Seasons Greetings to all our Visa Newsletter readers. Wishing you a relaxing and joyful Christmas and New Year break.
Australia – India Trade Agreement to commence
The Australia – India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AIECTA), will commence from 29 December 2022, following both countries completing their domestic legal arrangements to bring the agreement into operation.
In terms of the migration program, the AIECTA will provide:
- 1000 x Subclass 462 (first) Work and Holiday Program visas for 18-31 year old Indians per year;
- Indian students graduating with a First Class Honours bachelor degree in STEM fields (including ICT) will be eligible for an extra year on post study visas making three years in total.
It is expected that the AIECTA will be added to the list of countries for s140GB of the Migration Act for specified exemptions from labour market testing for specific occupations.
New Direction 100 – Order of consideration – Certain Skilled Visas
A new Ministerial Direction No 100 has been released. This Direction indicates the order of priority for certain visas:
For example in relation to considering nomination applications for s482 visas, priorities are as follows:
(a) Nomination applications in relation to a healthcare or teaching occupation
(b) Nomination applications lodged by an Approved sponsor with Accredited Status
(c) Nomination applications in relation to an occupation to be carried out in a designated regional area
(d) All other nomination applications
Priority should be given within Paragraph 7 to provisional or permanent visas that nominate applicants who are located outside Australia at the time the nomination application is made, and also those holding eligible passports which are Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China passport or a British National (Overseas) passports for the purpose of this Direction.
Please contact this office if you require further detail on this Ministerial Direction.
This newsletter only provides general information related to current migration matters. The information contained in this communication does not constitute specific migration advice, and should not be construed or relied on as such. Professional advice should be sought for the specifics of your situation prior to any action being taken. BD Welsh and Co disclaims any liability (including, without limitation, for any direct or indirect or consequential costs, loss or damage or loss of profits) arising from anything done or omitted to be done by any party in reliance, whether wholly or partially, on any of the information contained in this newsletter. Any party that relies on the information does so at its own risk. Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.