Are you a fishing company with a shortage of skilled workers? The Fishing Industry Labour Agreement can help! At Migration Unity, we specialize in assisting employers in the fishing industry to sponsor skilled overseas workers, addressing the crucial need for labor to support Australia’s economy.
The fishing industry plays a vital role in the country’s economic landscape, and with this agreement, you can find the skilled workforce you require to thrive and succeed.
This blog aims to provide valuable information to fishing industry companies interested in hiring overseas workers. We will outline the key requirements, visa options, occupation eligibility, English language proficiency, skills and qualifications, salary considerations, and age restrictions.
Fishing Industry Labour Agreement Visa Options:
As an employer, you have the following visa options to sponsor skilled overseas workers:
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) (after a three-year transition period)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494)
Occupation Eligibility:
The Fishing Industry Labour Agreement allows you to nominate workers in the following occupations based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO):
- Deck Hand (ANZSCO 899211)
- Fishing Hand (ANZSCO 899212)
- Master Fisher (ANZSCO 231211)
- Ship’s Engineer (fishing industry – code 070499)
- Ship’s Master (ANZSCO 231213)
- Ship’s Officer (ANZSCO 231214)
- Seafood Process Worker (ANZSCO 831313) (available in Category 2 and 3 regional locations only)
English Language Proficiency:
Skilled overseas workers nominated as Deck Hands or Fishing Hands must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. The required minimum IELTS scores or equivalent for different visa subclasses and regional categories are as follows:
Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482):
- Category 1, 2, and 3 regional locations: IELTS overall score of at least 4.5, with no minimum score for each component, or equivalent.
Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186):
- Category 1, 2, and 3 regional locations: IELTS overall score of at least 5.0, with a score of at least 4.5 in each component, or equivalent.
Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494):
- Category 2 and 3 regional locations: IELTS overall score of at least 5.0, with no minimum score for each component, or equivalent.
Skills, Qualifications, and Experience:
To meet the occupation requirements, skilled overseas workers must possess the qualifications and experience specified in the ANZSCO for their respective occupations. The requirements are outlined as follows:
Master Fisher, Ship’s Engineer (fishing industry), Ship’s Master, Ship’s Officer:
- Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482): Category 1 regional locations require an IELTS overall score of at least 5.0, with a score of at least 4.5 in each component. Category 2 and 3 regional locations have no minimum component scores.
- Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186): Category 1, 2, and 3 regional locations require an IELTS overall score of at least 5.0, with a score of at least 4.5 in each component.
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494): Category 2 and 3 regional locations have no minimum component scores.
Deck Hands and Fishing Hands:
- At least 2 years of recent relevant overseas experience or 1 year of relevant Australian experience, evidenced by a signed sea-time or log book.
- Safety and rescue certificates compliant with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended.
- First aid certificate awarded within the 12 months prior to nomination, or attainment of an Australian first aid certificate within 1 year of commencing work.
Salary Considerations:
Employers must meet the salary requirements specified for the visa programs. Skilled overseas workers must be employed on a full-time basis, and their earnings should not be less than what an equivalent Australian worker would receive for the same work at the same location. In Category 3 regional locations, earnings can be equal to or greater than 90% of the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT).
Age Restrictions:
There is no age limit for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482). However, applicants working in Category 1 regional areas must meet standard age requirements for the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494). Applicants working in Category 2 and 3 regional areas must be under 55 years of age at the time of application for these visas.
Conclusion
The Fishing Industry Labour Agreement provides fishing industry companies with an avenue to hire skilled overseas workers to meet labour demands.
By following the guidelines and meeting the specified requirements, employers can sponsor workers in various occupations. It is important to consider visa options, occupation eligibility, English language proficiency, skills and qualifications, salary obligations, and age restrictions when planning to hire skilled overseas workers.
For more detailed information and assistance, it is recommended to contact our expert team of registered migration agents.
