News and Views

Employer sponsored visas

The permanent employer sponsored visa program is under review. Changes are expected to be announced on 1 July 2012. This includes the RSMS program. Expect an increase in the English language threshold, and possibly an occupation list for RSMS. The role of RCBs (Regional Certifying Boards) is also under review.

Student visas

The Knight review into the student visa program has been completed and DIAC has agreed to implement all of its recommendations. These include

• Streamlined visa processing
• Reducing the financial requirements for some nationalities
• Stricter assessment of the genuine temporary entrant criteria
• A post qualification visa allowing students who have completed a Bachelor degree or higher to remain in Australia to work for up to four years.
• More flexible arrangements for English language study
• More flexible work entitlements.