As an Australian employer, you might seek ways to leverage early-career talent from the UK. The Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA), which took effect on 31 May 2023, represents a historic trade deal that offers mutual recognition of professional qualifications in the UK and Australian labour market. Under the A-UKFTA, the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP) opens doors for British citizens to embark on a new chapter in their careers in Australia. This article will discuss the IECSEP, its two streams, the eligibility criteria, and the application process.
What Are the IECSEP Streams?
Under IECSEP, there are two distinct streams.
1. Early Careers Skills Stream
The Early Career Skills Stream enables participants to engage in short-term placements, secondments, or intra-corporate transfers in Australia for up to one year.
To qualify for the Early Careers stream, applicants must:
- be aged between 21 and 45 inclusive at the time of application;
- possess tertiary qualifications;
- have a minimum of three months of work experience in their current role, with prospective employment in Australia directly related to their current field of work; and
- secure prospective employment in Australia within an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Levels 1, 2, or 3.
2. Innovation Stream
The Innovative Stream is suited to highly skilled and experienced individuals who:
- have made notable contributions to innovation; and
- offer work opportunities in Australia for up to three years.
To qualify for the Innovation stream, applicants must:
- demonstrate a proven contribution to innovation;
- possess high levels of skill and expertise;
- have substantial professional experience; and
- secure prospective employment in Australia within an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Level 1.
In addition, applicants in both streams must:
- demonstrate their UK citizenship; and
- prove that they possess sufficient financial resources to support themselves throughout their stay in Australia.
This financial support should also encompass a minimum of AU$ 5,000, in addition to covering the cost of their journey after departing Australia.
What is the IECSEP Application Process?
DFAT utilises an online application portal exclusively for IECSEP. The application forms can be found at the:
You must answer all questions on the form and ensure that the application is complete, including all necessary documents. An email confirmation will be automatically sent upon submission.
Once you complete the application, a specialised DFAT assessment team will assess it. To confirm eligibility, DFAT may reach out to:
- prospective Australian employers;
- current employers; and
- tertiary educational institutions.
It is important to note that DFAT will not contact applicants before making these inquiries. DFAT processes Eligible Early Careers Stream applications based on their submission date, while DFAT processes eligible Innovation Stream applications based on merit after the application round concludes. In other words, DFAT assesses the Innovation Stream applications based on the applicant’s ability to demonstrate their contribution to innovation and their high expertise and skill.
Continue reading this article below the formWhen Does the IECSEP Application Process End?
The application round is scheduled to conclude at 11:59 p.m. (GMT) on Monday, November 20, 2023. It is important to note that DFAT reserves the right to close this application round, either for one or both IECSEP streams, earlier than the advertised date.
DFAT will provide a seven-day notice on their webpage prior to the early closure. In addition, the total number of visas available under the IECSEP will be 1,000 in the first year and will increase to 2,000 in the second year of operation. The program will undergo a review during the second year.
DFAT will provide successful applicants with a letter of support that will enable them to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa (Government Agreement stream).
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Key Takeaways
The IECSEP Early Careers Skills Stream enables Australian organisations to engage early-career UK professionals with tertiary qualifications for 12 months. At the same time, the Innovation Stream presents a unique opportunity for highly skilled UK innovators to collaborate with Australian organisations for up to three years. If IECSEP aligns with your Australian organisation’s goals, you should consider discussing potential staffing opportunities with your UK partners or qualified individuals in the UK. Similarly, UK organisations aiming to nurture their staff through IECSEP should reach out to their Australian counterparts for collaboration.
If you need help with accessing the IECSEP program, our experienced immigration lawyers can assist as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.
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