SC 485 – Provisional skills assessment concessions
Prior to the recent election, previous Minister Hawke’s announced on 25 November 2021 that as a concession during the COVID-19 pandemic, the stay period on the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Graduate Work Stream visa will increase from 18 to 24 months and application requirements would be streamlined by removing the requirement for graduates to nominate an occupation from the skills occupation list.
It has been confirmed that since applicants are no longer required to nominate an occupation, the requirement for a skills assessment becomes unecessary. These changes will come into effect from 1 July 2022.
Readers should note that the provisional skills assessment removal is only a temporary concession. There is currently no information in relation to whether this concession will be extended beyond 2022/2023, and could depend on the status of the pandemic in beyond 2023.
State and Territory Updates
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT has announced that it will be changing the review date of its Critical Skills List from a quarterly to annual basis. The Critical Skills List was last updated on 12 January 2022 and applies to all Canberra Matrix applications irrespective of the date of submission.
Western Australia
WA has announced the following2022-23 program changes:
– The 2022-23 updated Western Australian State nomination criteria is now available.
– Commencing in the 2022-23 program year, potential applicants who are residing overseas are now eligible to be considered for Western Australia (WA) State nomination. Invitations to apply for WA State nomination will be based on a ranking system that gives preference to applicants currently residing in WA, followed by those residing in Australia and finally those residing overseas.
– The 2022-23 program year will additionally give candidates the opportunity to access an expanded, more extensive, Graduate occupation list under the Graduate stream, with over 300 occupations now becoming available.
The expanded Graduate occupation list will become available in 2022-23 and is detailed in the new 2022-23 WA State nomination – combined occupation list.
Invitations to apply for WA State nomination under the new Graduate Occupation list will not commence until the 2022-23 program year.
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.