Do not risk it! To order training for Training Benchmark B and get an Auditable Training Plan for FREE, click here. Please note that: training Benchmarks still apply to all sc#457 Sponsors who have or had sc457 visa holders working for them. the #Skilling Australia Fund (#SAF) Levy applies to only new nominations made after 12th August 2018 on sc#482, sc#186 and sc#187 visas. Sc457 sponsor companies who wish to nominate workers on sc482 and sc186/ 187 visas will need to provide evidence of having met their #Training Benchmark obligations. Please also note that sc482 Sponsors who had nominated workers after the implementation of sc482 but before the implementation of SAF on 12th August 2018 will also need to meet their Training Benchmark obligations. At McKkr’s we may help if your clients are short of meeting Training Benchmark obligations. We are not only providing FREE #Auditable Training Plans for the current periods and any missed periods but also FREE Submission to support the nomination applications for sc186 and sc187 visas. In relation to Training Benchmarks, there have been several questions from RMAs, and our response to these questions are: Q1: For sc457 sponsors, do they need to continue fulfilling the Training Benchmark obligations if they are still employing 457 visa holders. What if the 457 visa holder has lodged the 186TRT after 12 August 2018. How long do they need to continue this obligation? Response: Until the sc186 visa is granted, because until then the worker would be working while holding sc457 visa or a bridging visa. Please note that SAF levy paid for sc186/ 187 visa is a one-off levy for sc186/ 187 visa and has nothing to do with sc457 sponsorship obligations. Q2: Is it sufficient if the sc457 sponsors fulfil the Training Benchmark obligations for the completed sponsorship years prior to 12 August 2018 and discontinued this obligation? Response: Training Benchmark obligations will continue to apply as long as the sponsors have at least one sc457 visa holder working for them for whom the SAF levy has not been paid either for 482 or 186/ 187 visas. Q3: For those 186-TRT lodged, with sponsors only fulfilling the Training Benchmark obligations for the completed sponsorship years prior to 12 August 2018, they would have missed out the Training Benchmark obligations for the current sponsorship year. How could this be remedied? Response: At McKkr’s, we are helping RMAs in preparing a tailored submission to the Department of Home Affairs, FOR FREE, if we are the provider of Training Benchmark B for a sponsor OR if we are hired now to write Auditable Training Plan and deliver training for the current or missed year(s). For any further queries, please feel free to cal us on 02-4626 1002. Do not forget that McKkr’s training delivery is valid for Training Benchmark B and McKkr’s is a leading Training Benchmark B provider in the country having delivered thousands of trainings under Training Benchmark B with 100% success.
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The following information has been published on the #Business #Skills #Migration Queensland (#BSMQ) website. A common question from prospective Queensland business migrants and their migration agents is ‘How do I write a business proposal?’ The most important thing to keep in mind is that the applicant MUST use the BSMQ business proposal template. BSMQ does not accept a business proposal written by a professional in place of this template (although, if there is a professional business plan available, it can be attached as a secondary document). If you need help in preparing business proposals, please contact us. Another very important point is that the business proposal must be tailored to the individual’s business plans in Queensland. A business proposal needs to be specific rather than broad. Don’t spend too much time talking about an applicant’s business history (a paragraph is fine), the industry in general, market trends, risk analysis etc. Doing this but not providing specific details about the business will lead to the proposal being rejected. The proposed business also needs to demonstrate how it will benefit the Queensland economy. Some of the basic points BSMQ assess in approving a business proposal include: Will the business create local jobs? Does the business bring innovative products and technology to Queensland? Does the migrant provide global links to overseas networks? Does the business benefit regional development? BSMQ is also often asked ‘What business should I start?’ and ‘What are the priority areas for Queensland?’. The simple answer is: If your business idea meets our criteria and you have the market research to show it is a viable business for the area, then Queensland is open to any proposals! Queensland priority industries traditionally include: mining and resources agribusiness tourism education infrastructure. BSMQ would also like to encourage more applications focused on knowledge-based industries, including: health (eg medical devices/equipment, biotechnology, aged care) IT-related new technologies (eg software development, gaming solutions, new apps). Regarding the #188 #Business #Innovation #and #Investment #(Provisional) #visa – Business Innovation Stream, where the minimum level of investment is $200,000, small retail franchise businesses or cafes/restaurants are not preferred for the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas. However, these businesses may be considered for #regional #areas. Property development is another area that will not be considered for the 188A visa. Property development will only be considered under the Business Talent (Permanent) visa (subclass #132) – Significant Business History stream due to the larger scale of investment needed and potentially longer timeframes to generate turnover. Finally, it is important to do realistic and comprehensive market research before writing the business proposal. Unrealistic applications will not succeed. For example, BSMQ has received applications in the past that focus on building apartments near the beach in Toowoomba (where there is no beach) and a proposal that focused on setting up a garment factory in Brisbane hiring 200 people with an investment of $500,000 (not at all possible due to labour and rent costs in Brisbane). Comprehensive market research ensures that all bases have been covered and you can properly assess whether the business is viable in Queensland.
The labour market in Australia is strong and constantly evolving, with the number of workers in most industries expected to grow over the next five years. There are likely to be around 886,000 more jobs by 2023. The top industries for expected jobs growth over the next five years are in: Health Care and Social Assistance Construction Education and Training Professional, Scientific and Technical Services Marketing and Advertising Hospitality (food preparation) Almost two in every three newly created jobs will come from these industries. These are not the only industries that are likely to do well in the coming years as increased demand for jobs in one industry will create demand in other related industries. Reasons for expected jobs growth include: An ageing population and shifting demographics and reliance on Australia’s National Disability Insurance Scheme. Growing demand for health therapy, health diagnostics, midwifery and nursing and home-care based services. Capital investment in infrastructure. Evolving computer system design and changing priorities in the management and consulting services sectors. Increased involvement in sport at all levels. Resilience to increasing job automation. Strong demand for qualified food technicians and food delivery services. Strong domestic and international tourism. A changing emphasis on continuous learning such as adult and community education, employment educational support and private tutoring. Growing demand for childcare and child education.
Beware of social media posts and websites promoting the acquisition of International English Language Testing System (IELTS) certification without taking the examination. A certified level of English is mandatory for most Australian visas. Under IELTS, testing is mandatory. A visa applicant is required to obtain the minimum score, depending on visa criteria, in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking) in a single sitting. Fraudsters are targeting potential migrants and other visa applicants, primarily in Asia and the Middle East, on social media and dedicated websites and advising that they can acquire IELTS certification without taking the mandatory examination. The scam usually involves the sale of fraudulent IELTS result certificates. This practice is particularly concerning with the growing number of international students required to meet English language requirements in order to be granted visas to undertake study in Australia. Fortunately, the number of people falling for this scam is low at this point in time as IELTS are aware of the practice and are taking security measures accordingly. Note that fraudulent documents being offered for sale cannot be verified on the official online IELTS portal.
Recent changes to the WHM visa program to support regional and rural communities. From 1 July 2019, WHM visa holders who carry out 6 months of specified work in regional areas while on their second Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa or Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa may be eligible to apply for a third visa. Eligible types of work and regional areas will correspond with the requirements for the second visa. Note: The 6 months work must all be carried out on or after 1 July 2019, so a successful application cannot be lodged before January 2020.
The following update on the South Australian DAMAs from Immigration South Australia has been published. The South Australian Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) provides a framework for local employers to sponsor overseas workers in skilled and semi-skilled positions which are experiencing skills and labour shortages. Concessions such as English language, salary, skills and experience and age to facilitate pathways to permanent residency are offered in a range of selected positions. Approved occupations and concessions The list of approved occupations, and range of concessions that are eligible for sponsorship under the SA DAMA, falls under two agreements: Adelaide Innovation and Technology Agreement There are 60 occupations on the Adelaide Innovation and Technology Agreement which supports the Adelaide City Deal. These occupations provide employers in the defence, space, and advanced manufacturing and technology industries with the ability to access and retain a highly-skilled workforce. Concessions offered on this Agreement address specific challenges including, attracting a skilled workforce by offering pathways for permanent residency in South Australia. Following the required period of time on a temporary skilled visa talented individuals may be enabled to meet permanent residency by accessing the age concession when applying for the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa, subject to the occupation and concession being on the DAMA occupation list at time of application. South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement There are 114 occupations on the South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement which provide employers in key regional growth industries of agribusiness, health and aged care, hospitality and tourism, mining and construction sectors with the ability to access and retain a skilled workforce. Concessions for occupations vary and include: Up to 10% reduction of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), which is set nationally English language concessions at IELTS (or equivalent in another accepted English language test) 4.5 with no less than 4.0 in any of the four test components Skills assessment concession Age concession to enable pathways to permanent residency The South Australian Designated Area Migration Agreement also provides eligible businesses access to 4 occupations not listed in ANZSCO, this are identified under a placeholder code as ‘ANZSCO 070499’. Information relating to the application process and how to apply will be available from 1 July 2019.
The following update on the Queensland skilled migration programme has been published on the Business Skills Migration Queensland website. Closure of BSMQ skilled program The Queensland skilled state nomination program has now closed 10 May 2018 at 12pm. Expressions of interest (EOI’s) submitted after this date and time will not be considered. BSMQ will continue to process those EOI’s that have previously been lodged from 18 April – 10 May 2019 12pm until quota has been reached. Please do not contact us regarding the progress of your EOI as this will slow down the processing team from finalising applications. If you have missed out this time around, the Queensland business and skilled state nomination programs will re-open again with new quotas and new criteria for 2019-20 financial year in early July 2019. At this time of re-opening you will need to submit a NEW EOI as we will not be selecting any previously submitted or updated EOIs prior to this date.
Processing times for Partner visa applications are increasing. The Australian Government has allocated 39,799 places for partner visas in the financial year 2019-20, the same allocation as the previous financial year. For the 2018-19 financial year, there is an identified backlog of over 80,000 partner visa applications for overseas-born people who are married to or intend to marry Australian citizens or permanent residents. As a result of static allocations and a large backlog, processing times are expected to increase with most visa applications now taking two years or more to decide.
The following announcement has appeared on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal website. The AAT is currently seeking feedback from applicants, representatives and other parties who were involved in a case that was finalised by the AAT between 1 December 2018 and 30 March 2019. If you are part of this group you may receive an email or SMS invitation to complete a short and anonymous online survey. The survey will give the AAT important information about users’ opinions on the overall review process and their experience when dealing with the AAT. The AAT will use the information to identify areas where we can make improvements. All survey responses will be treated as confidential. Key survey results will be included in our 2018-19 Annual Report. The survey closes 30 May 2019.