New Visa Pathway for Pilots - Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot Program - UK/Australia

The Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP) is a new visa pathway that allows eligible UK citizens to enter Australia. The IECSEP offers two streams:

• Early Careers stream – stays for up to one year for tertiary-qualified 21-45-year-olds who have worked a minimum of three (3) months in their current role and working in occupations defined at the ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3.

• Innovation stream – stays up to three years for highly skilled and experienced innovators working in occupations defined at the ANZSCO Skill Level 1.

The IECSEP is currently a 2-year pilot program. Places will be limited to 1,000 in 2023-2024 and a further 2,000 places in 2024-2025.

Applications are open now with the current round closing at 11:59 pm on Monday, 20 November 2023.

IECSEP applicants need to have a confirmed job in Australia to be able to apply and must remain with this employer for the duration of the visa. They also must demonstrate:

• their UK citizenship and;

• they have adequate financial means to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Australia ($5,000 AUD plus the fare to where the applicant is going after Australia).

Applications to participate in the IECSEP will be processed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (‘DFAT’). Successful applicants will be provided a letter of support by DFAT. This letter will enable the applicant to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa (Government Agreement stream).

Early Careers Stream – Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Early Careers stream applicants must:

• be aged between 21 and 45 (inclusive) at the time of application

• hold tertiary qualifications

• have worked for at least 3 months in their current role, and the prospective employment in Australia must be relevant to the applicant's field of work in their current role

• have prospective employment in Australia in an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Levels 1, 2 or 3

Innovation Stream – Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Innovation stream applicants must:

• have a demonstrated contribution to innovation

• be highly skilled

• be highly experienced

• have prospective employment in Australia in an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Level 1

• More information for applicants and prospective Australian employers is contained in the IECSEP Guidebook.

How Can Agape Henry Crux Help 

If you believe that this program applies to you and would like to apply for this visa, 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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