Join us for a picnic live in Blenheim Palace, ancestral home and birthplace of Winston Churchill
Today 7th October marked the official launch of the Edith Cowan University / LH Global co-authored report: “Western Australia’s place in the Chinese Tourism Boom”.
LH Global’s CEO Mr James Clarke together with LH Global Australia’s Manager for Tourism Mr Youteng Wang participated at the launch this morning at ECU’s Joondalup campus, which was attended by the Hon Paul Papalia MLA Minister for Tourism.
“As a China-specialist inbound tour operator, my firm LH Global truly believes that WA possesses all the resources required to be truly outstanding in its engagement with the Chinese Outbound Tourism Market (COTM)”, Mr Clarke said.
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Edith Cowan University Joondalup Campus
From left to right:
Mr Youteng Wang, LH Global Tours Tourism Manager
Prof Sam Huang, Edith Cowan University
Hon Paul Papalia MLA, Minister for Tourism
Mr James Clarke, LH Global CEO
Mr Jun Wen, Edith Cowan University
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“The report is virtually silent on the once in a hundred year pandemic that has besieged us, and rather focusses on underlying fundamentals that need work in order for WA to make the most out of the China boom, and in order for our Chinese guests to get the most out of their journey with us here”.
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Hon Paul Papalia MLA Minister for Tourism
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However, speaking to the impact of COVID-19, Mr Clarke said “The deck of cards has been spilled. Traditional market share and positions of WA and it’s competitor states is all up for grabs. What we thought impossible for WA in capturing more COTM market share 12 months ago can now be made possible. It is time for WA to dream big in tourism when it comes to its engagement with China.”
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Mr Clarke Presents from industry on the findings of the report
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The report is now available for public distribution, and can be downloaded here.
Enquiries can be made by emailing marketing@lhglobal.co or by calling 08 6381 3218.
When people in Australia hear the word ‘migrant’, it is often associated with some negative connotation. “They’re taking our jobs”, or “they’re not assimilating” or something of the like. A larger conversation has been circling for some years now around temporary work visas and their impact on the national economy; but little is said of the billions of dollars of investment that a smaller group of migrants are bringing into our country, nor the generation of employment opportunities they bring.
These are Australia’s investor-migrants, and they are critical to Australia’s economy.
The Australian investor migration program (known as the ‘Business Innovation and Investment Program, or “BIIP”) makes up a small part of the Australian annual migration intake. 6,862 visa places were allocated to the BIIP in the last migration year, representing only 6.3% of the “skill stream” of Australia’s migration program; but it is worth billions of dollars to Australia’s economy.
According to a recent consultation paper by the Department of Home Affairs, in the last 8 years since it’s introduction, the subclass 188a and 188c visa alone have brought over $13.1bn of foreign investment into Australia. The subclass 132 Business Talent visa also brings between $200m – $300m per year in investment into Australia. Put together, the program has easily brought more than $15bn AUD into the economy in the last 8 years.
What’s more, in their application process, applicants for subclass 188a and subclass 132a visas are often required to show evidence of ‘job generation’ for Australian citizens or permanent residents as a part of their business plans. That is to say, that some government bodies mandate that the visa holder’s investments must have a direct correlation to creating jobs in Australia.
This program represents an important part of Australia’s FDI economy, bringing not only capital but also stimulating growth through creating local jobs and acting as a driver for modernisation.
It is for this reason that the recent decision to extend travel restriction exemptions to 188 visa holders is welcomed. These people have often given up their businesses in their home countries, sold their assets and brought their families to Australia where they hope to invest and create new fortunes.
For some time the Migration Institute of Australia (the MIA) made representation to the Department of Home Affairs on the issue, and it is great to see this change. 188 visa holders are now able to make plans to re-enter Australia without having to apply for a travel exemption. People are reminded, however, that some states / territories have their own border closures in place, and we encourage you to contact us before heading to the airport!
Information is available on the Department of Home Affairs website here.
Join us for a picnic live in Blenheim Palace, ancestral home and birthplace of Winston Churchill
Let us take you on a guided tour of downtown Chicago’s finest apartments
Planes may be grounded but that’s no reason for you to not experience the grandeur of Western Australia. We will bring you on a road trip from Perth to Kalbarri National Park, taking in some of WA’s most celebrated natural attractions along the way.
Legislative Instrument – F2020L00409 -LIN 20/122: COVID-19 Pandemic event for Subclass 408 (Temporary Activity) visa and visa application charge for Temporary Activity (Class GG) visa) Instrument 2020
This Instrument specifies the COVID-19 pandemic as declared by the World Health Organization on 11 March 2020, as an event for paragraph 408.229(b) of Schedule 2 to the Regulations.
The Instrument also specifies the class of persons for the purposes of paragraph 408.229(c) of Schedule 2 and subparagraph 1237(2)(a)(i) of Schedule 1 to the Regulations.
The purpose of the instrument is to provide a pathway for certain former and current holders of temporary visas to lawfully remain in Australia and who would otherwise be required to depart Australia who, but for the COVID-19 pandemic, are unable to leave Australia.
Explanatory statement
From 12pm AEST Thursday 9 April 2020, Victoria’s subclass 132 and 188 visa nomination program will be paused for the remainder of 2019-20. This means that no new nomination applications will be accepted.
We will continue processing those received prior to this date, in accordance with our published processing times. New applications will be accepted in the 2020-21 financial year.
Any inquiries please contact us at marketing@lhglobal.co
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As published in the media, the COVID-19 travel restrictions have been extended to travellers from Iran.
The Department has updated its travel restriction advice on its website.
In addition to the restrictions on travel from mainland China, travel from Iran has also been included in the restriction from today 1 March 2020.
Foreign nationals (excluding permanent residents of Australia) who are in Iran on or after 1 March 2020, will not be allowed to enter Australia for 14 days, from the time they have left or transited through Iran.
The restrictions on travellers arriving from any part of mainland China were extended earlier this week until 7 March 2020.
The travel restrictions do not apply to the following:
Immediate family members who do not hold a permanent visa need to contact the Department of Home Affairs before travelling using Australian Immigration Enquiry Form.
Limited exemptions are available for Year 11 and 12 students who remain in China due to Australian travel restrictions (apart from those from Hubei Province) have been offered a strict pathway to resume their studies in recognition of the importance of the final two years of school. Further information is available on the process for this on the Department of Education, Skills and Employment website.
All travellers arriving from these countries will be required to self-isolate for 14 days from the time they left.
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The Minster for Foreign Affairs and the Health Minister has announced that the COVID-19 travel ban will extend until Saturday 29 February 2020, but also supports the right of Australian citizens and their immediate families to be exempt from the travel ban and to be allowed to return home.
The Prime Minister has clearly articulated that the spouses and partners of Australian citizens and permanent residents will be allowed to travel to and enter Australia.
However, the MIA holds evidence that the Australian Border Force is not complying with the Prime Minister’s directive and that spouses and partners of Australians are having their visas cancelled and prevented from returning to this country, as well as being banned from applying for another visa for three years.
No clear processes for allowing the partners and families of Australian citizens and permanent residents to return to Australia appear to have been communicated to the airlines. Additionally, the Department of Home Affairs has not provided the migration profession with any information on the processes that will be employed to restore cancelled visas.
Cancellations of visas pose very serious consequences to the former visa holders. Under law to have the cancellation revoked, the former visa holder must apply within 28 days of the cancellation and demonstrate that there are compelling and compassionate grounds for the revocation.
Given the large numbers of visas being cancelled, whatever process is employed, it could take from weeks to months for all cases to be resolved. If the original visa expires before it is restored, those former visa holders will have to apply for new visas.
Impact of travel ban on applicants for 491 / 190 nomination
The ACT Government has provided the following information for MIA members.
All applicants for ACT nomination must meet the eligibility criteria at date of Matrix submission. However, if an applicant’s return to Canberra is delayed due to the COVID-19 travel ban, they:
Example:
A 491 applicant worked for 9 weeks in Canberra and went back to China for 2 weeks (on paid annual leave). Due to the travel ban, they are forced to take unpaid leave before returning to Canberra and resuming employment:
The MIA congratulates the ACT Government on taking this common sense approach to this issue and hopes that other States and Territories will follow its lead.
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NSW State Nominated Subclass 491 announcement
Subclass 491
NSW Business and Skilled Migration has today released information on its processes for NSW State Nominated Subclass 491 visas.
Applications will open in mid-January 2020.
Notably, the NSW Government will handle the entire process, RDAs in NSW will not be participating in the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491).
RDA committees will continue to support regional employers in NSW and their skill needs through responsibilities as a Regional Certifying Body (RCB) in the new Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
NSW nomination requirements and application procedures can be found on the NSW Live and Work in NSW site.
Eligible occupations and postcodes designated as regional can be found on the Department of Home Affairs website.
NSW State Nominated Subclass 190 Update
Subclass 190
Requirements for state nomination for the Subclass 190 program are also available on the NSW Live & Work in NSW site.
Commencing January 2020, NSW will generally not invite candidates to apply for nomination by NSW for a Skilled Nominated Visa (190) if they are currently residing in another Australian state or territory.
NSW undertakes ‘invitation rounds’ where selected applicants are invited to apply for NSW nomination. There are no set dates on when an invitation round will occur.
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ACT – Subclasses 491 and 190 occupation lists and guidelines released
The ACT 491 / 190 nomination guidelines for January 2020 and the ACT Occupation List for January 2020 are now live on the Canberra Your Future website
Canberra Matrix
All Canberra Matrix submitted on or before 31 December are valid for six months and will be assessed against the 1 July 2019 nomination criteria.
The ACT Subclasses 491 / 190 nomination guidelines for January 2020 will apply to all Matrix submitted on or after 1 January 2020.
ACT OCCUPATION LIST
The ACT Occupation List: January 2020 will apply to all Matrix submitted on or after 1 January 2019.
Two occupations have closed: Urban and Regional Planner and Early Childhood Teacher.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
Please read the ACT 491 /190 nomination guidelines carefully to ensure that your clients are eligible to complete the Canberra Matrix and evidence any Matrix claims at date of Matrix submission. The ACT would very much like to see a zero refusal rate for all our agents in 2020 instead of the current 18%.
Please also note, in 2020, any overseas applicants must be genuine overseas applicants; e,g. not in Australia on a visitor visa with pending 482 or 489 application etc. See overseas applicant criteria: ‘You must be overseas at date of Matrix submission and, if ranked and invited to apply for ACT nomination, you must be overseas at date of application for ACT nomination.’
The Graduate stream of the State Nominated Migration Program provides a skilled migration pathway for international students graduating from university in Western Australia. From December 2019, the Graduate stream has been extended to include VET graduates who complete a qualification in Western Australia at Certificate III level or above.
The Graduate stream is also more accessible for international students:
studies in higher education, VET (Certificate III level and above) and/or English language courses for overseas students (ELICOS) studies all count towards the requirement to study for two years in Western Australia.
Graduates need to demonstrate either six months’ work experience in Australia OR a six month employment contract in Western Australia, but not both. Previously international students needed to have 12 months of work experience plus a job offer for 12 months.
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Since the new Skilled Regional Visa (SRV) has been officially commenced on 16/11/2019, Australian States Nomination applications have gradually reopened and started accepting applications for sc491 visa.
As of 2nd Dec, four States have opened Nomination application, namely:
Victoria – open
Applications for Victorian nomination under the Subclass 491 Skilled Work Regional visa program opened on 18 November 2019. It is free to lodge a Victorian nomination application.
Western Australia – open
The Timeline of Transitional Arrangements on the Living in Western Australia website give 21 November 2019 as the start date for the Subclass 489 invitations
Tasmania – open
All state nominated applications opened on 16 November 2019 including Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Work visas. Applications will incur a $220 fee including GST.
Queensland – open
The Queensland State Nomination Skilled Program has opened today, 25 November 2019 for the Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Work and Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visas. However, due to too many applications, the State application for the 190 visa was closed temporarily again on November 26th, only opened one day; 491 nomination is still open. And Queensland has adjusted its occupation list, removing many popular occupations.
Please do not submit your EOI if your occupation has been removed from the relevant list as it will not be picked up.
State nomination applications for the Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Work and Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visas will be open first week in December 2019.
Applications for Subclass 491 Skilled Regional Work and Subclass 190 Skilled Nominated visas will reopen on 9 December 2019. A nomination fee will be applied from that date.
The ACT is defined as regional for skilled migration purpose from 16 November 2019. While potential applicants can complete the Home Affairs SkillSelect EOI from this date, the Subclass 491 Canberra Matrix can only be submitted from 1 January 2020. Eligibility criteria will be available from 28 November 2019.
No announcement at this time.
Applications for each state are limited and competition is fierce. Please Make sure you have all documents ready to upload before submitting an EOI. If you want to update information mid-way, it will change the queue order and significantly slow down processing time. If you are not sure about the new visa requirement and do not want to miss the opportunity, it is best to find a professional migration agent to assist in completing the application.
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The Migration program is designed to achieve a range of economic and social outcomes. The program is set annually, with the total places available capped at a ceiling of 160,000 for 2019-20. The total program is broken down into the following streams:
2019-20 Migration program planning levels![]() ![]() |
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Legislative Instrument F2019L01402 – LIN 19/243: Migration (Specification of occupations and Assessing Authorities Amendment (LIN 19/243: Subclass 491 Visas) Instrument 2019
The purpose of the instrument is to amend LIN 19/051 to remove any references to the Subclass 489 and to substitute these with the Subclass 491, amongst the other amendments listed below:
Occupation Lists
The occupation list for the Subclass 491 is contained in LIN 19/051.
As per Part 2 subsection 7 of the Instrument, the relevant occupation list for the subclass 491 in the family nominated stream is the MLTSSL.
As per Part 2 subsection 7 of the instrument, the relevant occupation lists for the subclass 491 in the State or Territory nominated stream are the MLTSSL, STSOL and ROL.
From 16 November 2019, the applicant can claim 10 partner points for their spouse or de facto under Schedule 6D.11 where the partner is:
In regards to partner points for a skilled occupation for a Subclass 491 in the family-sponsored stream, the primary applicant’s spouse or de facto partner must have an occupation on the MLTSSL.
In regards to partner points for a skilled occupation for a Subclass 491 in the State or Territory stream, the primary applicant’s spouse or de facto partner can have an occupation on the MLTSSL, STSOL or ROL.
The transitional provisions that are contained in LIN 19/051 remain the same.
LIN 19/243 adds the following paragraph into LIN 19/051:
The amendments made by Part 1 of Schedule 1 to LIN 19/243:
(a) apply in relation to an application for a Subclass 491 (Skilled Work Regional (Provisional)) visa made on or after 16 November 2019; and
(b) do not apply in relation to an application for a Subclass 489 (Skilled—Regional (Provisional)) visa made before 16 November 2019.
The instrument makes minor amendments to the assessing authorities for childcare center manager and podiatrist see below:
This instrument commences on 16 November 2019.
Legislative Instrument- F2019L01459- LIN 19/296: Arrangements for Applications for Bridging Visas) Amendment Instrument 2019
This Instrument specifies the requirements for bridging visas and amends LIN 19/186 to include the Subclasses 491 and 494 visas.
This Instrument specifies Forms 491D and 494V (Internet) as approved forms for Bridging A and Bridging C visa applications.
This Instrument specifies approved form 494V for Bridging A and Bridging C visa applications for applicants who have been authorized to lodge paper applications for specified reasons such as issues with ImmiAccount.
Following MIA representation to the Department regarding RCBs closing RSMS DE certification services for Subclass 187 visas, the Department contacted the RCBs to notify that there was no legislative requirement preventing RCBs certifying RSMS DE nomination applications after 16 November 2019.
The Department’s RCB NewsFlash sent to the RCBs on 22 October 2019 is available here. Any MIA members having difficulty with any RCB on this issue are invited to contact the MIA Professional Support team for assistance.
Due to high demand and quota being met for the following occupations, they will be removed from the QSOL’s detailed below, when the skilled program re-opens in the coming weeks. The entire skilled program will re-open for both subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas. The exact date of the skilled program re-opening is yet to be confirmed.
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Global Talent – Independent Program
Minister Coleman announced the launch of the Global Talent – Independent Program on 5 Nov 2019. According to the media release highly skilled migrants wo are likely to earn more than $149,000 pa in Australia and who work in one of seven key industry sectors will be able to obtain fast-tracked permanent residency.
The industry sectors are AgTech, FinTech, MedTech, Cyber Security, Energy and Mining, Space and Advanced Manufacturing, and Quantum Information/Advanced Digital/ Data Science and ICT.
The release also reveals that Global Talent Officers from the Department of Home Affairs have already been deployed in Berlin, Washington DC, Singapore, Shanghai, Santiago, Dubai, and New Delhi.
5000 places have been allocated to this scheme in the 2019-20 migration program.
Thailand – Work and Holiday visa numbers to be increased
Minister Coleman has announced that the number of places available for Work and Holiday visas for Thai citizens will be increased from 500 to 2,000.
The Work and Holiday visa requires first-time Thai applicants to hold or be studying towards tertiary qualifications and to speak a functional level of English.
SA state nomination temporarily closed
Whit the new introduction of the new skilled regional visas on the 16 November 2019, Immigration SA will be temporarily closing the state nomination 190 application system from 11 am on 15 November 0291 and will reopen early December.
If you have commenced a state nomination application for the 190 visas, you will need to submit and pay for the application prior to the system being closed.
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Legislative Instrument F2019L01403- LIN 19/219: Occupations for Subclass 494 Visas Instrument 2019 specifies eligible occupations and ANZCO codes for the SC 494 visa. The occupation lists for the SC 494 are comprised of the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), and the Regional Occupation List (ROL). There are a total of 650 occupations available for the SC 494 with 216 occupations available on the MLTSSL and 434 occupations available on the ROL.
Subclass 494- Employer-sponsored stream Exemptions
Age exemptions
For the purposes of subclause 494.223(2) applicants are not required to be under 45 for the subclass 494 in the Employer-Sponsored stream if they are:
Skills and Employment History exemptions
For the purposes of 494.224(7), applicants for the subclass 494 in the employer-sponsored stream are exempt from skills assessment requirements under 494.224(2) to (5) if they are:
For the purposes of 494.225(2) 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 as mentioned in 494.225(1)(a) if they are:
Legislative Instrument – F2019N00081 – Health Insurance (Eligible persons and Holders of Skilled Work Visa (subclass 491 and 494)) Order 2019, confirms 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.
Members should be aware that the individual must be the holder of one of these visas to be eligible, Medicare coverage is not granted to applicants who have only lodged applications for these subclasses. Members should advise clients to maintain health insurance if that is a condition of their current visa until their Subclass 494 or 491 is granted.
Legislative Instrument F2019L01406- LIN 19/218: Temporary visa classes for eligibility for English classes Instrument 2019 specifies two new temporary visa classes to ensure those holders of the new Subclass 491 and Subclass 494 who do not have functional English are eligible for approved 510 hrs. English courses through the Australian Government Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP).
The Instrument commences on 16 November 2019
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Student visas – increase to the financial capacity
Subclass 500 Student Visa:
The primary applicant must provide evidence of sufficient available funds to:
Subclass 590 Student Guardian Visa:
A primary Student Guardian must provide evidence of sufficient funds to:
Perth regional status reinstated
Perth’s status as a regional city will be reinstated from 16 November 2019.
This will allow international students to study in Perth and become eligible for an additional year on a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa.
Gold Coast
The media is also reporting that the Gold Coast will also be declared regional for this purpose. As yet there have been no official announcements.
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