Tim Harper (MARN 0318596) has been appointed by the Migration Institute of Australia (“MIA”) as the only Western Australian representative of the Skilled Migration Policy and Procedure Committee (“Committee”).

The MIA, as the peak professional organisation for Registered Migration Agents, is regularly required to take a position on changes to migration legislation and policy and to make submissions to government inquiries.

Further to our update in January 2012 regarding the proposed changes to the labour market testing criteria for regional certification by the Skilled Migration Western Australia (SMWA), the Regional Certifying Body for Perth, the Pilbara and the Wheatbelt regions, we are pleased to announce that labour market testing is now no longer a requirement for certification under the RSMS by the SMWA.

The Minister of Immigration has announced the following changes to the employer sponsored permanent residency visa program that will come into effect from 1July 2012.

Major changes outlined include: