To sum up Australia's immigration policy in 2016 can be said to be a series of surprises, starting in July 2016, the new fiscal year, immigration policy has been accompanied by a steady change. The major immigration policy was adjusted to 457 visa reform, the implementation of New Zealand start-up immigration visa and Australia's 10-year visa opening to China.
Australia relaxes restrictions on overseas home purchases to allow overseas buyers to act as pick-up man
Previously, under Australian goverment rules, off-the-plan, which had not been sold in time, would not be allowed to resell to overseas buyers as long as it was resold. At the same time, the foreign investment review board law provides that overseas people are generally allowed to buy new homes, not second-hand housing. However, since November 2016, Australia's goverment has given the green light to some extent for overseas buyers, announcing the latest policy for overseas buyers in Australia's Finance Minister! The new regulations will also allow developers to recover property (failed settlements). That has failed to close on time under the "New House exemption Certificate (New Dwelling Exemption Certificate)".
Australia Entrepreneurial Immigration Visa (188E) officially implemented
Since Sept. 10, 2016, a new visa category has been added to Australia's 188 visa series-the 188E Venture Entrepreneurship Visa (Entrepreneur Stream). 188E visa has attracted the attention of investors as soon as it is launched. The new 188E visa category allows entrepreneurs with third-party investments of more than two hundred thousand Australian dollars to develop and commercialize their innovative products in Australia, and holders of entrepreneurial visas can then apply for permanent residence in Australia. However, with an innovative attitude, not all businesses are eligible for 188E visas.
Fiscal year 2016 / 17 SOL list announced
On May 16, the Australian Immigration Service released a list of immigration occupations for fiscal year 2016-2017 (SOL)., which retains popular occupations such as accounting, engineering, teachers, nurses and doctors in FY 2016 / 17. Instead, mining engineer (Mining Engineer), petroleum engineer, (Petroleum Engineer), metallurgy scholar, (Metallurgist), environmental health specialist, (Environmental Health Officer), occupational health and safety consultant (Occupational Health and Safety Adviser), and dental hygiene officer, (Dental Hygienist), were deleted Dental repairman (Dental Prosthetist), dental technologist (Dental Technician), dental therapist (Dental Therapist) and so on.
457 changes in visas
Updated definition of 457 visa 'family member'
Since Nov. 19, 2016, only partners and children will be able to be family members of 457.
Where 'child' is defined as:
- The child is less than 18 years of age; o
- Aged 18 to 23, but still dependent on the parents; o
- A child over the age of 23 who is incapacitated or incapacitated to work.
The age limit for Australian immigrant visa-accompanied children will be adjusted to 23
As of November 19, children over 23 years of age (including 23 years of age) no longer meet the definition of a family member, that is, they can no longer apply for a visa as a subsidiary applicant. The policy changes apply to the vast majority of visas except protection visas, refugee visas and humanitarian visas.
457 visa holders' time to find a new employer will be reduced to 60 days
Starting Nov. 19, the time limit for finding a new employer has been shortened to 60 days. If no new employer is found within 60 days, 457 visa holders will violate visa terms 8107, which could result in visa cancellation. Under the old policy, 457 visa holders can find a new employer within 90 days if they cancel their contract with the old employer.
Australian immigrant prices rise
From July 1, 2016, Australia's career assessment, some visa application fees and health insurance prices have increased.
Accounting profession evaluation
Chartered Accountant FY 2015 / FY 2016 Vs. Fee rates for fiscal year 2016-2017:
Regular Qualification assessment from AUD $450 to AUD $550 [up $100]
The 800-mile-accelerated Qualification assessment rose from AUD $600 to AUD $650 [up $50]
Review up from AUD $150 to AUD $170 [up $20]
Nursing career assessment (ANMAC)
Modified assembly from AUD $420 to AUD $425[up $5]
Although it's only five bucks up, it's still expensive …
Engineering career assessment
Engineer Australia Australian Society of Engineers fees for FY 2015 / 2016:
Standard CompetencyDemonstration Report (basic Assessment report): AUD$715 (tax included)
CompetencyDemonstration Report Relevant Skilled Employment Assessment (basic Assessment report related work experience Assessment): AUD$1012 (tax included)
Fast Track Fee (800 li): AUD$275 (tax included)
Spouse visa sponsor is required to provide no criminal record
Applicants for spouse immigration visas from Nov. 18, 2016 should be aware that your sponsor is ready to provide a non-criminal record.
Australia Job Holiday Visa 462 will be opened for "second Visa"
Since 2015, Australia has opened applications for a working holiday visa to China, with only 5000 places a year, and only one person can apply for it once a year. The terms of application for the visa are so low that it is possible to work and study in Australia as well as travel, and some plan to emigrate through the 462 visa curve.
As of Nov. 19, Australia will open a "double visa" for 462 visas, and those who have previously applied for the visa can also apply again. But there are additional requirements: the second time to Australia's Northern Territory, North West Australia, South Queensland for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, tourism, catering and other related work for more than three months.
Cancellation of 5 types of temporary visas in Australia
The Australian Immigration Service will consolidate Australia's temporary visas by abolishing the following five categories of visas
Temporary work (long stay) visa Temporary Work (Long Stay Activity) visa
Training and Research Visa Training and Research visa
Special Program Visa Special Program visa
Temporary work visa (recreational) Temporary Work (Entertainment) visa
488 Yacht Crew Visas Superyacht Crew visa
Two new categories
Temporary activity visa Temporary Activity visa
Training visa Training visa
China-Australia 10-year travel visa
From 12 December 2016, Australia will start piloting a 10-year "frequent visitor" visa for applicants who hold a Chinese passport and apply in mainland China. A 10-year "frequent visitor" visa allows visa holders to enter and leave the country multiple times within the 10-year validity period. Stay in Australia for up to 3 months at a time! Such tourist visas, known as the 600 category, allow Chinese tourists to stay in Australia for a cumulative period of no more than 12 months during any 24-month period, and are suitable for those with long-term plans that require frequent short-term visits to Australia. At present this visa is only open to online application, the fee is 1000 Australian dollars! And the Australian Immigration Service is very sweet to provide the completion of the Chinese form! This is Australia's first 10-year visa to foreign citizens, only Chinese citizens.
Changes in Pension Law in Australia
Australia's new pension review rules, introduced from January next year, will affect a large number of families. The move means that some three hundred thousand of pensioners will lose their pensions, one hundred thousand of whom will lose their pensions altogether. Pension funds and financial advisers urge people (or possibly their parents) who are likely to be affected by the change to consult professionals about their financial situation.
Introduction of a 5-year temporary residence visa for parents
A 5-year temporary residence visa for Australian PR or citizen parents will be implemented on July 1, 2017! It's not a dream to reunite your parents!
Forecast of Australia's skilled Migration Policy 2017
1. Single applicants will receive high bonus points
According to the Committee's recommendations, single (or non-dependent) immigrant applicants should receive the most bonus grades! It is not clear how many points this item will have, but according to the current policy, at least 5 points can be added!
2, reduce the age limit
The Australian Productivity Commission recommended that immigration lower the current 50-year-old age limit for permanent immigrants and give a greater weight to scores-building the system on older immigrants. If the age limit is lowered to 45, it will be harder for skilled immigrant applicants over 45 years of age to be approved! Young skilled immigrants will face less competition! It's easier to stay in Australia!
3, based on the list of vocational skills (SOL)
The committee recommends that the SOL be the only benchmark in determining permanent immigration programs, including even temporary transition visas.
In addition, a small-scale pilot scheme could be conducted to test the usefulness of the SOL supplement. In this way, we can not only deal with some difficult technical categories in more detail, but also bring into the system special, convenient and non-professional types of work.
4. Consolidation of the list of skilled immigrants and employer guarantees
The Productivity Council recommends that the Immigration Department adopt the same scoring system for skilled immigrants and employer-sponsored migrants!
At the same time, the Committee recommends the elimination of CSOL and the uniform adoption of the SOL list!
5. The deputy applicant has special skills and can add points to the applicant.
According to the technical and other characteristics of the adult second applicant, the principal applicant should be given a large plus, or even the highest.
6, simplified request score system
The committee recommends that the SOL be the only benchmark in determining permanent immigration programs, including even temporary transition visas.
The committee recommends that Australia's goverment adopt a points system for all skilled immigrants! And the committee recommends that additional points be awarded if the principal applicant is guaranteed by the employer! Currently, the selection criteria for skilled immigrants and employer-guaranteed immigration applications are different.
7. Assess the English proficiency of spouses and adult children
According to the committee's plan, the applicant's spouse and adult children's English proficiency, working ability, age and education level should be included in the assessment criteria.
According to the Committee, almost half of skilled immigrant visas are granted to second applicants, so these assessments are extremely important!