Opportunities Offered by New Regional Visas
Not only is Regional Australia beautiful, it makes a robust contribution to the Australian economy. With one third of working Australians living in regions, the strategic importance of regional Australia cannot be understated.
The Department of Home Affairs has unveiled two new skilled regional provisional visas, which will be formally available as of November 2019:
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia; and
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.
What and where is ‘Regional Australia?’
Most locations outside of Australia’s major cities are considered to be regional areas of Australia. The Department of Home Affairs has announced that, as of November 2019, the definition of Regional Australia will be simplified and expanded to include all of Australia except for the metropolitan areas of Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and the Gold Coast.
Benefits of New Regional Visas – Employees
Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will be able to live and work in regional Australia for up to five years. Once the five-year period has transpired, visa-holders will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa.
Benefits of New Regional Visas – Employers
Employers in regional Australia will have access to a greater range of skilled occupations to sponsor migrants. Specifically, the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa will have access to over 450 more occupations than non-regional equivalent visas.
A note for regional tertiary graduates
As of 2021, international students who graduate from a regional tertiary institution will be eligible for two Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas (compared to their non regional counterparts who are only eligible for one subclass 482 visa). The subclass 485 visa provides unrestricted work rights, thus giving regional graduates the invaluable opportunity to accumulate a lengthy period of Australian work experience.
If you would like to learn more about these new Regional visa offerings contact us on hello@integratelegal.com
