Page 57 - Tropic Magazine Issue 17

TROPIC • OPINION

Rebecca Macmillan
Registered migration agent
Holding Redlich

Migration changes can be confusing
We are 12 months on from the employer sponsored visa overhaul
and many businesses are still confused about who they can and
cannot sponsor. Amy Eden
This confusion is understandable as the employer sponsored
program is more complex than ever before. Some of the Community Advocate
questions I am regularly asked are:
What visa options are still available?
The subclass 457 visa has been replaced with the Subclass 482 Balance for better
Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) visa. The Employer Nomination
Scheme and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme skill exist, Recovering from a week long celebration for International
with different criteria. Women’s Day (because one day isn’t nearly enough), I
Do I have to advertise the position? am feeling full, inspired and united. It is a privilege to be
Yes. If you do not undertake labour market testing in the surrounded by women who are changing their lives and
required way, your application will be refused and this will result the lives of those around them. Women who are leading
in you losing not only the application charges, the charge to raise the bar for all women. So what is all the
but also the Skilling Australia Fund levy. women’s business about?
Can I sponsor an international student graduate? Despite positive changes, gender inequality persists in our
This all depends on how much work experience the student has. community, restricting women’s full participation in the
For the TSS visa, applicants must have a minimum social, economic and cultural opportunities. 2018 figures
of two years’ work experience while for the permanent residence from the Australian Human Rights Commission indicate that
visas, applicants must have a minimum of three years’ work the gender divide right here in the lucky country is real, and
experience. alarming! Women are paid on average 15.3% less than our
male counterparts and retire with 58% less superannuation. I
Can I help one of my 457/TSS visa holders apply for permanent don’t share these truths to get women burning their bras…
residence? I share in the hope that men and women will acknowledge
This is a difficult question to answer and depends on a number these difference, barriers and realities and collectively stand
of factors. Before agreeing to assist any employee with an united together and be the change.
application for permanent residence, we recommend you obtain Everyday women are coming together, creating communities
advice about their eligibility. of support, understanding and a collective voice to advocate
I need to sponsor an occupation which is not on the either of the change on a broad level and nurture change at a personal
two occupation lists, what can I do? level. I participated in one such community last year, called
In this situation you may be able to apply for a company a Lean In Circle. A circle of shared strength, learning and
specific labour agreement in which you can negotiate with the connection. Just like a rising tide lifts all boats, elevating other
Department of Home Affairs the positions you need to fill. women is actually an act of self-interest; it’s not so lonely at
Alternatively, if your business operates in an area which has the top if you bring others along.
negotiated a Designated Area Migration Agreement, you may be We all have different stories to tell, different experiences to
able to access the skills you need under those arrangements. share. And this applies to the fellas as well. We just need our
Before embarking on your sponsorship journey, we recommend own ‘circle’ to connect and share with. Who will you connect
you obtain advice from a Registered Migration Agent. with to raise the profile of women in Cairns?
Understanding early what you can and cannot do will save you a Invest in women. Invest in the future.
giant headache.
MORE: facebook.com/3mpride
MORE: holdingredlich.com facebook.com/manooracommunitygarden

57 • tropicnow.com.au