Invitation Round: 06 December 2021 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 01 invitations • ACT 190 nominations: 0 invitations • 190 minimum Matrix score: • ACT 491 nominations: 01 invitations • 491 minimum Matrix score: 75 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 0 invitations • ACT 190 nomination: 0 invitations • ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 54 invitations • ACT 190 nomination: 0invitations • 190 minimum Matrix score: • ACT 491 nomination: 54 invitations • 491 minimum Matrix score: 65 (Accountants: 95) Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nominations. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 15 December 2021.
The fourth revision of ANZSCO dated 29 November 2021 updates the classification structure of occupations relating to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, cyber security, naval shipbuilding, and the emerging occupations identified by the National Skills Commission, adding new occupations and unit groups and also removing some occupations and unit groups. ANZSCO version 2021 has made the following changes: 1. Occupations in the Combined List (MLTSSL, STSOL, and ROL) but Removed from the new ANZSCO version 2021 ANZSCO Name Assessing Authority Skill Level List New / Alternative Code 234112 Agricultural Scientist VETASSESS 1 MLTSSL 234114 311111 Agricultural Technician VETASSESS 2 ROL 311112 362212 Arborist TRA 3 STSOL 362511 121211 Cotton Grower VETASSESS 1 ROL 121511 121299 Crop Farmers nec VETASSESS 1 ROL 121212 Flower Grower VETASSESS 1 STSOL 121611 121213 Fruit or Nut Grower VETASSESS 1 ROL 121612 / 121613 362211 Gardener (General) TRA 3 STSOL 362611 121214 Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower / Field Crop Grower VETASSESS 1 ROL 121512 121215 Grape Grower VETASSESS 1 STSOL 121617 362311 Greenkeeper TRA 3 STSOL 262112 ICT Security Specialist ACS 1 MLTSSL 262116 223211 ICT Trainer ACS 1 STSOL 223311 362213 Landscape Gardener TRA 3 STSOL 362711 121411 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer VETASSESS 1 ROL 121216 Mixed Crop Farmer VETASSESS 1 ROL 121317 Mixed Livestock Farmer VETASSESS 1 ROL 121217 Sugar Cane Grower VETASSESS 1 ROL 121513 121221 Vegetable Grower (Aus) / Market Gardener (NZ) VETASSESS 1 STSOL 121616 234518 Zoologist VETASSESS 1 MLTSSL 234522 New Unit Groups in version 2021 8421 Aquaculture Workers 3625 Arboriculture Workers 1215 Broadacre Crop Growers 8422 Crop Farm Workers 8431 Forestry and Logging Workers 8432 Garden Labourers 3626 Gardeners (General) 1216 Horticultural Crop Growers 8433 Horticultural Nursery Assistants 3627 Landscape Gardeners and Irrigation Technicians 8423 Livestock Farm Workers 8424 Mixed Production Farm Workers 1217 Mixed Production Farmers 8439 Other Forestry and Garden Workers 8434 Pest Control Technicians 3631 Senior Aquaculture, Crop and Forestry Workers 3632 Senior Livestock Farm Workers 3633 Shearers and Wool Classers Unit Groups Removed 8411 Aquaculture Workers 8412 Crop Farm Workers 1212 Crop Farmers 8413 Forestry and Logging Workers 8414 Garden and Nursery Labourers 3622 Gardeners 2232 ICT Trainers 8415 Livestock Farm Workers 8416 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Workers 1214 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmers 8419 Other Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers 3612 Shearers New Occupation in Version 2021 ANZSCO Name 311112 Agricultural and Agritech Technician 234114 Agricultural Research Scientist 234115 Agronomist 311113 Animal Husbandry Technician 234116 Aquaculture or Fisheries Scientist 311114 Aquaculture or Fisheries Technician 363111 Aquaculture Supervisor 842111 Aquaculture Worker 362511 Arborist 842311 Beef Cattle Farm Worker 842411 Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker 121711 Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farmer 121599 Broadacre Crop Growers nec 842312 Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker 225114 Content Creator (Marketing) 842211 Cotton Farm Worker 121511 Cotton Grower 842299 Crop Farm Workers nec 262114 Cyber Governance Risk and Compliance Specialist 262115 Cyber Security Advice and Assessment Specialist 262116 Cyber Security Analyst 262117 Cyber Security Architect 261315 Cyber Security Engineer 262118 Cyber Security Operations Coordinator 842313 Dairy Cattle Farm Worker 261316 Devops Engineer 225115 Digital Marketing Analyst 234521 Entomologist 363112 Fishing Leading Hand 121611 Flower Grower 843999 Forestry and Garden Workers nec 363113 Forestry Operations Supervisor 843111 Forestry Worker 842212 Fruit Farm Worker 121612 Fruit Grower 842213 Fruit Picker 843211 Garden Labourer 362611 Gardener (General) 842214 Grain, Oilseed, Pulse and Pasture Farm Worker (Aus) / Field Farm Worker (NZ) 121512 Grain, Oilseed, Pulse or Pasture Grower / Field Crop Grower 121699 Horticultural Crop Growers nec 843311 Horticultural Nursery Assistant 363114 Horticultural Supervisor or Specialist 843911 Hunter-Trapper 843912 Irrigation Assistant 311115 Irrigation Designer 362712 Irrigation Technician 362711 Landscape Gardener 842399 Livestock Farm Workers nec 842314 Livestock Husbandry Worker 843112 Logging Assistant 121323 Mixed Cattle and Sheep Farmer 842499 Mixed Production Farm Workers nec 121799 Mixed Production Farmers nec 842215 Mushroom Picker 842216 Nut Farm Worker 121613 Nut Grower 312914 Other Draftsperson 261317 Penetration Tester 843411 Pest Control Technician 842315 Piggery Farm Worker 842316 Poultry Farm Worker 311314 Primary Products Quality Assurance Officer 121614 Production Nursery Grower 234612 Respiratory Scientist 311217 Respiratory Technician 363199 Senior Aquaculture, Crop and Forestry Workers nec 363211 Senior Beef Cattle Station Worker 363115 Senior Broadacre Crop and Livestock Farm Worker 363116 Senior Broadacre Crop Farm Worker 363212 Senior Cattle and Sheep Farm Worker 363213 Senior Dairy Cattle Farm Worker 363299 Senior Livestock Farm Workers nec 363214 Senior Piggery Stockperson 363215 Senior Sheep Farm Worker 363311 Shearer 842317 Sheep Farm Worker 362312 Sports Turf Manager 362313 Sports Turf Trades Worker 842318 Stablehand 842217 Sugar Cane Farm Worker 121513 Sugar Cane Grower 361116 Track Rider 843113 Tree Faller 362512 Tree Worker 121615 Turf Grower 261113 User Experience Designer (ICT) 842218 Vegetable Farm Worker (Aus) / Market Garden Worker (NZ) 121616 Vegetable Grower (Aus) / Market Gardener (NZ) 842221 Vegetable Picker 363117 Vineyard Supervisor 842222 Vineyard Worker 121617 Wine Grape Grower 363312 Wool Classer 842321 Wool Handler 234522 Zoologist Occupations Removed and New/Alternative Code ANZSCO Name New / Alternative code 234112 Agricultural Scientist 234114 311111 Agricultural Technician 311112 841111 Aquaculture Worker 842111 362212 Arborist 362511 841511 Beef Cattle Farm Worker 842311 121211 Cotton Grower 121511 841299 Crop Farm Workers nec 842299 121299 Crop Farmers nec 841512 Dairy Cattle Farm Worker 842313 841999 Farm, Forestry and Garden Workers nec 121212 Flower Grower 121611 841311 Forestry Worker 843111 841211 Fruit or Nut Farm Worker 842212 / 842216 121213 Fruit or Nut Grower 121612 / 121613 841212 Fruit or Nut Picker 842213 841411 Garden Labourer 843211 362211 Gardener (General) 362611 841213 Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Farm Worker (Aus) / Field Crop Farm Worker (NZ) 121214 Grain, Oilseed or Pasture Grower / Field Crop Grower 121512 121215 Grape Grower 121617 362311 Greenkeeper 841412 Horticultural Nursery Assistant 843311 841911 Hunter-Trapper 843911 262112 ICT Security Specialist 262116 223211 ICT Trainer 223311 362213 Landscape Gardener 362711 841599 Livestock Farm Workers nec 841312 Logging Assistant 843112 841611 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farm Worker 842399 121411 Mixed Crop and Livestock Farmer 121216 Mixed Crop Farmer 841513 Mixed Livestock Farm Worker 121317 Mixed Livestock Farmer
The Prime Minister of Australia, on the basis of medical advice by the Chief Medical Officer of Australia, has announced to pause further easing of border restrictions, until 15 December to better understand the Omicron Variant. The decision to temporarily halt the reopening of Australia to international skilled and student cohorts, as well as humanitarian, working holidaymakers, and provisional family visa holders from 1 December until 15 December also include travelers from Japan and the Republic of Korea. The following announcement is made by the Australian government: No entry in Australia for anyone who is not a citizen or permanent resident of Australia, or their immediate family including parents of citizens, and who have been in African countries (South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, Malawi, and Mozambique), where the Omicron variant has been detected and spread within the past 14 days. Immediate supervised quarantine for 14 days subject to jurisdictional arrangements for Australian citizens and permanent residents, immediate family members including parents arriving from these African countries. Immediate isolation and testing for COVID-19 for everyone who has already arrived in Australia and who has been in any of the eight countries within the past 14 days and following jurisdictional quarantine requirements which will include quarantine for 14 days from the time of departure from Southern Africa. These restrictions are also applicable to international students and skilled migrants, arriving from the safe travel zones established with New Zealand and Singapore who have been in any of the eight countries within the past 14 days. (Seychelles has been removed from the list of countries of concern) This necessary and temporary pause will provide time to Australia to better understand and discuss the Omicron variant, to enable Australia to take sensible and responsive evidence-based action, led by medical experts.
The Minister for Home Affairs has announced changes and concessions relating to Skilled visa holders to allow them to stay in Australia and continue working in businesses facing critical shortages, particularly in health, hospitality, and the regions. The Minister also announced concessions for visitor visas holders and concessions for Temporary Graduate visa holders to ensure Australia remains a priority destination for international students. Skilled Visa Holders Extension of Skilled Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 489, 491 and 494) Improved permanent residency pathway for existing SC 482 visa holders in the short term stream and legacy SC 457 holders who can no longer meet the age requirement Skilled Regional Provisional visa holders overseas can enter Australia from 1 December 2021 and will be eligible for a visa extension. Visitor Visas Nil VAC for a further six months, for new visitor visa applicants offshore where their visa expired or will expire between 1 Jan 2022 and 30 June 2022. Temporary Graduate Visas Temporary Graduate subclass 485 visa holders who have been unable to travel to Australia as a result of COVID-19 international border restrictions will be able to apply for a replacement visa. Increase in the length of stay for subclass 485 visa holders in Masters by Coursework and Vocation Educational and Training (VET) streams. Extension of existing measure for recognition of time spent offshore by students and temporary graduates studying online to be counted towards the requirement of qualifying for a Temporary Graduate subclass 482 visa. To know more, click here.
The Minister for Home Affairs Alex Hawke has announced that from 1 January 2022 Switzerland will be the 45th partner country for Australia’s Working Holiday Maker Program and also the Australians can travel to Switzerland without a visa. This announcement will make a significant contribution to the Australian economy by offering young people aged between 18-30 years to apply one of the two visas- Working Holiday Subclass 417 visa or Work and Holiday Subclass 462 visa, and to support themselves during their stay with short-term employment supporting Australia’s key industries and regional communities,. To know more, click here.
Migration (VAC refunds for certain Prospective Marriage visas) Amendment Instrument (LIN 21/071) 2021 specifies two new conditions under subsection 5(4A) and subsection 5(7) in which the first installment of a VAC for a Prospective Marriage visa may be refunded: If the visa was in effect on 10 September 2021 and the visa holder entered Australia during that time but was unable to marry their sponsor before the visa ceased because of restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic and a request for refund has been made, on or before 31 December 2022, after the visa has ceased to be in effect. If the visa was in effect on 15 September 2021, the visa holder was outside Australia on 15 September 2021 and did not enter Australia after 15 September 2021 as a holder of that visa and a refund is requested on or before 31 December 2022, after the visa ceased to be in effect because the visa holder had requested the Minister to cancel the visa in accordance with paragraph 2.43(1)(g) or (h) of the Regulations. The Compilation is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 29 November 2021 and commenced on 29 October 2021. It is currently in force. To access the Compilation, click here.
Invitation Round: 29 November 2021 Matrix nominating Small Business Owners: 02 invitations ACT 190 nominations: 02 invitations 190 minimum Matrix score:85 ACT 491 nominations: 0 invitations 491 minimum Matrix score: 457 visa / 482 visa holders: 01 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 01 invitations ACT 491 nomination: 0 invitations Matrix nominating Critical Skill occupations: 105 invitations ACT 190 nomination: 49invitations 190 minimum Matrix score: 100 (Accountants: 110) ACT 491 nomination: 56 invitations 491 minimum Matrix score: 65 (Accountants: 95) Invitations were not issued if the applicants have an active application in the system or have previously received ACT nominations. The next Canberra Matrix invitation round will be held before 8 December 2021.
The fourth revision of ANZSCO updates the classification structure of occupations relating to agriculture, forestry, and fisheries, cyber security, naval shipbuilding, and the emerging occupations identified by the National Skills Commission. The Australian Bureau of Statistics has introduced these updates for the Australian labour market only, and not for the New Zealand labour market. In addition to updating this classification, this revision contains a summarised classification and concordances to the previous revision. To know more, click here.
Migration (Priority consideration for certain Visitor (Class FA) visa applications) Instrument (LIN 21/074) 2021, dated 22 November 2021, specifies the requirements to be met by an applicant to make a request of priority consideration of a valid application for a Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in the Tourist stream or the Business Visitor stream to the Minister. The following requirements must be met for a priority consideration request by an applicant of Visitor (Class FA) visa to the Minister: The applicant must have applied for Subclass 600 (Visitor) visa in the Tourist stream or the Business Visitor stream The applicant must be the holder of one of the valid passports (passports issued by the People’s Republic of China, Republic of India, or the United Arab Emirates) The applicant must be located in the country that issued the passport when the visa application and request for priority consideration are made The applicant must make the request using form 1419 (Internet) as an internet application through ImmiAccount. The Instrument is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 25 November 2021 and commenced on 26 November 2021. It is currently in force. To access the Instrument, click here.
Migration Amendment (Protecting Migrant Workers) Bill 2021 amends the Migration Act 1958 to introduce new offenses and related civil penalty provisions for unscrupulous employers, labour hire intermediaries, and other persons who exploit migrant workers in a number of ways, including through wage underpayment, pressure to work beyond visa restrictions and withholding of passports. The purpose of the bill is to combat migrant worker exploitation by supporting visa program integrity and ensuring that the migrant workers in Australia are properly protected and empowered to address unlawful conduct in the workplace. It has inserted new sections 245AAA and 245AAB to establish new criminal offenses and related civil penalty provisions that apply where a person who is an employer, labour hire intermediary and any other person in the employment chain coerce, or exert undue influence or undue pressure on, a non-citizen to accept or agree to a work arrangement: involving a breach of a work-related condition applying to the non-citizen; or to satisfy a work-related visa requirement; or to avoid an adverse effect on the non-citizen’s immigration status. The Bill is registered on the Federal Register of Legislation on 24 November 2021 and commences on the day after the act receives royal assent. To know more, click here.