The Visa of a Lifetime – Skilled Refugee
Gaining a visa for entry into Australia can be life-changing. This is certainly the case for refugees who are fortunate enough to gain a place in the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program.
Visa Solutions Australia has been instrumental in helping some of these refugees and their families gain visas through the Labour Agreement stream.
For many refugees and displaced people in countries around the world, options are limited when it comes to finding work or being able to make a life for themselves and their families.
There are many stories of refugees living in certain countries who have had their freedoms diminished because they are not native to the country where they have asylum. Many refugees are not allowed to buy a house or have a passport. They are also prevented from working in numerous professions.
Maya Assad, a Palestinian refugee in Lebanon struggled to find a job in Lebanon despite being a qualified engineer. Her status as a stateless person resulted in her being discriminated against.
Palestinian refugees have been stateless in Lebanon since 1948. [1]
Fortunately for Ms Assad, she was offered a civil engineering job in Esperance, Western Australia through the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program, which was launched in partnership with the non-government organisation, Talent Without Boundaries. Maya Asaad was the first person to arrive in Australia under the pilot program.
Maya Assad’s story isn’t unique. Just recently, the peak national employer organisation, the Australian Industry Group employed a skilled migrant in a similar situation to Ms Asaad through the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program.
What is the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program?
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program was launched in 2021 by the Australian Government in collaboration with Talent Beyond Boundaries. It is set to run for two years.
The program aims to remove barriers often faced by refugees and other forcibly displaced people when trying to access employer sponsored skilled migration pathways.
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot can be used by Australian employers to sponsor approved skilled overseas workers making it easier to hire skilled professionals and tradespeople from countries such as Lebanon, Jordan and other refugee-hosting countries; a talent pool that is often overlooked.
Skilled overseas workers can be employed on a permanent or temporary basis under the following visa programs.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa program with a pathway to permanent residence (Skilled Regional visa – subclass 191) available after three years
- Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa program on a direct entry basis
- Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visa
All occupations currently listed on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL), Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL), and Regional Occupation List (ROL) as well as an additional 33 occupations are all available for businesses seeking to sponsor workers under the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement. To see a list of occupations, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
Businesses must receive written endorsement from Talent Beyond Boundaries before they can apply for the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program.
The Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program also offers a number of concessions for those applying for the program, including:
- Waiver of skills assessment and minimum work experience requirements
- Reduction of minimum English language requirements to ‘Functional English’
- Waiver of labour market testing requirements
- Increase in age requirements allowing sponsorship of people up to 50 years of age for ENS and SESR visas
- Flexible arrangements for police checks and passports
There are 200 places available in the two-year pilot program giving refugees and displaced people the opportunity to come to Australia with their families to work. Given the limited places, the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program provides a wonderful and unique opportunity for refugees and their families.
The Refugee Council wants the federal government to extend the pilot and increase the number of spots to 500 in 2022-23, to help fill Australia’s skills shortages. [2]
With a Little Help from Visa Solutions
Visa Solutions Australia is a big advocate of the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program. The VSA team has assisted individuals and their families fortunate enough to gain entry to Australia through this pilot program with their visas.
‘Most of the process is similar to a standard visa application through the Labour Agreement stream. The support of TBB and the Department of Home Affairs helps make the process accessible and hopefully, it will continue beyond the trial.
“This visa represents a golden opportunity for refugees and displaced individuals” – Dan Engles, Visa Solutions Managing Director.
About Talent Beyond Boundaries
Talent Beyond Boundaries works with governments to provide skilled migration pathways for refugees. Recognising that refugees often have a wide range of skills yet a lack of opportunities, TBB matches skilled refugees with companies in need of their skills.
Refugees are often qualified as doctors, engineers, skilled trade workers and much more yet live in countries where they don’t have the right to work locally or are unable to access skilled migration programs.
Talent Beyond Boundaries creates safe, legal pathways that enable displaced people to relocate for work and rebuild their lives.
To learn more about the Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot Program or any other aspect of migration contact the Visa Solutions team.
