Latest Changes to the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement
What is the Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA)?
The Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA) is a framework that allows religious institutions in Australia to sponsor overseas workers, specifically Ministers of Religion and Religious Assistants, to occupy positions that local employees cannot fill.
What recent changes have been made to the MoRLA?
Recent updates have streamlined the MoRLA, introducing faster pathways to permanent residence (PR) and updated application settings. Until the online application form is modified, applicants should enter “n/a” in the nominee section to proceed with their submissions.
When will the updated MoRLA request form be available?
The Department expects updates to the MoRLA request form in ImmiAccount to be available in early 2025.
What are the standard requirements for a MoRLA?
Australian Registered Business: Must be a religious institution under the Migration Regulations with evidence of charitable status.
Good Standing: Organizations must provide details regarding any Royal Commission involvement to address child protection concerns.
Labour Market Need: Organizations are exempt from labour market testing (LMT) but must explain why the position cannot be filled by an Australian worker.
Are there Special Considerations for Reliance on Overseas Workers?
This requirement will generally not be assessed unless there are significant concerns, given the typically low number of overseas workers requested under the MoRLA.
What are the Eligible Occupations for the MoRLA?
Eligible occupations include:
What are the salary requirements for these occupations at MoRLA?
For Ministers of Religion
Standard skilled visa salary requirements apply, with the option to include non-monetary benefits valued at 10% when calculating the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR).
If a concessional salary applies due to a vow of poverty or service, overseas workers may be considered to meet salary requirements.
For Religious Assistants
The same salary requirements apply, but no concessions can be made based on vows of poverty or service.
What are the skills and qualifications required?
For Ministers of Religion
To qualify, the nominee as a Minister of Religion must have:
Be ordained or profess a religious life or possess equivalent accreditation.
Hold qualifications equivalent to a relevant Australian Qualification Framework (AQF) bachelor's degree or have completed at least 5 years of relevant structured training.
If neither of the above is met, they must have 5 years of work experience in the nominated occupation.
For Religious Assistants
Religious Assistants must acquire:
Relevant qualifications equivalent to an AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4), or
At least 2 years of relevant structured training, or
2 years of relevant work experience in the nominated role.
What are the English language requirements for MoRLA?
Applicants must meet standard English language requirements for:
Skills In Demand (SID) (subclass 482) visa (replaced the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa), or
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) direct entry stream visa, or
Have specific IELTS scores depending on the visa stream.
Overseas workers in cloistered or monastic environments are exempt from demonstrating English proficiency.
What are the pathways to permanent residence under MoRLA?
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (Subclass 186) visa (TRT stream) is eligible after 2 years of employment while holding a Skills in Demand (SC 482) visa.
Direct Entry ENS visas are available for those in senior Minister of Religion roles (e.g., Archbishop) who have been ordained for at least 5 years and possess a postgraduate degree or equivalent training.
Is there An age requirement for the MoRLA?
There are no age requirements for the Skills In Demand visa (Subclass 482).
When submitting their application, ENS visa nominees must be no more than 60 years old.
What additional considerations are there for the MoRLA?
The Department will not consider a MoRLA application if any immigration matter for a nominee is pending.
Salaries must be paid from the organisation's Australian bank account.
The streamlined MoRLA offers religious institutions a more efficient pathway to sponsor overseas workers, ensuring that positions requiring specific religious roles can be filled while maintaining compliance with Australian immigration standards. Understanding these changes is crucial for both organisations and prospective nominees navigating the application process.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help?
Updating your relationship status with the Department is straightforward, but ensuring that you provide accurate and timely information is key. Ensure that your immigration records reflect your current situation, helping to prevent any future complications with your visa or residency status. If you are in a situation where it is too late, speak with one of our lawyers at Agape Henry Crux for professional advice and guidance on your visa matter. Our Accredited Specialists in Immigration Law are specialised in handling highly complex matters. You may schedule an appointment 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. We can also help you arrange an interpreter if this isn't your language.
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