Happy New Year! We hope you’ve had a good start to 2018. We are back from our break and ready for an interesting and exciting year ahead! We kick off our blog for 2018 with an overview of the newest changes in Immigration.
I) Immigration Department’s change of name and structure
Most of you would have already noticed that the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) changed its name to Department of Home Affairs (DOHA). The establishment of the Home Affairs Portfolio brings together Australia’s federal law enforcement, national and transport security, criminal justice, emergency management, multicultural affairs and immigration and border protection related functions and agencies, working together to keep Australia safe.
All information previously found at www.border.gov.au can now be found at www.homeaffairs.gov.au
The Department of Home Affairs, remains responsible for Immigration and Border Protection, and the following functions:
• National security and law enforcement policy
• Emergency management, including crisis management and disaster recovery
• Countering terrorism policy and coordination
• Cyber security policy and coordination
• Countering foreign interference
• Critical infrastructure protection
• Multicultural affairs
• Countering violent extremism programs
• Transport Security
II) Occupation List changes – 17 January 2018
Since 1 July 2017 there two major lists: Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and Short-term Skilled Occupations List (STSOL). The Immigration Department advised that the occupation lists will be reviewed and updated every 6 months.
Please find below a summary of the changes effective from 17 January 2018:
REMOVED FROM LISTS (2)
-Building Associate
-Hair or Beauty Salon Manager
ADDED TO STSOL (3)
-Property Manager
-Psychotherapist
-Real Estate Representative
STSOL to MLTSSL (2)
-Horse Breeder
-Management Consultant
MLTSSL to STSOL (0)
NONE
Caveat Changes on the following (6) occupations:
NEW CAVEATS for:
1) Accommodation and Hospitality Managers
• excludes positions that are not located in regional Australia
2) Management Accountant
Excludes any of the following positions:
• clerical, book keeper and accounting clerk positions
• positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
• positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees
AMENDMENTS TO CAVEATS for:
3) Massage Therapist
Excludes any of the following positions:
• are non full-time
• are not based in a therapeutic setting
• involve the provision of non-medical relaxation massage; or
• are in a retail setting.
4) Recruitment Consultant
– Base salary requirement raised to $90,000
– Excludes any of the following positions:
• positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
• positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees.
5) Supply and Distribution Manager
Annual turnover requirement does not apply where international trade obligations apply
6) Taxation Accountant
– Size of business requirements added
– Excludes any of the following positions:
• clerical, book keeper and accounting clerk positions
• positions in businesses that have an annual turnover of less than AUD$1M
• positions in businesses that have fewer than five employees.
2018 will be bringing many changes in Australia’s Immigration and Visa System. The next major changes will be introduced in March 2018. We recommend to lodge your visa application as soon as possible. Please contact us if you require our assistance. You can book a consultation, and/or use our service to have your visa application completed by a Registered Migration Agent. We are happy to help and work with both, employers and individual clients. We look forward to hearing from you!!
