Episode Summary:

When you lodge an EOI within a nominated occupation, your skills must meet the standards set by the DHA to work in that occupation. To prove your eligibility, an applicant must get their skills assessed by a skills assessing authority. If you don't get a positive assessment result you cannot apply for a skilled migration visa. Obtaining a suitable skills assessment is mandatory for some visa subclasses (and streams) and may be requested for others.

A skill assessment is mandatory for the following visas:

General Skilled Migration visas (Subclass 189, 190, 489, 491), Employer Sponsored Visas (Subclass 186, 187), Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482), and Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) graduate work stream.

Individuals who are qualified to work or train in an eligible skilled occupation in Australia must get their skills assessed by the skills assessing authority relevant to their occupation. Amitava shares his insights on what applicants must do for getting their skills assessed before lodging an EOI. He discusses the course of action for applicants who have received an invitation to apply for a visa, but their skills assessment has expired.

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Skills Assessment (SA)

• (05:12) Work Exp or Academics

• (06:52) When to Get Skills Assessed?

• (10:20) Lodging an EOI v Lodging a Visa

• (13:40) Reassessment for Expired SA after Visa Invitation

Additional Resources:

• Skills Assessing Authorities

• Australian Computer Society

• Engineers Australia

Keywords:

Skills Assessment, EOI, VETASSESS, General Skilled Migration, Temporary Graduate Visa, Temporary Skills Shortage Visa (TSS)

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

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⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

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⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

The Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority (OMARA) is a section within the Department of Home Affairs. Under the Migration Act, this body is granted certain powers and responsibilities for registering and overseeing over 4500 migration agents who provide immigration assistance.

In this episode Amitava talks in detail about their role in registering & overseeing migration agents who provide migration assistance, CPD of migration agents, managing providers of CPD, and how they handle complaints against migration agents from consumers who seek immigration assistance. He touches upon the Captson Assessment that every MARA agent needs to take, before they can start out providing immigration advice. Information on how to seek out a MARA agent on the OMARA register is shared in the podcast. Finally, Amitava rounds out the discussion with his advice on things one needs to be cognizant of before signing a contract with a MARA agent.

Keywords:

Migration Law, OMARA, Capstone Assessment, MARA Register

Main Topics:

• (00:00) What is OMARA?

• (03:04) Immigration Assistance Providers

• (04:39) Capstone Assessment

• (07:16) Complaints Against MARA Agents

• (09:14) OMARA Powers & Oversight

• (11:00) CPD for MARA Agents

• (12:50) Advice to People Seeking Immigration Assistance

Additional Resources:

• OMARA

• MARA Register

• Make a Complaint

• Capstone Assessment

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

One of the objectives of the Migration Strategy is to streamline the temporary skilled migration.  It makes up 9% of Australia’s total temporary migration system. For the system to work more efficiently for both employers and overseas workers, the back-to-front system needs to be overhauled so that Australia can attract highly skilled workers from a rapidly growing pool of young skilled talent.

In this podcast Amitava touches upon why action is needed, what are the existing commitments, and the new reforms the government wants to bring in later this year. Currently, an overseas worker who wants to ply their trade as a skilled sponsored worker must apply for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (TSS) – subclass 482. To bolster its position in the global labour market, the Australian government will introduce a new 4-year temporary skilled worker visa – the Skills in Demand visa. This will replace the complex single employer sponsored Temporary Skill Shortage visa.

Amitava speaks about the three new pathways the government is going to introduce under the SKills in Demand Visa. There will be new limits set on Income Threshold for workers who are sponsored under one of these streams. Key changes to employer sponsorship are discussed which throws light on worker exploitation by employers and how the new measures would benefit overseas skilled workers.

Keywords:

Migration Review, Migration Strategy, Student Visa, Skills in Demand Visa, Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa, Labour Market Testing

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Issues with Temporary Skilled Migration (TSS)

• (05:00) Skills in Demand Visa

• (05:35) Specialist Skills Pathway

• (08:30) Core Skills Pathway

• (10:18) Essential Skills Pathway

• (11:35) Key Changes to Employer Sponsorship

• (13:04) Labour Market Testing (LMT)

Additional Resources:

• Migration Strategy

• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)

• Review of the Migration System

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

On 23 May 2023, Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA). The MMPA is a bilateral framework that supports and promotes two-way migration and mobility between our two countries while addressing issues pertaining to illegal and irregular migration.

The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme or (‘MATES’) is a new scheme, established under the MMPA, to enable the temporary mobility of Indian university graduates and early career professionals. MATES aims to encourage mutually-beneficial skills and knowledge transfer between Australia and India.

In this episode, Amitava discusses: how the MATES program benefits Indian students with a degree in ICT, AI, FinTech, Renewable Energy, Mining, AgriTech; what activities can one undertake while on this visa in Australia; how one can extend their stay and become eligible for permanent residency.

Keywords:

MATES, Indian Students, India Australia Trade Agreement, Washington Accord, Subclass 476, Skilled—Recognised Graduate visa

Main Topics:

• (00:00) - MATES Program

• (05:08) - Eligibility

• (06:34) - Places per Program Year

• (07:00) - Dependents (Spouse & Children)

• (08:42) - Pathways to PR

• (11:58) - Skilled-Recognised Graduate Visa (476)

Additional Resources:

• MATES Program

• National Board of Accreditation

• Washington Accord

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

When you apply for a visa, ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​you and family members who apply for a visa with you might need to have health examinations to prove you meet the health requirement.

If you fail to meet the health requirement, a visa processing offer may consider exercising a health waiver, if it is available for your visa subclass, and contact you to advise you of this and seek further information from you. A health waiver is only available for a Partner Visa or Employer Nominated Visa.

In this podcast, Amitava clarifies under what circumstance can an applicant exercise this waiver. There are certain situations under which a health waiver can be denied by the Medical Officer of the Commonwealth (MOC) of Australia. The reasons behind them and the impact of a migrants poor health on the Australian Health System are the salient points of this episode.

Keywords:

EOI, Medical Officer of Commonwealth of Australia (MOC), Health Waiver

Main Topics:

• (00:00) What is a Health Waiver?

• (03:30) Medical Officer Exercising Health Waiver

• (06:07) How to Exercise a Health Waiver?

• (07:24) Conditions for Health Waiver Denial

• (08:53) What Next When Your Visa is Refused

• (13:30) Any Waiver for Parent Visa?

Additional Resources:

• Health Waivers

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

This visa is for young adults who want an extended holiday in Australia and be able to work there to fund their stay. Australia's reciprocal Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program has been fostering stronger links between young people from Australia and around the world since 1975. 

It allows young adults to have a 12 month holiday, during which they can undertake short-term work and study. The WHM program now includes over 40 partner countries or jurisdictions in two visa subclasses, the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa and the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa. 

In this episode, Amitava compares and contrasts key features about the Working & Holiday Visa (417) and Work & Holiday Visa (462).

Keywords:

Working Holiday Maker Program, Working Holiday Visa, Work & Holiday Visa, Subclass 417, Subclass 462, AIBX, ECTA

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Working Holiday Maker Program

• (03:18) Difference Between 417 & 462

• (07:59) How to Apply

• (09:43) Annual Limit on Visas

• (10:17) Second and Third WHM Visa

• (13:41) Working on This Visa / Tax Liability

• (14:35) Pathway to PR

• (15:36) Final Thoughts

Additional Resources:

• ⁠Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Program⁠

• Australia-India Economic Cooperation & Trade Agreement (ECTA)

• Australia-India Business Exchange (AIBX)

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

If you have the business acumen to operate a new or existing business or have the resources to make a significant investment in Australia, then now would be the time to make the move. The Business Innovation & Investment Provisional Visa let's you stay in Australia for up to 5 years if invited to apply, bring eligible members of your family and apply for a permanent residency if certain requirements are met.

Listen to Amitava break it down for you in this episode, and help you explore the various possibilities that suit your situation. He talks about the various streams available to an applicant who wishes to invest their money in Australia or has a business plan that they will commit to see through once invited by the government. The pathways to PR and eligibility requirements for both the applicant and their dependents are delineated as well.

Keywords:

Business Innovation & Investor Visa, Subclass 188, Subclass 888

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Business Innovation Visa

• (07:54) Things to Know Before Applying

• (12:25) Applicant Bona Fides & More

• (18:10) Pathway to PR

• (21:05) Current Changes to Subclass 188

Additional Resources:

• Business Innovation & Investment Visa

• Subclass 888

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

Are you confused about what the right Skilled Occupation would be for you when it's time for your skills assessment?

Can you relate your work experience with one of these:

1. You could have a Bachelors in Commerce or a Degree in Engineering but not Computer Science, and you have been working in IT for a few years.

2. You never went to culinary school but you have years of experiencing working as a chef.

3. You have been a Business Development Manager or Account Manager all your life.

4. Your experience is in a field that has nothing to do with your bachelors degree/ diploma and now you are unsure what occupation is the right one for your application.

If any of the above speaks to you, then give this episode a listen. In this episode Amitava and Arun discuss the common mistakes applicants make when they have to pick their Skilled Occupation for a skills assessment. Amitava shares a lot of valuable information that you could benefit from and can help you get the right assessment for your State Nomination or Skilled Independent Visa.

Keywords:

EOI, Skilled Occupation List, Skills Assessment, VETASSESS, AACA, CAANZ, IPA, AITSL, ANZSCO

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Skilled Occupation List

• (09:53) VETASSESS

• (14:43) Appeal Skills Assessment Outcome

• (17:46) Hospitality Management, Chefs

• (20:03) Final Thoughts & Advice

Additional Resources:

• Australia Computer Society

• Engineers Australia

• VETASSESS

• AITSL

• CAANZ

• TRA

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

A partner visa allows the partner or spouse of a sponsor - an Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizens - to live in Australia. Getting this visa is the first step towards a permanent Partner visa. You apply for the temporary and the permanent partner visas together.

To be eligible for a partner visa, one must demonstrate that they are in a genuine relationship with their partner and it's continuing. The government of Australia will want to ensure that you meet certain relationship requirements, which are slightly different for married couple and for a de facto partner.

In this episode Amitava and Arun discuss the various partner visas available, their eligibility criteria, cost of application and other complexities that my arise during the application. Amitava also shares his experiences with various clients who have been through this 2 year journey, the hurdles they had to overcome to eventually become Australian permanent residents.

Keywords:

Partner Visa, subclass 820, subclass 801, subclass 100, subclass 300, subclass 309

Main Topics:

• (00:00) - Partner Visa

• (03:51) - Relationship Requirements

• (07:45) - Visa Cost

• (08:41) - Relationship Assessment to Curtail Wait Time

• (10:35) - On Shore vs Off Shore Application

• (12:43) - Review for Rejected Applications

• (15:42) - Change in Relationship with Sponsor

• (18:39) - Recognizing Online Marriage, Arranged Marriage

Additional Resources:

• Partner visa (subclass 820)

• Partner visa (subclass 801)

• ⁠Partner visa (subclass 309)

• ⁠Partner visa (subclass 100)

• ⁠Partner visa (subclass 300)

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠

Episode Summary:

Australia's migration program was introduced to the world in 1994. Since then it has become home to millions of people from around the world who have moved here to play their trade and a better & safer future. There are now, as a proportion of the population, more people living in Australia who were born overseas than at any other time in the last 130 years.

A fairly large number of highly skilled migrants are drawn to the land down under. But many struggle to navigate the vast landscape of the every changing and complex migration system. Applicants applying for a visa struggle with the PR process: lodging an Expression of Interest, Skills Assessment, English Language Proficiency Tests etc.

In this episode Amitava answers the most frequently asked questions about the PR process. We cover a range of topics that cover many visa categories: lodging EOI, skills assessment, IELTS, bringing spouse or partner into the country, living and working in regional areas, getting sponsored by an employer in Australia, business investment for a pathway to PR and more.

If you are considering moving to Australia as a student, skilled worker, business owner, or investor and would like to understand the various pathways available for permanent residence, then think of this podcast as a primer for it. It clearly delineates the migration program and Amitava shares his valuable insights about it as a registered MARA agent.

Keywords:

Skilled Migration, EOI, subclass 189, subclass 190, Australian Computer Society, VETASSESS, ANZSCO, Engineers Australia, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Regional Migration, Partner Visa

Main Topics:

• (00:00) Skilled Migration

• (10:40) Skills Assessment

• (13:23) IELTS / PTE

• (14:16) Regional Migration

• (18:31) Employer Nomination

• (20:28) Partner Visa

• (23:02) Business Visa

Additional Resources:

• Australian Computer Society

• VETASSESS

• Engineers Australia

- Links -

If you are seeking immigration advice, would like to have a discussion about your application, or any other matter related to your PR call us at +61 415 882 542.

Amitava Deb | ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

For Debika Migration Services:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠DMS YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

If you have any feedback or suggestions on future topics you'd like us to explore, contact us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠