482/TSS Designated Area Migration Agreement: Far North Queensland open for business

482/TSS Designated Area Migration Agreement: Far North Queensland open for business

The remaining Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) announced prior to the election, for Far North Queensland, is now accepting applications. DAMAs come under the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa program to fill critical skill shortages in specific regional areas. This DAMA has access to permanent visas for most occupations and includes three occupations not found in the ANZSCO.

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Skilled Migration Occupation List review commenced…major changes ahead?

Skilled Migration Occupation List review commenced…major changes ahead?

Yesterday the Department of Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business commenced a review of the skilled migration occupation lists, due to be completed in March 2020. This will be the fourth review by the department since the skilled occupations lists were deemed unresponsive on 18 April 2017, the day it was announced that Subclass 457 – Temporary Worked (Skilled) visa would be abolished. Will there be any substantial changes arising from this review?

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Australia’s special relationships: NZ character woes; employer sponsored concessions for the UK?

Australia’s special relationships: NZ character woes; employer sponsored concessions for the UK?

New Zealand and the United Kingdom have a close bond with Australia. Over the weekend the media reported dissatisfaction from NZ over its citizens being deported. Meanwhile the UK, in negotiating a Free Trade Agreement, are requesting concessions that might see amendments to the Subclass 482 – Temporary Skill Shortage visa or perhaps even a different visa subclass altogether.

This article clarifies why New Zealanders are over-represented in visa cancellations due to character concerns. It turns out that having a special visa might not be so special after all.

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DAMA occupation lists for South Australia and Warrnambool published

DAMA occupation lists for South Australia and Warrnambool published

The occupation lists for South Australia’s two Designated Area Migration Agreements (DAMAs) and the occupation list for Warrnambool’s (DAMA) were recently published along with which occupations will have access to age, skill, salary, and English language concessions and which will have pathway to a permanent visa.

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