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23 Sep 2022

South Australia’s revamped business: employment visa program opens

  1. Business Innovation and Investment Program – Visa Program Now Open
    • Nominations for South Australia’s visa program titled ‘Business Innovation and Investment Program’ (BIIP) have recently opened. 70 nominations are currently allocated to South Australia, with the potential for further allocations to be made.
    • The BIIP targets quality business owners, investors and entrepreneurs seeking to create sustainable business opportunities in SA.

  2. BIIP – Four Visa Streams
    • Applicants can seek State Government nomination under the BIIP four visa subclasses, including:
      • Business Innovation Stream (188A);
      • Investor Stream (188B);
      • Significant Investor Stream (188C); and
      • Entrepreneur Stream (188E).
  1. Highly Competitive
    • The State Government is expecting the demand for the 70 nomination places to be highly competitive. It has introduced an ‘Intention to Apply’ process for applicants in the 188A stream.

  2. General Skilled Migration
    • South Australia has received an interim allocation of 5,880 places from the Commonwealth, covering in excess of 500 occupations, aiming to address South Australia’s skills shortages.
    • The General Skilled Migration Program opened on 25 August 2022.

  3. Potential changes
    • As recently reported in the media, the Commonwealth Home Affairs Minister (Hon Clare O’Neil MP) may take steps to scrap the Significant Investor Stream (I88C), with questions over the benefits to Australia.
    • In addition, there is speculation that the Federal Government will prioritise skilled worker migration to address Australia’s economy-wide skills shortage.

DMAW Lawyers would be pleased to provide advice on eligibility for the current programs, including the nomination requirements.

Please contact Tom Dachs or Mario Pegoli for further information.

This article provides general commentary only. It is not legal advice. Before acting on the basis of any material contained in this article, seek professional advice.

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