New Pathways for UK Citizens To Live and Work in Australia - Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot
What Is the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP)?
IECSEP represents a new immigration pathway specifically designed for eligible UK citizens seeking opportunities to live and work in Australia as part of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. This innovative initiative aims to facilitate the exchange of skills and expertise between each country, with a particular focus on individuals in the early stages of their careers and those who have demonstrated exceptional talent and contributions to innovation.
There are two streams under IECSEP:
the Early Careers Skills stream, which will allow participants to undertake a short-term placement, secondment, or intra-corporate transfer for up to one year in Australia.
the Innovation stream, which will allow highly skilled and experienced participants, with a demonstrated contribution to innovation, to undertake opportunities for up to three years in Australia.
The program is wholly administered by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT). Successful IECSEP applicants will be provided with a letter of support by DFAT for the purposes of applying for a Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa Government Agreement stream.
Who is eligible for IECSEP?
The eligibility criteria are mandatory and cannot be waived by DFAT. The eligibility criteria common to both streams are:
the individual holds UK citizenship,
the individual has prospective employment in Australia.
Whilst there is no specific occupation list for the IECSEP, the occupation undertaken for a prospective Australian employer must be defined at the specified ANZSCO Skill Level (between Skill Levels 1 to 3 for the Early Careers stream, or Skill Level 1 for the Innovation stream).
Financial means
Individuals must provide evidence that they have adequate financial means to support themselves for their duration of stay in Australia, and can demonstrate access to a minimum of AUD 5,000 plus enough to cover airfare for departure when the time comes.
The following eligibility criteria are only specific to the Early Careers stream:
are aged between 21 and 45 inclusive at the time of application
tertiary qualifications provided by UK higher and further educational institutions
Individuals must have been working for 3 months or more in their current role. The prospective employment in Australia must be relevant to the field of work in an individual’s current role.
All applicants must have prospective employment in Australia, confirmed through a letter of offer or an employment contract. IECSEP is also open to UK citizens already working in Australia.
What is the benefit of the IECSEP?
The main benefit of being able to access this pilot program is that it gives individuals the ability to work full-time in Australia without having to be sponsored by their employer. This makes them more attractive to prospective Australian employers.
Additionally, without the constraints of a prescribed occupations list, there are more available occupations to nominate than would be typically available through the standard work visa programs.
How to Apply?
IECSEP applications can only be submitted online through the IECSEP online application portal, which is accessed via the DFAT website.
IECSEP is now open for applications. The current round for the Early Careers stream for the first year of the Pilot has been extended and will now close at 11:59 pm (GMT) on Tuesday 30 April 2024.
Round 1 for the Innovation stream for the first year of the Pilot has already closed on 12 February 2024. Round 2 for the Innovation stream for the first year of the Pilot opened on Tuesday 13 February 2024 and will close at 11:59 pm (GMT) on Tuesday 30 April 2024.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you are a UK citizen and have prospective employment in Australia, contact Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law with our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are specialized in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule with one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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