Horticultural Industry Labour Agreement announced
The government has announced a new Horticultural Industry Labour Agreement to commence 1 January 2020.
From 1 January 2020, horticultural employers will be able to submit an application to the Department of Home Affairs to sponsor a migrant worker to come to Australia and fill one of the 31 approved occupations listed under the Labour Agreement.
This new agreement allows horticulture growers to access a skilled and semi-skilled workforce with occupations ranging from Skills Levels 1 – 5 and include some trade occupations.
There are minimum wage levels and English language concessions available and a pathway to permanent residency, as well as an age concession.
Some of the available occupations include Horticulture Farm Manager, Quality Assurance Manager, Agricultural Technician, Nurseryperson, Truck Driver and Irrigationist.
Business and Skilled Migration Queensland (BSMQ)- 491 (Independent Regional Visa) Small Business Owners pathway now open
BSMQ has recently announced a pathway for small business owners in regional Queensland to apply for the 491 visa.
BSMQ’s criteria can be summarised as follows:
- have an occupation on the relevant occupation list
- have prior business experience or qualifications to successfully run the business (or have previously been involved in a family-run business)
- be on a visa that allows full-time work and operation of the business for a minimum of 35 hours per week
- have purchased an existing business in regional Queensland (Note: this pathway is not available for start-ups or home based businesses)
- paid a minimum of $100,000 for the business
- have 100% ownership of the business (partnerships or joint ventures are not eligible)
- be trading in the business for 6 months prior to application
- employ one (1) employee who is an Australian resident working a minimum of 20 hours per week
- provide evidence of sufficient settlement funds.
Please note that the above criteria, are in addition to the standard Department of Home Affairs criteria for this visa.
ACT – Subclasses 491 and 190 occupation lists and guidelines released
Please note that the following occupations have been added to the occupations list for the Australian Capital Territory in relation to the above visas:
- Engineers: Engineering manager, industrial, mechanical, production, electrical and electronic.
- Construction Project Manager.
- Public Relations Manager
- Counsellors: career, family, drug and school.
- Physicist ** (with caveat)
- Natural and Physical Science Professionals not elsewhere classified ** (with caveat)
The details of the nomination criteria can be found on the ACT government website:
http://www.canberrayourfuture.com.au/portal/migrating/article/skilled-visa-act-nomination/
Adrian Felton
Migration Consultant (MARN:0105680)
Please contact us directly if you have any questions regarding the above information.
Please Note: Many of the comments in this publication are general in nature and anyone intending to apply the information to practical circumstances should seek professional advice to independently verify their interpretation and the information’s applicability to their particular circumstances.