Employer sponsored plans provide services like health care coverage and retirement savings accounts with tax breaks for employees at either no or reduced cost.
South Australian Government has created several employer sponsorship visa pathways for local businesses. These programs enable companies to sponsor migrants for positions they cannot fill locally while also offering concessions from standard skilled migration visa requirements.
What is a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA)?
A DAMA is an agreement between the Australian government and regional state or territory authorities that enables employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for roles that they cannot fill locally. Each region within a DAMA offers its own list of occupations for sponsorship as well as different concessions for workers.
Employer sponsored programs migration Adelaide visa programs are now available across Australia in seven regional areas. Each program is tailored specifically to the labour market needs of its region and allows access to more occupations than usual through standard skilled migration programs, while some occupations even qualify for permanent residency pathways.
The DAMA regime aims to foster regional economic development and growth by helping businesses attract and retain top overseas talent. It features an adaptable agreement-based framework which enables regions to adapt quickly in response to changing circumstances.
Employers wishing to utilise DAMA must apply and seek endorsement by their designated area representative (DAR). Once received, this DAR reviews it thoroughly before issuing an endorsement letter which the employer then notifies directly to the Department.
An experienced migration expert can assist in determining if your company qualifies for a DAMA visa, prepare, and submit an endorsement application, negotiate terms with DAR representatives and government representatives as well as ensure you meet any other DAMA-specific requirements such as TSMIT requirements or annual salary rate requirements.
What is a Skilled Migration Nomination Stream?
There are various state and territory nomination streams available to employers who want to sponsor skilled workers for regional workforce gaps that cannot be filled by locals alone. Each stream has different requirements that must be fulfilled for sponsorship – this may require them to complete various stages of migration processes for sponsorship to proceed successfully.
Employer sponsored programs migration Adelaide enables employers to sponsor overseas skilled workers for up to two years (or four in cases requiring international trade obligations), while medium-term sponsorship provides Australian businesses a pathway for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) if they’re unable to source an eligible candidate; permanent visa applicants can then file citizenship applications after three years have elapsed.
Short- and medium-term streams both require occupations to be listed on the Department of Home Affairs list of eligible occupations for immigration purposes, in addition to fulfilling other visa criteria like TSMIT and Annual Market Salary Rate requirements. Furthermore, an ENS visa imposes additional criteria, such as having to meet one-off training levy obligations on businesses.
Supporting Innovation in South Australia (SISA) Temporary Activity visa is intended for high-performing international graduates looking to invest their expertise into regional growth industries such as agribusiness, health and aged care, hospitality tourism and mining and construction. Furthermore, this program may offer concessions or waivers not available through standard skilled migration visa programs.
What is a Regional Sponsored Migration Stream (RSMS)?
The Regional Skilled Migration Scheme Visa (Subclass 187) is a permanent visa that permits skilled workers to live and work in regional Australia. There are three general eligibility requirements, with additional criteria depending on which stream you apply under. To be eligible for an RSMS labour agreement stream visa application you must have been employed temporarily on either a 457 or 482 Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa for at least two years with one of your employers agreeing to sponsor you for future TSS applications.
Additionally, both the RSMS labour agreement and direct entry streams require that applicants obtain Australian qualifications in their nominated occupations before beginning their RSMS visa journey – otherwise it could be cancelled by Department of Immigration.
Employer sponsored programs migration Adelaide has proven effective at filling local labour shortages but has fallen short of reaching its full potential due to employer aversion toward employing migrants. To address this, the Migration Legislation Amendment (Integrity of Regional Migration Schemes) Bill 2000 was revised. This should make it simpler for regional businesses to employ migrants; and more likely that their nominated occupation will remain with them throughout their RSMS visa term.