Australia has introduced a game-changing visa for skilled workers, aimed at attracting highly qualified individuals and addressing labor shortages in key industries. The new Skills in Demand (SID) visa replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa and offers several benefits, including:
Key Features of the SID Visa
– Streamlined Pathway: The SID visa provides a streamlined pathway for skilled migrants, promoting worker mobility while offering a simple process for employers to access the skilled workers they need.
– Longer Stay: The visa offers up to four years of stay, compared to the previous TSS visa’s two-year stay.
– Enhanced Pathways to Permanent Residency: The changes allow all sponsored employment to count towards the Subclass 186 visa TRT stream work experience requirements.
– Reduced Work Experience Threshold: The work experience requirement has been reduced from two years to one year for all SID visa applicants.
– Simplified English Language Requirements: Applicants must meet the English proficiency standards of the previous medium-term TSS stream (IELTS 5 overall, with no band below 5).
New Occupation List
The Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) has been introduced, comprising over 450 occupations in sectors such as construction, cyber security, agriculture, and health. This list will apply across SID visa applications and permanent residency pathways.
Additional Initiatives
The Australian government has also launched the National Innovation visa, an invitation-only program for highly talented migrants who will make a significant contribution to nationally important sectors. Furthermore, the government has introduced a new category of Accredited Sponsors for start-ups that have received venture capital funding.
