Month: May 2017

We have received recent notification that the 3-year skill or work experience requirement for ENS/RSMS will come into effect in MARCH 2018 not JULY 2017.

WHAT CHANGES WILL BE HAPPENING IN JULY 2017?

1. Applicants going through the Temporary Transitional Stream will be required to have “competent” English 6 (IELTS) or 50-57 (PTE). This remains the same for Direct Entry for ENS and RSMS.
2. The Maximum age limit for direct entry visas is 45
3. UPDATED Skilled occupation list
4. All 457 Applicants aged 17 and over will require a Penal Clearance for countries in which they have lived in for a significant period.
5. There will no longer be an exemption for skilled migrants with a salary higher than $96,400.
6. Changes to Training Benchmarks (TO BE ANNOUNCED)
7. Expanding Mandatory Skill Assessments

MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ANSWERED

1. DOES THE 19^TH APRIL 2017 CHANGES IMPACT THE RSMS VISA APPLICATIONS?

No – this is because you can nominate any occupation that is ANZSCO skill level 1 to 3 for this programme (i.e. you are not restricted to the MLTSSL and the STSOL at this stage).

2. CAN I STILL APPLY FOR ENS (PERMANENT RESIDENCY) IF MY OCCUPATION IS ON THE STSOL BUT NOT ON THE MTSSL?

Yes – currently, if your occupation is on the STSOL or an eligible occupation on the MLTSSL you can apply for the ENS Direct Entry stream.

Current holders of subclass 457 visas continue to be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the ENS visa. Access to the TRT stream is not based on the occupation lists and is therefore unaffected by these changes.

3. DOES THE CHANGES IMPACT ME IF I AM ALREADY ON A 457 VISA?

More information concerning the legislative details of future changes will be available closer to their implementation date. This will include information about transitional arrangements for visa applicants and visa holders.

4. DOES THE CHANGES IMPACT MY APPLICATION FOR THE ENS/RSMS IF MY APPLICATION IS ALREADY LODGED?

No, the changes do not impact already lodged permanent visa applications.

(ALL RESPONSES ABOVE HAVE COME DIRECTLY FROM DIBP)

WHAT CHANGES WILL BE HAPPENING IN JULY 2017

1. Applicants going through the Temporary Transitional Stream will be required to have “competent” English 6 (IELTS) or 50-57 (PTE). This remains the same for Direct Entry for ENS and RSMS.
2. The Maximum age limit for direct entry visas is 45
3. You must have three (3) years of skill and work experience for direct entry applicants.
4. UPDATED Skilled occupation list
5. All 457 Applicants aged 17 and over will require a Penal Clearance for countries in which they have lived in for a significant period.
6. There will no longer be an exemption for skilled migrants with a salary higher than $96,400.
7. Changes to Training Benchmarks (TO BE ANNOUNCED)
8. Expanding Mandatory Skill Assessments

CHANGES IN MARCH 2018 – UPDATING SOON