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The Australian government has extended entry restrictions for an additional week from Feb. 15 on foreign nationals who have recently been in mainland China.
Key Points:
Analysis & Comments: The response to the coronavirus continues to evolve, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The Australian government has updated its coronavirus policy and issued new travel advice for Australians.
What does the change mean? The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has raised its travel advice for China to “level 4 – do not travel.” With the exception of citizens, permanent residents, and immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents including spouses, minor dependents and legal guardians, foreign nationals who are in mainland China are barred from entering Australia until 14 days after they have left or transited through China. All those returning to Australia who have travelled in Hubei Province during the last 14 days or have left or transited through mainland China since Feb. 1 must isolate themselves for 14 days.
Background: The coronavirus causes flu-like symptoms and double pneumonia. Thousands of people in China have been infected and 12 travel-related cases in Australia have been confirmed. The World Health Organization designated the outbreak as a public health emergency of international concern, and many countries have recently implemented travel restrictions and issued warnings in response to the spread of the coronavirus.
Analysis & Comments: The government’s ban on travel from mainland China, as well as its quarantine policy, indicate that it is taking serious steps to contain the spread of the virus. Those planning travel between Australia and China ought to reconsider their plans amid growing concern about the virus and new travel restrictions. Employers and visa applicants in both China and Australia can expect significant delays. The response to the coronavirus is evolving rapidly, and Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes or restrictions as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? The Australian Government is accepting submissions on proposed changes to the country’s skilled occupations lists.
What does the change mean? The consultation period is part of a months-long review of Australia’s occupations lists and follows the publication of a Traffic Light Bulletin that outlined proposed changes. The review could impact applicants for Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visas and company-sponsored applicants for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme, among others. The consultation period is open until Feb. 12, and officials will fully consider all submissions made to it before finalizing any changes.
Additional information: The Traffic Light Bulletin recommended category changes for 32 occupations, including:
If an occupation is not listed in the Traffic Light Bulletin, the Government is proposing no changes at this point. The current occupations lists are available on this website.
Analysis & Comments:Â Employers are encouraged to review the Traffic Light Bulletin and consider making submissions during the consultation period, especially if the current skilled migration lists are impacting their ability to recruit and retain foreign talent. Deloitte is available to work with clients to ensure the current challenges their business is facing are represented in the consultation process.
What is the change? The Australian Government has announced plans to expand its regional migration program by making more visas available and by including the Gold Coast and Perth as part of regional Australia for migration purposes.
What does the change mean? The number of regional visas issued annually will increase from 23,000 to 25,000. International students in the Gold Coast and Perth will be able to extend their visas for an additional year, employers will be able to sponsor foreign workers for Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visas for roles on the Regional Occupation List (ROL), and foreign workers in these areas will be eligible for regional visas that become available later this month.
Additional information: The Australian Government has taken steps to prioritize regional migration, setting aside 25,000 visas for regional migration even as it reduced the nationwide number from 190,000 to 160,000. Employers in the Gold Coast and Perth will be eligible for regional migration perks, including the ability to (1) extend Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas for an additional year, (2) obtain Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visas for roles on the Regional Occupation List (ROL) (in addition to the Short Term Skilled Occupational Demand List and the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skill List), and (3) sponsor foreign workers on regional visas that become available later this month, including the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa.
Analysis & Comments:Â The Australian Government is emphasizing regional migration, evidenced by its decision earlier this year to set aside a significant number of visas for regional Australia even as officials cut migration numbers overall. The recent changes highlight this effect, not only by making more visas available, but also by expanding the areas defined as regional Australia. Employers in regional Australia are encouraged to work closely with their immigration provider to determine what visa options are best for their workforce.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? The Australian Government has commenced a review of its skilled occupation lists, a process that will impact applicants for Temporary Skilled Shortage (TSS) visas and company-sponsored applicants for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme, among others.
What does the change mean? Stakeholders will have the chance to provide input on potential changes to the Short-Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and the Regional Occupation List (ROL).
Additional information: The timeline for the review is as follows:
Analysis & Comments:Â Employers are encouraged to participate in the review, especially if the current skilled migration lists are impacting their ability to recruit and retain foreign talent. Employers may wish to consider (1) occupations that are not on any of the skilled occupation lists that should be included on them; (2) occupations on the ROL that should be moved to the STSOL or MLTSSL and (3) occupations on the STSOL that should be moved to the MLTSSL. The current skilled occupation lists are available on this Department of Home Affairs website. Deloitte is available to work with clients to ensure the current challenges their businesses experiences are represented in the consultation process.
Australia has announced new measures to bring high-skilled migrants to the country, extending a global talent pilot program and launching a new effort to identify and recruit migrants at the top of their profession.
Analysis & Comments: The GTES and GTIP could prove to be good options for employers who are looking to recruit top-level foreign workers for work visas or permanent residence. Employers are encouraged to work closely with Deloitte to determine how the programs can fit in with their broader recruitment and immigration programs.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2019. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
What is the change? Australia has increased application fees for most visa classes by more than 7%.
Additional information: Visa application fee increases totaled more than 7% for most visa classes on July 1. The increase included a 2.25% annual Consumer Price Index increase as well as a 5.54% increase for most visa subclasses. A news alert published last week included some incorrect figures that did not take the full increase into account.
The fee levels (in Australian dollars) as of July 1 are as follows:
The fees relating to sponsorship applications and TSS/ENS nomination applications remain the same. There has also been no change to the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy, payable upon lodgement of TSS/ENS nomination applications.
More information regarding the July 1 fee increase can be found here.
Analysis & Comments:Â Employers and individual visa applicants should review the new fees and make sure that applications lodged after July 1 follow the new fee schedule.
Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.
What is the change? Australia has announced an increase in application fees for most visa classes, effective July 1.
Additional information:
The following fee increases (in Australian dollars) will take effect July 1:
Scott Morrison has retained Australia’s prime ministership after his Liberal-National Coalition won a majority in Saturday’s federal election. The vote followed a campaign in which immigration was top issue for both of Australia’s major political parties.
Analysis & Comments: A senate committee in Morrison’s Government proposed a number of changes to Australia’s Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa in April, including increasing the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), changing the ANZSCO framework and the skills assessment process, and introducing stricter labor market testing requirements. That said, Deloitte does not anticipate any substantial visa program changes at this point. Deloitte will continue to advocate to the Government on its clients behalf to address genuine skills shortages in the Australian marketplace and a balanced, accessible migration program.
Changes to Australia’s temporary skilled visa system and other immigration programs are in the balance as the country prepares for a federal election on Saturday.
Australia’s two major political parties have both proposed measures to further restrict immigration programs, with Prime Minister Scott Morrison promising to cut annual migration numbers and the opposition Labor Party focusing on measures to protect against harm to local workers.
The discussion comes a year after the government abolished the Subclass 457 visa and replaced it with the more restrictive Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa. The Australian Senate’s Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee completed a review of the temporary skilled visa system in April, publishing a host of recommendations for additional changes, including:
Whether the committee’s recommendations are implemented may depend on how well Morrison and his Liberal Party do in the election.
The Labor Party is running on a platform that includes increasing the TSMIT to a minimum of A$65,000, upping the payments employers are required to make to the Skilling Australians Fund, creating a new Australian Skills Authority to act as an independent body to review occupations lists and determine what areas have a genuine skills shortage, and increasing penalties on employers who exploit workers, including migrants.
The Labor Party has also backed the creation a SMART visa for specialists in medicine, academia, research and technology. The idea was first proposed in 2017 after the government announced that it would abolish the 457 visa program.
Analysis & Comments: Immigration has been a hot-button issue in the lead-up to Australia’s election. Both major parties are backing proposals that would introduce additional restrictions on Australia’s skilled visa programs. Deloitte will continue following the proposals and will alert clients to any significant changes to Australia’s visa and immigration programs. Deloitte will also continue to advocate to the government on our clients behalf to address genuine skills shortages in the Australian marketplace and a balanced, accessible migration program.