helps you handle all these things in an extremely hassle-free manner.

Studying or settling abroad is an opportunity that knocks only once. Exaggerating or accepting such myths only serve as a barricade that can inhibit you from getting the experience you deserve. A way to ensure that brilliant experience is by getting in touch with the team of leading education consultants and migration agents at Aussizz Group. With years of experience backing their knowledge and expertise in handling education and visa consulting, you can rest assured that your Australian dreams will definitely turn into reality!