July 2021
On 15 June 2021 Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, announced that Australian and the UK had agreed in principle to a Free Trade Agreement.
What will the FTA mean for Australian visas?
It has been reported that there will be greater mobility between Australia and the UK, however it is unclear as to when the final legal text of the FTA will be finalised.
Labour Market Testing
The FTA will make provision for various measures aimed at promoting ease of operation for businesses in the UK and in Australia.
Relevantly, it is reported that such measures will include the waiving of the advertising/labour market testing requirements for businesses wanting to employ a UK national in Australia (in accordance with the International Trade Obligations exemptions that exist for sponsors of visas such as the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa).
Working Holiday Visas
It is anticipated that the age limit for the Working Holiday (subclass 417) visa will be raised to 35 for UK nationals, and that visa holders may be able to stay for up to three years without the existing requirement to undertake regional farm work.
We understand that this change will be introduced within five years of the commencement of the FTA in order to hedge against an immediate potential labour shortage that the Australian agricultural sector may face.
Stay tuned for our next post about the new agricultural visa that is being implemented for nationals of ASEAN countries, reportedly to be introduced by the end of September 2021.
To speak with an experienced, specialist immigration lawyer regarding your Australian visa application or options, please contact us on +61 3 9329 8744 or by email at info@erskinerodan.com.au
