Partner Visa, 17 Apr 2019 NOT!!!

Just got a message from the Department of Home Affairs.

Partner visa changes requiring sponsorship approval before a visa application is lodged will NOT be commencing 17 April 2019.

The separate sponsorship framework will first be implemented in the new Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visa which will be open for sponsorship applications from 17 April 2019.

Further regulation and system changes are required for the new framework to apply to other visas. At this stage, there is no timeframe for expansion of the new sponsorship framework to other family visas and therefore the current arrangements for existing visas, including partner visas, will continue to operate from 17 April 2019.

Guess that the online system is not ready yet.

BUT... beware and be prepared...big changes are coming up.

Partner Visa; 17 Apr 2019

Partner Visa; from 17 Apr 2019, the sponsor needs to be an approved sponsor first in order for the sponsor to sponsor family members to Australia.

Hence, from 17 Apr 2019, Partner Visa (and all other family-related visas), the sponsor need to put in the application become an "approved sponsor" first.

The department is focusing on "domestic violence" and some other issues. Those who have the criminal record will be scrutinised and the waiting period will be lengthy. 

Beware and be prepared. Get your Australian police check certificate done ASAP.

To avoid any delay, you need to lodge your visa application before 17 Apr 2019.

DAMA Designated Area Migration Agreement, NT Northern Territory

DAMA Designated Area Migration Agreement
NT Northern Territory

DAMA NT Programme is a subclass 482 TSS, hence the visa application needs an employer to sponsor the visa applicant first.

In order for the employers to sponsor the overseas workers under the new arrangement; DAMA NT. The employers need to demonstrate that they have put in some effort to recruit the local workforce first, at least 4 months.

The evidence could be, but not limited:

- Evidence of all modes of advertising or recruitment efforts

- Detail of where the advertisement or recruitment took place

- Number of the applications received

- Number of applicants that were hired

- Reasons that candidates were not successful.

English language concession for subclass 482 TSS and subclass 186 ENS in The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA)

The Northern Territory Designated Area Migration Agreement (NT DAMA) provides eligible businesses access to occupations not available through the standard stream of the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482) visa. 

It also provides for English language and Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) concessions.

Subclass 482 TSS concession:

IELTS (general) overall 5.0
Speaking 4.0
Listening 4.0
Reading, no minimum
Writing, no minimum

Subclass 186 ENS concession:

IELTS (general) overall 5.0
Speaking 4.5
Listening 4.5
Reading, 4.5
Writing, 4.5

Please note that visa subclass 482 TSS or subclass 186 ENS (PR) are employer sponsored visa. Therefore, you need an employer to sponsor or nominate you for the position.