Australian Immigration Update for December 2013

By Mark Webster Wednesday, 18 December 2013

489 Subclass has been temporarily suspended

We were advised that Immigration received large number of applications and that there will be a limit of 35 invitations for subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) (Sponsored) visas. This change will come into effect from the 16 December 2013 invitation round. It should be available again in 2014.
This change should not have any impact on state or territory government nominations for subclass 489 Skilled Regional (Provisional) (State or territory nominated) visas and nominations for these visas can continue.

Student visa expiry date in March 2014

If you are currently on a student visa, you may want to check your current visa expiry date. Many international students have student visas expiring in March 2014.
We would strongly recommend to plan ahead your possible visa options as soon as possible, for instance 485 Graduate Temporary, 457 or skilled migration.

ACS Skills Assessment changes and closing date

New ACS criteria from 15 January 2014 require international students to complete 1 year of relevant work experience in their nominated occupation or to complete an ACS Professional Year Program, to apply for permanent skilled visas.
The ACS closing date is 20th of December 2013. We would strongly recommend lodging your skills assessment prior 20th of December to avoid their changes.

485 Graduate Work or Post Study Work, which one is for me?

The 485 visa is a good option if you wish to work after completion of your course. Generally you will need a positive skills assessment and IELTS result prior to lodgement of your EOI. You will not be a holder of your bridging visa until you actually lodged your visa application and as your skills assessment may take 12+ weeks to come through, you may consider to apply for your 485 temporary visa.
Currently Graduate Skilled Visas (TR or subclass 485) has 2 streams - graduate work and post study work visa:

Consider subclass 190 if you do not have enough points

If you are currently on 55 points you may be eligible for a state sponsorship, which would give you extra 5 points.
190 is a permanent visa, with full work, travel and study rights.
You must obtain a pass mark of at least 60 to lodge an EOI application for this visa, but must be sponsored by a state or territory government in this case, you are expected to settle in the state and answer surveys for a period of 2 years after grant of the visa.
To review your visa eligibility please feel free to book an appointment with us.

Acacia closing dates!

Please note that the Acacia office will close on Friday 20th December 2013 and open again on Monday 6th January 2014 for the Christmas and New Year break.
We would like to wish you all to have a wonderful holiday season and prosperous new year!