Employer Nomination Changes From 1 July

The Department of Immigration has announced that on 1 July 2014, there will be changes to certain employer nomination/regional skilled migration provisions so as to provide greater flexibility to intending applicants.

A major change will be in relation to the policy with regard to the requirements under the Temporary Residence Transition stream when demonstrating 2 years work with the same employer. The Department has recognised that the existing arrangements were too restrictive, particularly where businesses have undergone change in the form of restructures, takeovers and sales.

The updated policy will apply to all applications on hand as at 1July 2014, as well is all applications lodged from this date onward.

The updated policy also provides greater clarity on issues such as ‘periods of continuous employment’, how time spent on a bridging visa is to be dealt with, and how employment is to be treated when the nominee has been working for a number of companies within a group.

Persons wishing to apply for permanent residence under the Temporary Residence Transition stream should seek legal advice prior to lodging an application so as to ensure that their situation will fit within the new policy guidelines.