Incentives for onshore migrants to fill critical skills shortages and support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. The Australian Government has introduced new incentives to boost the contribution of Australia’s onshore migrant workforce.
Incentive 1 – Faster Migrant Skills Assessment
This incentive offers fast-tracked skills assessments for onshore migrants who have already submitted and paid for an application in a priority occupation and are still awaiting an outcome.
You may be eligible for this incentive if you:
- Were residing in Australia at the time you submitted and paid for your skills assessment application,
- Applied for a skills assessment on or before 28 February 2022,
- Applied for a skills assessment in a priority occupation, and
- Have not received the outcome of your skills assessment application.
This incentive commences on 28 February 2022 and finishes on 17 June 2022. You do not need to apply for this incentive. If eligible for this incentive, the Assessing Authority will automatically fast-track your skills assessment outcome at no additional cost.
Incentive 2 – Skills Assessment Opportunities for Migrants
This incentive offers onshore migrants who live in Australia on a permanent family, partner, humanitarian, or refugee visa a free, fast-tracked skills assessment. It is accessible by migrants who have not had a skills assessment and have skills, qualifications and/or experience in a priority occupation.
A suitable skills assessment outcome can be used to improve their employment options in their nominated occupation through improved employer confidence that they have the skills necessary for working in an Australian workplace.
You may be eligible for this incentive if you:
- Have not previously undergone a skills assessment for the nominated occupation,
- Are residing in Australia at the time of application, and
- Are in Australia on a permanent family, partner, humanitarian or refugee visa granted on or after 1 January 2019.
This incentive commences on 28 February 2022 and finishes in June 2023.
Incentive 3 – Employability Assessments
This incentive aims to improve employment outcomes for skilled migrants working below their skill level. It offers onshore migrants who have previously received a suitable skills assessment in a priority occupation with a free employability assessment and access to subsidised training to acquire the specific skills required in the Australian job market.
These three new incentives will benefit around 9,500 onshore migrants who can access free, fast-tracked skills assessments, free employability assessments and subsided training to improve their employment arrangements.
