Australia visa renewal – Extend your stay

Australia offers a differing scope of learning and study chances to overseas students. Australia has the third-largest number of international students in the world. Every year, there is a massive flow of international students in Australia for study purposes. Australia’s visa lasts for a specific period.  If candidates prefer to extend their stay, they need to prepare beforehand for their visa renewal. The essential points to be considered are listed below:

Required Documents

After the visa comes to an expiration date, most of the students apply for a permanent residence. There are many visa options that make you eligible for a permanent residency visa. You must have all the required documents ready.

a) English competency proof

• Academic qualification records
• Evidence of meeting health and character requirements
• Evidence of work experience (if any)
• The positive skill assessment document (if required)

b) Total Points earned

You need to score points more than 65 as per the rule. You can calculate your point on SkillSelect points table. For example, the maximum points for a software engineer are 75, according to the immigration department. It depends on your occupation on how much points you need to apply for a permanent residency.

• Occupation
• Academic qualifications
• English Language proficiency
• Work experience if any

Apply for Subclass – 485 Temporary Graduate Visa

Applicants can apply for a temporary graduate visa after their visa expiration. This visa allows them to live, study, and work in Australia temporarily after the completion of their recent educational degrees from Australia.

• Graduate Work Stream (valid for 18 months)
• Post-Study Work Stream (valid from 2 to 4 years)

If your occupation and skills are listed on the Skilled Occupation List, then a temporary graduate visa is an excellent pathway.

With the given period of temporary visas, gain as much professional experience as you can to earn more points for permanent residency in Australia. As the addition of one-year work experience will grant 5 points. Once you have your temporary visa- 485 issued, you won’t be able to apply for it again.

Professional Year Program

This program is for overseas students who graduated in the field of computer science, engineering, and accounting from Australian University. You can gain new experiences and skills through this program. It will eventually help you in getting 5 points after the completion of the professional year program.

Job Ready Program

Another factor that will help you in getting your permanent visa application is a job-ready program. Trade Recognition Australia (TRA) provides a Job Ready Program allowing overseas students to gain qualifications and experience in their relevant field.

Employer-Sponsored Visa

If an employer is willing to nominate you for your skills, you can apply for an employer sponsor visa. Given that your employer is an Australian.

Seek professional assistance

In case of confusion, you can always rely on professional help. Acsrplreport.com is providing expert advice for your further inquiry.

Migrate to Australia as an ICT professional

With the globally increasing needs of skilled workers, Australia is inviting skilled immigrants to work, study, and live there. Australia’s goal is to improve economic growth and compete with other developed nations. Many businesses are improving their productivity along with the adaptation to new technologies. It will directly increase the demands of IT professions. The Australian Government announced reforms to Australia’s temporary and permanent skilled visa programs on 18 April 2017. The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) was replaced by a combined list containing the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and Regional Occupation List (ROL).

ICT Professions on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

1. Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL)

The occupations on medium and long-term skilled occupation lists are eligible for a temporary visa. They have the pathways to a permanent residency through employer sponsorship, state sponsorship, or skilled independent.

• ICT business analyst – 261111
• System analyst – 261112
• Multimedia specialist – 261211
• Analyst programmer – 261311
• Developer programmer – 261312
• Software engineers – 261313
• Software and applications programmers (NEC) – 261399
• ICT security specialist – 262112
• Computer network and systems engineer – 263111

2. Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL)

The occupation on short-term skilled occupation list is limited to a temporary visa. They don’t necessarily have a pathway to permanent residency. There might be some states offering PR through state sponsorship, with additional criteria to be met.

• ICT project manager – 135112
• ICT project manager – 135112
• ICT managers (NEC) – 135199
• ICT trainer – 223211
• Web developer – 261212
• Software tester – 261314
• Database administrator – 262111
• Systems administrator – 262113
• Network administrator – 263112
• Network analyst – 263113
• ICT Quality assurance engineer – 263211
• ICT support engineer – 26212
• ICT systems test engineer – 263213
• ICT support and test engineers (NEC) – 263299
• Web administrator – 313113

All the skill assessments are handled by the Australia Computer Society (ACS). To qualify for skilled migration to Australia, you should choose an occupation from the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL). However, if you are applying for skilled migration via nomination by a State or Territory Government, you have the choice of designating an occupation from the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL).

General skilled migration (GSM) is the path for skilled workers to migrate to Australia. The applicants must meet the requirements to qualify for the visa.

Understanding which Occupation List to use

• If applying for a General Skilled Migration visa and you are not nominated by the state or territory government, you must choose an occupation from MLTSSL.
• If applying for a General Skilled Migration visa and you are nominated by the state or territory government, you must choose an occupation from STSOL.

 Difference between MLTSS and STSOL

Medium and long-term strategic skills list is for overseas skilled workers to fill the critical skills in occupation for up to four years, with eligibility to apply for PR after three years.

Short-term skilled occupation list is for overseas skilled workers to fill in the occupation for two years with the possibility of extending an additional two years with no eligibility to apply for PR.

Visa Pathways for IT Professionals

ICT experts on the MLTSSL occupation list should consider the General Skilled Visa, including subclass 189, 190, and the new temporary Regional Skilled Visa Subclass 491. Occupations on the short-term list may only be considered for the state nominated visa subclass 190 and/or for the new visa Subclass 491 if on the relevant state occupation lists.

Due to the high demand for IT professionals by the Australian community, the employer-sponsored pathway is also available.

Skills Assessment for IT Professionals

Like every single other occupation, to be considered for a general skilled visa, IT experts are required to acquire a positive skills assessment from the Australian Computer Society (ACS) as the very first step to go through the skilled visa application process.

SkillSelect to make an Expression of Interest (EOI)

Candidates (skilled workers or business persons) are required to submit an EOI online using SkillSelect if they want to migrate to Australia. EOI is not a visa application, and there are no charges to submit in the SkillSelect. EOIs are valid for two years. You are required to update your information if your circumstances change. If you receive an invitation to lodge a visa application, you cannot edit your EOI. EOI is updated for the following purpose.

• Gained new work experience, high qualification
• Improved English language ability
• Family make up has changed

These changes will affect your points score and improve your ranking. False or misleading information may lead to refusal of the application. Similarly, your EOI will be removed from the SkillSelect if you don’t lodge your application in response to either of the received two invitations.

Step 1: Create an EOI in SkillSelect

Fill in the personal details required to create your account.

1. Name and family name
2. Date of birth
3. Country
4. Gender
5. Passport and citizenship details
6. Place of residency
7. Relationship status

Confirm the information with valid email and password. You will be provided with an EOI identification number via email. It is needed for login purposes later on.

Step 2: Sign in

With the provided login credential and identification number, you can log in to SkillSelect. Fill in each section with correct information. You can save your details and come back to it anytime.

Step 3: Visa type

Pick the type of visa application that is applicable. More than one visa can be selected.

Step 4: English Language test details

The type of English language test undertook must be listed. It may include the date of examination, test reference number and test scores.

Step 5: Education and qualification details

It includes the details about your education history and qualifications as:

• Qualification name
• Course name
• Institution name / Country
• Start and end date of the study

Step 6: Skills Assessment

You are required to provide your skills assessment information by the assessing authority for your nominated occupation.

• Name of your nominated occupation
• Name of the assessing authority
• Date of your completed skills assessment
• Reference number provided by the assessing authority

Step 7: Employment History

Employment history from the last ten years with the following details included:

• Position Title
• Employer name
• Country
• Start date and end date of employment
• Position related to the nominated occupation
• Claiming points for the position

Step 8: Review and Declarations

Double-check the information you’ve entered, read and tick each declaration. Review your final application before submitting it.

Step 9: Download your Expression of Interest

You can download a PDF Document of your Expression of interest and also a pdf of your points breakdown.

Processing Time for visa classes 189, 190 and 489

Australia Visa Processing Time 2020

Processing Time for visa classes 189, 190 and 489 can vary depending on individual circumstances. 

Skilled Independent visa (subclass 189)

With the skilled independent visa 189, you can study, work, and stay anywhere in Australia. You can also sponsor your family members. The candidate holding this visa can travel to and from Australia for a given period of 5 years.

Conditions applied:

You must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entering Australia. Your visa will get cancelled if the agency finds out you were engaged, married or in a de facto relationship before they granted the visa and didn’t mention it in your application.

How long can you stay?

Since this is a permanent visa, it lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. You can travel to and from Australia for five years till the expiry date. Candidates, if eligible can eventually become Australian citizens.

Family members

You can include your family members while lodging your visa application. The family members are required to meet the health and character requirements. Reasons for not including your partner or dependent child must be specified.

Total cost

The total cost for the main application is AUD 4,045. They also charge for each family member applying along with you. You might have to pay extra for any applicant 18 years old or older with incompetent functional English which ought to be paid once the visa is granted. The second instalment charge for a family member is AUD 4,885. You might need to pay for health checks, police reports, and biometrics which is not included in the second instalment.

Processing times

The processing time for visa processing can vary depending on individual circumstances such as:

• Regardless of lodging the application including all the supporting documents
• Response to the request for additional documents.
• Time taken to review the additional information
• Time taken to review the reports by external agencies regarding the health, character, and national security prerequisites
• Number of places available in the migration program for permanent migration visa application

Travel

You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for five years. After the expiry, to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, you will need a Resident Return visa (155 or 157).

 Skilled Nominated visa (subclass 190)

With the skilled nominated visa 190, you can study, work, and stay anywhere in Australia. You can also sponsor your family members. The candidate holding this visa can travel to and from Australia for a given period of 5 years.

Conditions applied:

1. You must enter Australia before the date specified in the grant letter.
2. You must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entering Australia. Your visa will get cancelled if the agency finds out you were engaged, married or in a de facto relationship before they granted the visa and didn’t mention it in your application.

How long can you stay?

Since this is a permanent visa, it lets you stay in Australia indefinitely. You can travel to and from Australia for five years till the expiry date. Candidates, if eligible can eventually become Australian citizens.

Family members

You can include your family members while lodging your visa application. The family members are required to meet the health and character requirements. Reasons for not including your partner or dependent child must be specified.

Total cost

The total cost for the main application is AUD 4,045. They also charge for each family member applying along with you. You might have to pay extra for any applicant 18 years old or older with incompetent functional English which ought to be paid once the visa is granted. The second instalment charge for a family member is AUD 4,885. You might need to pay for health checks, police reports, and biometrics which is not included in the second instalment.

Processing times

The processing time for visa processing can vary depending on individual circumstances such as:

• Regardless of lodging the application including all the supporting documents
• Response to the request for additional documents.
• Time taken to review the additional information
• Time taken to review the reports by external agencies regarding the health, character, and national security prerequisites
• Number of places available in the migration program for permanent migration visa application

Travel

You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want for five years. After the expiry, to re-enter Australia as a permanent resident, you will need a Resident Return visa (155 or 157).

Skilled Regional visa (subclass 489)

With the skilled regional visa 489, you can study, work, and stay in the specified region of Australia. The candidate holding this visa can travel to and from Australia until the visa expires.

Conditions applied:

1. You must not marry or enter a de facto relationship before entering Australia. Your visa will get cancelled if the agency finds out you were engaged, married or in a de facto relationship before they granted the visa and didn’t mention it in your application.
2. You must live, study and work in an area specified as a regional or low-population growth metropolitan of Australia.
3. You must live, study, and work in the designated area while in Australia. If you hold more than one visa that is subjected to this condition, the designated area that was in action when the first of those visas were granted will apply.

Specified Region

1. Nominated by a State or Territory government agency

If your visa was granted before November 16th 2019, you would need to work, live and study only in a regional and low population growth metropolitan area. This applies to the family members who are the holders of the visa. Whereas for the visa granted after 16th November 2019, will need to live, study, and work in a designated regional area.

2. Sponsored by an eligible relative

The applicants would live, study and work in a specified area of Australia even if the visa was granted after 16th November 2019. This applies to the family members that are the holders of the visa.

How long can you stay?

Since this is a temporary visa, it lets you stay in Australia for four years. You can travel to and from Australia till the expiry date. You cannot extend this visa to overstay in Australia.

Family members

You can include your family members while lodging your visa application. The family members are required to meet the health and character requirements. Reasons for not including your partner or dependent child must be specified.

Total cost

The total cost for the main application is AUD 4,045. They also charge for each family member applying along with you. You might have to pay extra for any applicant 18 years old or older with incompetent functional English which ought to be paid once the visa is granted. The second instalment charge for a family member is AUD 4,890.

You might need to pay for health checks, police reports, and biometrics which is not included in the second instalment.

Processing times

The processing time for visa processing can vary depending on individual circumstances such as:

• Regardless of lodging the application including all the supporting documents
• Response to the request for additional documents.
• Time taken to review the additional information
• Time taken to review the reports by external agencies regarding the health, character, and national security prerequisites
• Number of places available in the migration program for permanent migration visa application

Travel

You can travel in and out of Australia as many times as you want while the visa is valid. The time spent outside Australia will not extend your visa.

Note: With the introduction to the Skilled Work Regional visa (491), the subclass visa (489) invited pathway will be closed for a new application on 16th November 2019.

Australia PR Points 2020 – 189, 190, 489 Visa

Expression of Interest (EOI)	Invitation time
85-90 points	1-2 months
75-85 points	8-9 months
70 points	Depends on ANZSCO code
65 points	0 – Minimum chance of an invitation

Australia has one of the most straightforward immigration processes. Every year, many skilled professionals move to Australia on a PR visa. Minimum points for Australia PR Skillset 189 (points-based) or 190 (State Sponsored Visa) is 65 in 2020-2021. The basic requirements to get an Australian PR includes two significant factors.

1. Minimum of 65 points
2. IELTS score with a minimum of 7 or 7+ bands
3. Your profile on Australia’s demand list

Visa classes

Subclass 189 – Skilled Independent Visa

Subclass 190 – Skilled Nominated Program

Subclass 489 – Territory nomination

Points table for the visa classes (189, 190, and 489)

1. Age

Age groups	Points
At least 18- less than 25 years	25
At least 25- less than 33 years	30
At least 33- less than 40 years	25
At least 40- less than 45 years	15

Note: Candidates 45 years and above are not eligible for the program. If your age is 24 years ten months, it is counted as 24 until your next birthday.

2. English Language Skills

English language skill	Points
Competent English (6 or more band, PTE 50)	0
Proficient English (7 or more band, PTE 65)	10
Superior English (8 or more band, PTE 79)	20

3. Skilled Employment Experience

For Overseas skilled employment

Number of years	Points
Less than 3 years	0
At least 3 but less than 5 years	5
At least 5 but less than 8 years	10
At least 8 years	15

For Australian skilled employment

Number of years	Points
Less than 1 years	0
At least 1 but less than 3 years	5
At least 3 but less than 5 years	10
At least 5 but less than 8 years	15
At least 8 years	20

Note:

• Points can be claimed if the employment is in your designated occupation or closely related to the skilled occupation; and you were employed for the applicable periods set out in the table, in the ten years before you are invited to apply.
• Whereas for Australian employment, you must have a substantive visa (that allows you to remain temporarily in Australia) or Bridging A or Bridging B These visas must be complied with the conditions of that visa to be qualified for points.
• Employed hours must be at least 20 hours per week

Closely related occupation includes:

1. 1. Same ANZSCO Unit group
   2. Consistent with a professional advancement pathway
   3. Perceived by authorized personnel

• The maximum points awarded under this section is 20

4. Educational Qualification

Qualification	Points
Doctorate from an Australian or another educational institute	20
Bachelor degree from an Australian or another educational institute	15
Diploma or trade qualification from Australian educational institutes	10
Awards or qualification recognized by the authority	10

5. Specialist education qualification

Requirement	Points
A Master’s degree or a Doctorate from an Australian educational institute with 2 academic years study.	10

The postgraduate degree (Masters or Doctorate) must be awarded from an Australian educational institution. It must have at least two academic years of study in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or other specified information and ICT fields.

6. Australian Study Requirement

Requirement	Points
Completion of a Professional Year in Australia	5

• Must be closely related to the designated occupation
• Completed over at least 12 months period
• Recognized by an authorized organisation

7. Credentialed Community Language

Requirement	Points
A recognized qualification in a credentialed community language	5

To be Credentialed in a community language and qualified for the award of points, you must be accredited at the paraprofessional level or above, certified provisional level or above, or have a community language certification for interpreting by the National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters.

8. Study in regional Australia

Requirement	Points
At least 1 degree, diploma or trade qualification from Australian educational institution satisfying Australian study requirement.	5

9. Spouse Skill Points

Requirement	Points
Unmarried	10
Spouse is an Australian Citizen or PR holder	10
Spouse has Positive Skill Assessment, Job code is in same skilled occupation list as your nominated skilled occupation, competent English and is less than 45 years	10
Spouse has no Skill Assessment but competent English	5
Other cases	0

10. Nomination or sponsorship

Requirement	Points
If invited for Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa as being nominated and the Territory government agency has not withdrawn that nomination or Sponsored for a 489 visa by a family member and the Minister has accepted that sponsorship.	15
If invited to apply for a Subclass 190 (Skilled-Nominated) visa and Territory government agency has not withdrawn the nomination	5