News Regarding Immigration: October 2022

The Australian government released a Ministerial Direction for giving skilled visa applications priority in October. The government also announced simplified guidelines for Australian citizens applying for temporary visas.

1. Priorities for processing skilled visas

On October 28, 2022, a new Ministerial Direction for the Prioritization of Skilled Visa Applications went into effect.

The Australian government will give skilled visa applications for the health and education sectors as well as offshore permanent and provisional applications priority in accordance with the Direction. It will be applicable to all nominations for skilled visas, decisions on such applications, and newly submitted applications.

The goal is to decrease processing times for skilled visas and eliminate visa backlogs. Shorter processing timeframes will benefit visa applicants and help small firms that urgently need to fill key labor shortages.

The Direction also indicates the end of the PMSOL and key sectors while giving accredited sponsors their prioritization back.

The Australian Government issued a statement stating that “The PMSOL was out of date and no longer reflected the serious manpower shortages faced throughout Australia.” The government also stated that given the advances in visa processing after the Government dedicated additional cash and employees to shorten processing times, applications with jobs that were on the PMSOL or in important sectors “will continue to be handled efficiently.”

2. Streamlined requirements for Australians applying for temporary visas

According to a government announcement, there would be fewer criteria for those applying for temporary visas in Australia.

Going forward, only a select few qualified visa applicants will be required to get a chest x-ray or other pertinent medical exams.

This will encompass those who:

have requested medical care, temporary shelter, or a provisional visa,

Be prepared to pay for medical expenses or receive medical attention,

intend to practice as (or pursue studies for) a physician, dentist, nurse, or paramedic,will visit a hospital, an elderly center, or a facility for people with disabilities (if there is a higher tuberculosis risk),

plan to give birth to their child in Australia while they are pregnant,

will train or work at a childcare facility in Australia.

a maximum age of 75 (if applying for a visitor visa),

once resided in a home where TB was present, or

the Department of Home Affairs has asked you to do so.

In order to meet the health criteria, other temporary visa applicants in Australia are not obliged to get chest x-rays and go through medical exams.

The following visas are covered by these arrangements:

Temporary Employment (Long Stay Activity)

Temporary Work 403 (International Relations)

• Investor Retirement 405.
• Training 407
• Temporary Activity 408
• Retirement at 410
• Working Holidays 417 and 462
• 461 Family Relationships of New Zealand Citizens (Temporary)
• Graduate with 476 Skill Points
• 482 Shortage of Temporary Skills
• Temporary Graduate, 485
• 500 pupils
• Student Guardian 590
• 600 Users
• Sponsored Parent 870 (Temporary)
• Diplomatic 995 (Temporary)