The final settings of the Global Talent Independent Program has been launched. As part of the commitment to ensuring that businesses in Australia has access to the best and brightest talent to help grow a stronger economy, the Government allocated 5,000 permanent places for global talent in the 2019-20 Migration Program Year. Through the Global Talent Program, Australia is seeking skilled and specialised individuals who are at the top of their field in growth industries and who can provide opportunities for businesses, entrepreneurs and individuals to share innovative ideas, skills and experience. The program offers a permanent visa to live and work anywhere in Australia with applicants receiving a personalised service to guide them through the process.

NSW has announced the criteria for the Permanent Significant Investor Visa and the extension Significant Investor Visa. NSW nomination criteria for the entrepreneur visa are very competitive and support the aim of the NSW migration program to create jobs, boost productivity and generate genuine economic activity. 188C Significant Investor Visa (SIV) Program requirements: The applicant must make an investment of at least AUD 5 million in a “complying investment”. A “complying investment” for the purposes of the Significant Investor Visa must be made up of: At least $500,000 in venture capital and growth private equity funds which invest in start-ups and small private companies At least $1.5 million in approved managed funds investing in emerging companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange. A ‘balancing investment’ of up to $3 million in managed funds that may invest in a range of assets, including ASX-listed companies, Australian corporate bonds or notes, annuities and commercial real estate

The department of Home Affairs has made changes to the risk levels (assessment levels) for some countries. These changes are based on a balance of offshore refusals (both fraud-related and non-fraud related) and onshore immigration ‘trailing risks’: rate of visa cancellations, over stayers and subsequent protection visa applications. India, Nepal, and Pakistan are among the higher risk countries and Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Hungary, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa are now considered ‘low risk’ for an Australian Student visa. The department of Immigration uses a combined evidence level of the student’s education provider and country of citizenship to determine whether the student needs to provide evidence of financial and English language capacity with their student visa application. Evidence of financial capacity Sufficient funds to cover travel costs and 12 months of living and tuition fees and school costs for any school aged dependants, or Evidence that spouse or parents are willing to support and have an annual income of at least AUD 60,000 for single students or at least AUD 70,000 for students that are accompanied by family members An Acceptance Advice of Secondary Exchange Students form for secondary exchange students only A letter of support from Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Department of Defence. English language ability: Evidence that they have either obtained a satisfactory test score in an English language test that been approved by DHA or evidence of certain eligible studies in English Evidence that they: have obtained a certain test score in an English language test that the Department has approved (below table) have completed certain eligible studies in English, or fall into an exemption category Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, Hungary, Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, South Africa are now considered low risk and therefore do not need to demonstrate Financial ability and English unless the department specifically requests them.

The Department of Health has declared that holders of the new regional visas will be ‘treated as being an eligible person’ for the purposes of the Health Insurance Act. This means that migrants on the new Subclass 491 and 494 visas will now be able to apply for Medicare to cover their stay. Comparison to current visas The 491 replaces the 489 visa. Under the 489 visa, applicants had no access to Medicare which means they had to pay for their medical treatment. With the new announcement, 491 visa holders will be able to visit the doctor or go to hospital and have some or all of the expenses covered by Medicare. The current 482 program requires visa holders and their families to hold adequate health insurance for the duration of their visa. Only those from countries with reciprocal health care arrangements can access a Medicare card. However, the new 494 regional employer sponsored visa allows all holders access to a Medicare card.

As of 24 October 2019, the annual living costs, annual school costs, and minimum personal annual income for Subclass 500 or Subclass 590 will increase. The changes include: Living costs For a 12 month period, applicants must show: $21,041: main applicant $7,362: partner or spouse $3,152: for each dependent child $8,296: schooling costs for dependent children Income Requirement As an alternative to showing funds, you spouse or your parents can provide evidence of their taxable income in the 12 months prior to application. The minimum income required is as follows: $62,222: single applicant $72,592: applicant with dependents Evidence of Financial Capacity Acceptable evidence of financial capacity includes money deposit with a financial institution; loan with a financial institution; government loans scholarship or financial support. For income, evidence must be official Government documentation of personal income (i.e. Tax assessment notices) that has been issued in the 12 months immediately before the application is made.

In late October the Premier of Western Australia announced that the requirements for international student graduates to be nominated for a subclass 190 or a subclass 491 would be reduced along with adding trade occupation to their Graduate Occupation List so local graduates of VET courses can also apply. Further changes to the graduate stream are : Other changes to the graduate stream are:  Current Requirement New Requirement (December 2019) Study in WA At least 2 years study in WA at a WA university At least 2 years study in WA at one or more WA education providers studying ELICOS, VET at a registered training organisation or Higher Education providers Work experience Job Offer 12 months Australian work experience in nominated or closely related occupation And 12 months contract of employment in nominated or closely related occupation 6 months Australian work experience in the applicants nominated occupation on the Graduate Occupation List Or 6 month contract of employment in the applicants nominated occupation on the Graduate Occupation List  

Changes in subclass 491 and 494 regional visas has now been released, including details on age and skill exemptions, occupation lists, English language requirements, and the pas mark on the points test. This will take effect on 16 November 2019. New Scheme Will introduce two new temporary visas on 16 November, which both have a validity period of up to 5 years: Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass  494) visa Replacing the Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) and Skilled Regional (subclass 887) visa respectfully. Changes being made:  Priority processing for regional visa applications Expansion of regional areas More skilled migration points available to 491 visa applications Greater range of occupations for non-regional pathways Can apply for permanent residence without a second nomination stage through the 192 visa Only one Skilled Australians Fund Levy means lower cost for employers for 494 nomination Designated areas: Any part of Australia excluding Sydney, Brisbane, Gold Coast, Perth and Melbourne, and Newcastle, Wollongong and the NSW Central Coast. New Points System  New points system increases total number of points available for 491 visa, as well as all skilled migration visas, which provide new ways for applicants to earn points towards their score. They will receive: 15 points for nomination by eligible family member or by regional state or territory. 10 additional points for Masters or PhD in specific areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – STEM). 10 partner points, if applicant has a skilled partner who is: Under 45 years of age at time of application, Obtains a positive skill assessment in an occupation on the same eligible list of occupations, and Has ‘competent’ English. Alternatively, 10 points, if: Single and have no dependent applicants, or Have a partner who is a permanent resident or citizen. 5 points if they have a partner who: Is over 45 years of age, not working in a skilled occupation but can demonstrate Competent English.

Before applying for Australian Capital Territory (ACT) nomination of a Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa, you must complete the Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs) SKILLSELECT and meet the Home Affairs points test for a subclass 190 visa. You may express your interest in applying for ACT 190 nomination by completing the Canberra Matrix. If your Matrix score is ranked, and you are invited to apply for ACT 190 nomination you must provide supporting documents to evidence your eligibility and any Matrix score claimed at date of Matrix submission. The latest round results are as follows : Invitation date: 2 September 2019 Number of Invitations Issued: 111 Matrix score range: All Matrix submitted with 130 to 70 points

Just over 160,300 individuals were given a permanent visa in 2018-19, slightly down on last year when 162,417 were granted permanent residency. The annual migration cap is 190,000 but this year the Australian government processed around 162,417 applications, almost 30,000 fewer. Migration agents are of the view that the main reason for the decline is the long processing times, rather than lack of demand for the unallocated visas. The bulk of the places were filled by skilled workers, with 109,713 granted under the skilled stream, or about 70 per cent of the total intake. About 51,000 family and child visas were also granted – less than the number of parent and family visa applications waiting for assessment as of April. The government’s reduced cap on annual permanent migration to 160,000 comes into effect this financial year, as it tries to address concerns about traffic congestion and rising house prices in cities. At the same time as the number of permanent migrants fall, there’s been an increase in temporary skilled workers and international students.