February 10, 2012 - Following extensive discussions and correspondence between BAL Australia and the Department of Immigration, an exception to current policy has been granted to the registration requirements for engineers in Queensland.  When applying for residency applications under the Employment Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), the Department will give exception and consider registration requirements met in full when the applicant provides the following documents:

1. A certified copy of the Registered Professional Engineer of Queensland (RPEQ) card of the supervising engineer; and

2. A letter from the nominating employer confirming that the applicant will carry out professional engineering services under the direct supervision of the named registered professional engineer whose RPEQ card had been provided.

ENS and RSMS processing officers have received updated guidance regarding this exception while permanent policy revisions continue.

BAL Comment:  This exception and eventual policy revision was granted as a result of extensive lobbying from BAL Australia on behalf of its clients.  Considered an excellent outcome for BAL clients, the exception provides some certainty regarding a pathway to permanent residency.  

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in Australia.  For additional information, please contact GlobalVisaGroup@balglobal.com.