There is a continuing global need for more stable solutions for refugees and the need for international protection to ensure that refugees that have been provided lawful stay in another country will be protected in these countries.
Due to this ongoing need, the Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia has announced that Australia has or is piloting a range of initiatives that may potentially be considered complementary pathways for refugees.
At this time, Australia is welcoming migrant workers and it is an optimum time to apply.
Community Refugee Settlement and Integration Pilot (CRISP)
The ‘CRISP’ program allows for a group of five or more adult volunteers to provide 12 months of upfront support to a refugee household once they arrive in Australia. The Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia train and support the volunteers and connect them with refugee households.
To be considered as a refugee participant, you will need to be identified as requiring urgent need of resettlement by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which then allows you to be referred into the CRISP program by the Australian government. This program is designed for refugee households and does not assist individual refugees.
Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement Pilot (SRLAP)
The Australian Government in collaboration with Talent Beyond Boundaries piloted the ‘SRLAP’ program which aims to provide skilled refugees with a pathway to live and work in Australia. Australian business are able to utilise the Labour Agreement to sponsor skilled refugees to work in their business.
Before an Australian business can apply for a Labour Agreement under the SRLAP program, they must receive written endorsement from Talent Beyond Boundaries.
An important concession under this scheme is that Skills Assessment and proof of onerous work experience for the occupation is not required.
Australian employers can sponsor an approved skilled overseas worker, permanently or temporarily, under the following visa programs:
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) (subclass 494) visa program with a permanent pathway to a Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) available after three years
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa program on a direct entry basis
Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa.
The following occupations are now available for businesses seeking to sponsor workers under a Skilled Refugee Labour Agreement for any of the above employer sponsored visas. These include almost all the skilled occupations accepted by the Department of Home Affairs for migration.
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).
33 additional occupations listed in Table 1 below.
For further information and assistance please contact:
O’Sullivan and Ruffilli, Barristers, Solicitors, Notaries and Immigration Lawyers
175 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy VIC 3065
03 9416 3463
email@osullivanandruffilli.com.au
Department of Home Affairs, Helping Refugees (05 June 2023) <https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/settling-in-australia/helping-refugees/get-involved/community-refugee-integration-settlement>
Department of Home Affairs, Skilled migration program (20 April 2022) <https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/recent-changes/skilled-refugee-labour-agreement-pilot-program>