Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra

30/10/2024

𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗯𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘅 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗥𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱: 24th October 2024. The next invitation round - before 6 Dec 2024

29/10/2024

NSW are now accepting applications for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) Pathway 1 and Pathway 3.

We are pleased to announce the opening of the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) - Pathway 1 and Pathway 3 for the 2024-25 program year.

Below is a summary of the key updates:

Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 1 - Work in Regional NSW
All occupations that are eligible for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) can apply under Pathway

1.To apply under this pathway, you must be currently working in your nominated (or closely related) occupation in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past six months with a single employer based in regional NSW.

You must also be paid the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold salary rate from your qualifying employer in your nominated (or closely related) occupation at the time of application.

We removed the requirement to live-in-NSW for Pathway 1, providing greater flexibility for applicants living in border towns.

Detailed eligibility criteria for Pathway 1 is available on our website. Please review these to ensure you meet the requirements before applying.

2. Subclass 491 Visa Pathway 3 – Regional NSW Graduate:

To apply under this pathway, you must have completed a bachelor's degree or above from an education institution located in a designated regional area of NSW.

Your qualifying study in regional NSW must be eligible to claim points for study in Regional Australia as per the Points table for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491).

Your qualifying study must be related to your nominated (or closely related) occupation and have been completed within the 2 years immediately before applying for NSW nomination. Please visit our website for a full list of eligibility requirements for Pathway 3.

https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) A points-tested provisional visa for skilled workers to live and work in regional NSW. Common Questions About Skilled VisasAustralian Department of Home Affairs On this pageEligibility Criteria - See belowHow to apply - Applications for subclass 491 Pathway....

25/10/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!
VISA GRANTS - SC 500 [STUDENT VISA]
NOMINATION APPROVALS - ACT 491 & 190
VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra

L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

16/10/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

STANDARD BUSINESS SPONSOR [SBS] APPROVALS
TEMPORARY SKILLS SHORTAGE [SC 482] NOMINATION APPROVAL
NOMINATION APPROVALS - ACT 491 & 190
VISA GRANTS - SC 500 [STUDENT VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]
VISA GRANTS - SC 155 [RESIDENT RETURN]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

16/07/2024

The FY 2024-25 ACT allocation is 1,800 nomination places:

ACT permanent 190 nomination: 1000 places
ACT provisional 491 nomination: 800 places

Invitation round: The next invitation round will be held before 31 August 2024.

19/06/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

ACT 491 NOMINATION APPROVALS
VISA GRANTS - SC 500 [STUDENT VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 408 [TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra

L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

13/06/2024

TEMPORARY VISA HOLDERS - FEEL FREE TO WALK IN !!

12/06/2024

Ending ‘visa hopping’ in the migration system.

A key commitment in the Migration Strategy, released last year, was to restrict ‘visa hopping’ - ending the loopholes that allow students and other temporary visa holders to continuously extend their stay in Australia, in some cases indefinitely.

As noted in the Migration Strategy, the numbers of international students staying in Australia on a second, or subsequent student visa has grown by over 30 per cent to more than 150,000 in 2022–23.

Peter McDonald, a renowned Australian demographer, recently said that severely curtailing visa hopping by accepting fewer visa applications from people already in the country would better manage population growth than cuts to the permanent migration intake.
The Government has already taken action to address this, by using no further stay conditions on visitor visas and through the Genuine Student requirement implemented in March which has stopped thousands of students from hopping from student visa to student visa unless there is credible course progression. This complements more than a dozen other policies already implemented that are helping restore integrity in the international student system, such as ending unrestricted work rights and the former Government’s COVID visa.

On 1 July, the Albanese Government is taking this a step further.

Firstly, Visitor Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. The visitor to student pathway has become increasingly prevalent, with over 36,000 applications since 1 July 2023 to the end of May 2024.
This measure closes a pathway that has been used to attempt to subvert the Government’s strengthened offshore student visa integrity measures.

Secondly, Temporary Graduate Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. In their recent Graduates in Limbo report, the Grattan Institute found that 32 per cent of Temporary Graduate Visa holders are returning to study when their visa expires in order to prolong their stay in Australia.

This change makes it clear that graduates should be finding skilled jobs and becoming permanent residents, or departing the country when they are more likely to become ‘permanently temporary’.

These changes support a range of other changes that are being implemented for Temporary Graduate visa holders on 1 July. These include significantly shorter post-study work rights, reduced age limits from 50 to 35 years of age, and increased English language requirements which were implemented in March.
Together, these changes will continue to reduce net overseas migration, with the Government on-track to halve net overseas migration by next financial year.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security Clare O’Neil
“The migration system we inherited was completely broken, and our goal is to build a smaller, better planned, more strategic migration system that works for Australia.

“Our Migration Strategy outlines a clear plan to close the loopholes in international education and this is the next step in delivering that plan.
“We need a migration system which delivers the skills we need, but doesn’t trade in rorts, loopholes and exploitation.”

29/05/2024

Canberra Matrix Invitation Round: 21 May 2024

Canberra residents
Matrix nominating Small Business Owners
190 nominations: 4 invitations
190 minimum matrix score: 125
491 nominations: 6 invitations
491 minimum matrix score: 105
Matrix nominating 457 / 482 visa holders
190 nominations: 8 invitations
491 nominations: 2 invitations
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations
190 nominations: 54 invitations
491 nominations: 110 invitations
Overseas applicants
Matrix nominating Critical Skill Occupations:
190 nominations: 16 invitations
491 nominations: 94 invitations

21/05/2024

ACT Invitation round commenced.

20/05/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

ACT NOMINATION APPROVAL - SC 491
VISA GRANTS - SC 500 [STUDENT VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 408 [TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 600 [VISITOR VISA]


For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
ZEN Migration & Education Services

L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

15/05/2024

Some positive news!! 2024–25 Migration Program.

Total Places: 185,000
Skill Stream: 132,200
Family Stream: 52,500
Distinguish Talent Stream: 300

Employer Sponsored Visas: Increased to 44,000

- State/Territory Nominated Visas: Increased to 33,000

- Skilled Independent Visas: Reduced to 16,900

14/05/2024

The Budget Highlights:

Net overseas migration rate to be halved as Albanese government reforms system

After a record post-Covid growth rate, Australia’s net overseas migration rate is set to stabilise and then dramatically decrease.

Highly skilled migrants will be targeted while the total migration intake is slashed over coming years, as the government tries to reduce pressure on the stretched housing sector while building out its Future Made in Australia plan.

After a record net overseas migration intake of 528,000 in 2022-23, Treasury is forecasting that figure will decline to 395,000 in 2023-24, before tapering off even further to 260,000 in the coming financial year.

The permanent migration program will be capped at 185,000 places in 2024-25, with 132,200 places allocated to the skill stream to “help address Australia’s long-term skill needs”.

Australia’s net migration intake will dramatically reduce over the coming years, with skilled migrants sought out.

Visa changes:
A new National Innovation visa will be established to replace the current Global Talent visa from later this year, aimed at targeting “exceptionally talented migrants who would drive growth in sectors of national importance”.

The government will also reduce the work experience requirement for the temporary skill shortage visa, down from two years to one, for all applications from the end of this year.

A new mobility arrangement for skilled early-professional Indian nationals will cost the budget $15m this year, increasing to $165m by 2027-28, to provide a new mobility pathway for 3000 graduates with specific knowledge or skills allowing them to live and work in Australia for up to two years.

The government has also introduced a new ballot process for the Work and Holiday visa program for China, Vietnam and India from the coming financial year, designed to mange program demand.

The budget will provide finding for visa processing, which Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil would ensure the government “continues to deliver on priorities”.

“Including applying additional scrutiny to international student visa applications and providing streamlined processing for skilled workers, such as in healthcare professions,” Ms O’Neil said.

The government will spend $115.6m over the coming four years to address “extremely high migration backlogs” in the federal courts, including establishing two migration hubs solely dedicated to hearing migration and protection matters.

Internal movement:

The budget forecasts significant internal migration over the coming years.

In the coming financial year, an estimated net 23,000 people are forecast to leave NSW, while 2900 are set to leave South Australia, 2100 will leave the Northern Territory, 700 will leave Tasmania and 300 will leave the ACT.

Queensland will be the biggest benefactor of internal migration, with the population forecast to increase by 23,000 in the coming financial year. An additional 3100 people will move to Victoria and 3000 will move to WA.

Over the next few years, NSW will lose more than 20,000 residents annually, while Queensland will keep reaping the rewards.

08/05/2024

BREAKING !!

From 10 May 2024, the amount of money that Student and Student Guardian visa applicants need to have to be eligible for the visa is increasing.

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

10/04/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

VISA GRANTS - SC 190 [SKILLED NOMINATED]
[VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE]
VISA GRANTS - SC 408 [TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA]
VISA GRANTS - SC 600 [VISITOR VISA]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra

L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

03/04/2024

Update - NSW Pathway 1 requirement changes;

The NSW Government has announced an update to the nomination criteria for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1. This update will make the pathway more accessible to skilled workers living and working in regional NSW.

Previously, applicants for Pathway 1 were required to have been living and working in a designated regional area of NSW for at least 12 months with a single regional NSW-based employer. This requirement has now been reduced to 6 months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, opening up opportunities for those who have been contributing to the regional economy and communities for six months.

If you are a skilled worker living and working in regional NSW, you may now be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1.

For more information, please visit the NSW Government website (https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration).

The NSW Government can nominate individuals for business, investor and skilled migrants.

27/03/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!
VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE]
VISA GRANTS - SC 408 [TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA]


For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra

L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

21/03/2024

Breaking !!
English Language Requirement Changes

19/03/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE]
VISA GRANTS - SC 408 [TEMPORARY ACTIVITY VISA]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

15/03/2024

Genuine Student Requirement

15/02/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

VISA GRANTS - SC 190 [ SKILLED NOMINATED]
VISA GRANTS - SC 491 [SKILLED WORK REGIONAL]
VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TEMPORARY GRADUATE]
VISA GRANTS - SC 600 [VISITOR]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

07/02/2024

Congratulations to our valued clients !!
VISA GRANTS - SC 190 [SKILLED NOMINATED]
VISA GRANTS - SC 600 [VISITOR]


For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

02/11/2023

Congratulations to our valued clients !!

VISA GRANTS - SC 485 [TR]
VISA GRANTS - SC 600 [Visitor]



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au

30/10/2023

Congratulations to our valued clients !!
VISA GRANTS - SC 491



For more information:
0410756136 - 02 51362297
Zen Migration & Education Services Canberra
L1, Suite 9, 54 Benjamin Way Belconnen ACT 2617
[email protected]
www.zenmigration.com.au