Australia PR Visa pathway declared for Regional SC482 Visa Holders

The Department of Home Affairs has declared the Australia PR Visa pathway for Subclass 482 TSS Visa holders. This is in line with the earlier changes related to TSS Visa holders whose occupations were included in the STSOL List.

Eligible candidates seeking to migrate to Australia can utilize this opportunity. It is also applicable to immigration hopefuls seeking to apply for Australia PR Visa from India.

DHA has said that Subclass 482 Visa holders who stayed in Australia for a minimum of 1 year between February 1, 2020, and December 14 2021 will qualify for Subclass 186 ENS Visa. This is through the stream TRT - Temporary Resident Transition. Further, they must be legally employed while filing the application.

Australia PR Visa pathway declared for Regional SC482 Visa Holders

The concession has now been extended to Visa holders with sponsorship and whose occupations are included in the ROL - Regional Occupation List. These were earlier not eligible. Applicants are required to fulfill the rest of the eligibility requirements. It included having worked full-time in their occupation nominated for the employer for a minimum of 3 in the last 4 years as ROL Subclass 482 Visa holders.

The employer has to be qualified to sponsor them for the PR Visa. DHA has confirmed the current availability of this pathway for qualified Visa holders. Their occupations have to be included in the ROL. The details of the manner of implementation are yet to be published.

According to DHA, the pathway will be accessible for 24 months from July 1, 2022.

40% of overall immigration to regional Australia: RAI

The Regional Australia Institute has advised that the Government of Australia must aim at diverting 40% of the total overseas immigration to regional areas. It must be implemented from the next program year said the independent think tank.

Liz Ritchie the CEO of RAI said that the Population Statement for 2022 estimates that less than 17% of overall overseas immigration will be to regional Australia in 2022-2023. She added that regions in Australia deserve a much higher proportion of the total % of immigration to Australia.

The towns and cities in regional Australia are facing a scarcity of labor and skills and recorded 96,000 plus job openings by the end of 2022. The need is to collectively assess the processes and systems that support immigrants. This will help in increasing immigration to the regions said Ritchie.

The advisory comes amidst times when DHA has enhanced the processing times for select Regional Visa streams. However, it has decreased the processing times for some Independent Visa streams such as Subclass 189 Visa.

90% of regional immigration applications need 2 plus years

As per the official statistics, by December 31, 2022, the number of applications to be processed for Subclasses 887, 491 and 489 Visas were 52,428. It included 23, 247 chief applicants and 29, 181 secondary applicants.

Among these, 22, 569 applications were from Indian nationals for Subclasses 887, 491, and 489 Visas inclusive of chief applicants and secondary applicants. 90% of these applications need over 24 months for processing.

Currently, the processing times for Subclass 887 Visa are a maximum of 27 months and 30 months for Subclass 491 Visa applications. The Government of Australia has recruited additional staff for reducing processing delays. The maximum impacted Subclass 489 Visa has now been discontinued.

Nevertheless, for present Subclass 489 Visa applicants, the processing times have been updated to a maximum of 48 months by DHA. It is a significant increase in comparison with just 8 months in 2019.

As of now, Subclass 489 Visa has 3, 096 applications to be processed inclusive of both significant and secondary applicants. 1500 plus of these applications are from India.

Considerable backlog of Regional Visa applications

13,600 plus applications from Indian nationals are waiting for processing for immigration to regions in Australia through Subclass 491 Visa. Meanwhile, 7,300 plus applications are to be processed through Subclass 887 Visa.

Immigration Experts in India have said that several candidates are awaiting approval for their Australia Regional Visas which is unjust. Applicants of Subclass 491 Visa have to wait for more time in comparison with Subclasses 190 or 189 Visas. Further, they must also fulfill the criteria of working and residing in regions for another 3 years.

The Government of Australia has to make efforts for reducing the processing times for Regional Visas according to the Experts. This is something that is already implemented for Subclass 189 Visa, they add.

DHA recently decreased the processing times for Independent Subclass 189 Visa to a maximum of 3 months. However, for Subclasses 190 Visa, the processing time is a maximum of 15 months.

Nationwide Visas is the premier Immigration Consultancy in India for Australia PR Visa. If you wish to migrate to Australia contact our Immigration Experts today.

Overview of the Australia PR points calculator

 Understanding the Australia PR points calculator is quite crucial for candidates seeking skilled immigration to Australia. Obtaining the specified points for the chosen Subclass Visa is a major criterion for approval of a Permanent Residency application.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection uses the points-based system for assessing and ranking prospective immigrants to Australia. The allocation of points to applicants is based on several selection factors. These include among others their age, education, work experience, and English language proficiency.

Overview of the Australia PR points calculator

A score of at least 65 points is needed to qualify for filing an Australia PR Visa application. Securing 75 or higher points increase the chances of PR Visa approval.  

Age 

The immigration candidates receive diverse points based on their age. Overall, the allocation of points for the age factor is according to the specific age groups’ ability to contribute to the Australian economy.

Candidates in the group 32 to 25 years get the maximum points and those aged 45 years and above get the least points. You must note that there are other factors as well apart from age that award points to candidates. So if you get lesser points for the age factor, you must not get anxious.

24 to 18 years – 25 points

32 to 25 years – 30 points

39 to 33 years – 25 points

44 to 40 years – 15 points

45 years and above – 0 points

Proficiency in Language 

Language competency is a valuable factor when it comes to receiving points for Australia PR Visa. It is classified under 5 levels: Superior, Proficient, Competent, Vocational and Functional.

Every level of proficiency incurs diverse points. The higher your band scores in IELTS - International English Language Testing System, the more points that you get.

If you secure:

1. IELTS 8 bands, you will get 20 points, the maximum for the language factor
2. IELTS 7 bands, you will get 10 points
3. IELTS 6 bands or lesser, you will get 0 points

The language test scores that you submit must have been obtained in the past 36 months for being accepted.

Work Experience

Your work experience will also incur points under the Australia PR points calculator. The allocation of points varies based on the duration and destination where you have obtained the work experience.

Maximum points are allocated for lengthier work experience obtained in Australia. The last points are allocated for nil or little suitable work experience. You will have to offer formal proof of work experience along with your application. It is inclusive of salary slips, employment contracts, or letters of reference from your employer.

The allocation of points for skilled overseas workers is as follows:

• Less than 3 years of suitable work experience: 0 points
• Less than 5 years of suitable work experience: 5 points
• Less than 8 years of suitable work experience: 10 points
• 8 years of suitable work experience: 15 points

The allocation of points for work experience obtained in Australia is as follows:

• Less than 1 year of suitable work experience: 0 points
• 1 year of suitable work experience: 5 points
• 3 years of suitable work experience: 10 points
• 5 years of suitable work experience: 15 points
• 8 years of suitable work experience: 20 points

You can receive points for work experience only if it has been obtained in the past 10 years. The least eligibility criteria are that it must be for at least a part-time position or 20 hours weekly.

Australia PR points calculator

Education

The education level that you possess plays a vital role in the success of your Australia PR Visa application. The increase in the level of your education will correspondingly incur you increased points. You can also avail of additional points for having studied in Australia.

The allocation of points for education is as follows:

• Doctorate/Ph.D. Degree - 20 points
• Bachelor’s/Graduate Degree – 15 points
• Trade Qualification or Diploma in Australia – 10 points
• Certificate for Assessment of Skills - 10 points

Read More:- Australia PR points calculator for skilled immigration

Family and State Sponsorship

The implication of sponsorship is that chiefly an Australian citizen or the Government can assure that you will prove to be a good member of society in Australia.

You will receive 5 extra points if you have sponsorship from a territorial or state government in Australia. For sponsorship from a close family member (parent, child, de-facto partner, or spouse) you will get 10 extra points.

Your de-facto partner or spouse must also be included in the application for the PR Visa. They must also have been assessed as apt for immigration to Australia if you plan to sponsor them.

Nationwide Visas is the top Immigration Consultancy for Australia PR Visa and the Best Canada Immigration Consultants in the Philippines. Book your consultation with our Immigration Experts to start your PR process.

Australia PR points calculator for skilled immigration

You have to score a minimum of 65 points on the Australia PR points calculator if you wish to immigrate to Australia as a skilled worker. This is under the SkillSelect system which is based on points. It offers points to applicants for diverse factors such as age and language skills.

Nominated Occupation

To qualify under the Australia General Skilled Immigration Program, you have to nominate a skilled occupation from any one of the following lists:

• The MLTSSL - Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List
• The STSOL - Short-term Skilled Occupation List
• The ROL - Regional Occupation List
• The RSMS - Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme List

You must also obtain an assessment of your skills from the appropriate authority for skills assessment for your occupation.

Age

You will be offered points for your age at the time of filing the immigration application. Maximum points are obtained by applicants in the age group 32 to 25 years. Those who are aged 45 years and more get no points.

Points	Age
25	18-24
30	25-32
25	33-39
15	40-44
0	45-49

Proficiency in the English Language

The majority of the applicants under SkillSelect have to appear for the IELTS - International English Language Testing System. While there are some exceptions for native English speakers, all have to take IELTS for claiming points for Proficient or Superior English language skills.

Points	English language proficiency (IELTS score)
20	IELTS score of 8 or higher - Superior
10	IELTS score of 7 or higher - Proficient
0	IELTS score of 6 or higher - Competent

Skilled Employment

You will be offered points for work experience in a skilled occupation obtained overseas or in Australia. The work experience must have been accumulated in the past 10 years. It must be in an occupation nominated on any of the skilled occupations lists. Alternatively, it can be in an occupation that is closely linked to obtaining points for skilled employment.

Points	Duration of skilled employment in Australia in the last ten years
5	1 year
10	3 years
15	5 years
20	8 years

Points	Duration of skilled employment overseas in the last ten years
5	3 years
10	5 years
15	8 years

 

Educational Qualifications

You will receive points for education only for the highest qualification. For instance, if you have both a Doctoral and Bachelor’s degree, you will get points only for the Doctoral degree.

Points	Qualification
20	Doctorate
15	Master's or Bachelor's degree
10	Australian trade qualification or Diploma
10	Qualification or Award acknowledged by the assessing authority for the assessment of the skilled occupation

Australian Qualifications

You will receive 5 points for having completed qualification bin Australia from an educational institution.

Points	Australian qualifications
5	Any trade qualification, diploma, or degree earned in Australia  through minimum 2 years of study

 

Regional study

You will receive 5 points if you have studied for at least 2 years in Australia by residing and studying in a Metropolitan area with low population growth/regional Australia.

Points	Australian qualifications
5	Any trade qualification, diploma, or degree earned in Australia  through minimum 2 years of study in a Metropolitan area with low population growth/regional Australia

Community language skills

You will be offered 5 points if you have language skills at the translator/interpreter level in any of the designated community languages in Australia. The skills have to be accredited by NAATI - National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters in Australia.

Points	Language skills
5	Skills at the translator/interpreter level in a community language recognized by NAATI

Skills and qualifications of Spouse/partner

If your partner or spouse is not a Permanent Resident or Citizen of Australia and is included in the application, you can obtain points for their skills.

Points	Spouse/partner qualifications and skills
5	Spouse/partner fulfills basic requirements

Professional Year

If you have completed an accredited Professional Year in Australia in the past 4 years, you can also score 5 points.

Points	Professional year
5	Completed an accredited Professional Year in Australia in the past 4 years

Sponsorship and Nomination (Subclass 489 and Subclass 190 only)

Applicants for Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa and Sponsored or Skilled Nominated Subclass 489 Visa are offered points for receiving sponsorship from a Territorial or State Government in Australia.

Points	Nomination or Sponsorship
5	Nomination by a Territory or State government under a State Immigration Plan for a Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visa application
10	Nomination by a Territory or State government under a State Immigration Plan or a qualified relative to a selected area for a Sponsored or Skilled Nominated Subclass 489 Visa application

Nationwide Visas has 15 plus years of experience in helping people in achieving their overseas dreams to various global destinations. If you to immigrate to Australia and know more about the PR points test or how to get a job in Australia from India, contact us today.