Occupations for Subclass 494 visas
The Government has released a new Legislative Instrument that lists the eligible occupations and ANZSCO codes for the new 494 visa. These lists for the SC 494 are made up of the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). There is a total of 650 occupations available for the s494 with 216 occupations available on the MLTSSL and 434 occupations available on the ROL.
There are conditions imposed on the occupations of general practitioner, resident medical officer and medical practitioners (nec).
The instrument commences on 16 November 2019, when the visa itself commences.
Gold Coast confirmed as a regional area | Extra 2000 regional places
The Government has confirmed in a joint press release that the Gold Coast will be included in the list of locations designated as regional on 16 November 2019.
An extra 2,000 skilled regional visa places have also been announced, increasing the regional cap from 23,000 to 25,000.
Exemptions from Skill, Age and English Language Requirements for s186, s187 and s494
A new Legislative Instrument specifies the exemptions in relation to age, skills, employment history or English language requirements for the s186, s187 and s494.
Changes from the previous instrument for s186 and s187.
English language exemption- The exemption to English for a person that has completed at least 5 years of full-time study in a secondary or higher education institution where all tuition was delivered in English will be removed as an exemption for the subclass 186 in the Temporary Residence Transition stream. From 16 November 2019 the exemption will only apply to subclass 187 in the Temporary Residence Transition Stream.
The remainder of the exemptions for skill, age and English remain the same.
Subclass 494- Employer sponsored stream Exemptions
Age exemptions
Applicants are not required to be under 45 for the subclass 494 in the Employer Sponsored stream if they are:
a) academic applicants
b) regional medical practitioner applicants
c) science applicants
d) Subclass s444/s461 workers
e) Subclass s457/s482 workers
Skills and Employment History exemptions
Applicants for the subclass 494 in the employer sponsored stream are exempt from skills assessment requirements under if they are:
a) academic applicants
b) s444/s461 workers
Applicants for the subclass 494 in the employer sponsored stream are exempt from having to be employed in the nominated occupation for at least 3 years on a full-time basis and at the level of skill required for the occupation if they are:
a) academic applicants;
b) s444/s461 workers
Application of the Instrument and Transitional provision-designated regional area
This instrument commences on 16 November 2019. The instrument applies to visa applications made on or after 16 November 2019.
Medicare eligibility for Skilled Regional Visa confirmed
A new Legislative Instrument (which commences on 16th November 2019) has confirmed that both Subclasses 494 and 491 visa holders will be eligible for Medicare. The Instrument specifies these visa holders as ‘eligible persons’ under the Health Insurance Act 1973.
Visa applicants should be aware of the fact that the individual must be the holder of one of these visas to be eligible, as Medicare coverage is not granted to an applicant who has only lodged an application for these visas. Applicants should remember that they need to maintain health insurance if that is a condition of their current visa, until their Subclass 494 or 491 is granted.
Global Talent – Independent Program launched
The Government has announced announced the launch of the Global Talent – Independent visa Program. According to accompanying the media release, highly skilled migrants who earn more than $AUD 149,000 a year in Australia, and who work in one of seven key industry sectors will be able to obtain fast tracked permanent residency.
The seven industry sectors that are eligible include are Agricultural Technology, Finance Technology, Medical Technology, Cyber Security, Energy and Mining, Space and Advanced Manufacturing, and Quantum Information/Advanced Digital/ Data Science and ICT.
The Government has also disclosed that ‘Global Talent Officers’ employed by Department of Home Affairs have already been located in Berlin, Washington DC, Singapore, Shanghai, Santiago, Dubai and New Delhi to promote this scheme.
5000 places have been allocated to this scheme in the 2019-20 migration program.
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.