Are you a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician who is looking for opportunities to migrate to Australia? The good news is that there are skilled visa options available for you to be sponsored by an employer in the state of South Australia, with a pathway to permanent residency. What’s more, there are plenty of employers who are ready and waiting to sponsor appropriately skilled workers; and we can help by introducing you to potential sponsors.
Read on to find out more about how plastics moulder machine operators and technicians may qualify for an Australian skilled visa in South Australia.
Before we commence our discussion about the potential visa options that are available to plastics moulder machine operators or technicians in South Australia, let us first introduce you to some of the key elements that come into play when considering your eligibility for a skilled visa.
Important Factors To Consider When Applying For A Skilled Visa
Skilled Occupation List
A key component in determining your eligibility for a skilled visa to Australia is based on whether your occupation is included on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for the relevant skilled visa being considered. It is important to be aware that each skilled visa subclass is subject to a specified SOL, which is designed to respond to skill shortages in various industries and regions across Australia. As labour markets change, so too do the relevant SOLs to reflect pertaining market conditions. It is therefore vital if you are seeking to apply for a skilled visa, that you apply the correct and most up-to-date SOL in assessing your eligibility for a skilled visa.
Certain states and territories in Australia also have their own SOLs which operate outside of the standard SOLs which normally apply. This is the case, for example, if you are applying for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa or a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa under a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) in South Australia (this is explained further below in this article).
And as the SOLs are subject to change at any time, this means that an occupation that may be eligible for nomination today may not be so in the future. If you are eligible for a skilled visa today, the best advice is to apply as early as possible, to avoid the chance that you may no longer qualify for the visa should your selected skilled occupation be removed from the SOL at a future date.
Skills Assessment
In order to be deemed as ‘suitably qualified’ for a nominated occupation under the skilled visa program, you need to demonstrate that you possess the minimum level of skills, qualifications and/or employment experience as prescribed by the migration provisions for the relevant skilled visa class for which you are applying.
This may require you to obtain a positive skills assessment for your nominated occupation (to be completed by a prescribed body). The skills assessment must be within the accepted validity date (which is normally either three years from the date of issue, or on a date earlier if specified in the skills assessment).
You must also obtain the correct type of skills assessment. It is vital that you have a skills assessment that meets the requirements for the visa for which you are applying. For example, some assessing authorities offer a provisional skills assessment for recent graduates of Australian educational institutions who are applying for a Subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visa. A provisional skills assessment issued for this purpose is not a suitable skills assessment for a permanent residence skilled visa application, for example.
In certain instances, such as is the case if you are applying for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa or a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa under a DAMA in South Australia as a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician, you need to obtain a skills assessment from Skilled & Business Migration South Australia (SA). This is called a DAR Skills Assessment by South Australia.
English Language
When applying for a skilled visa, you may also be required to complete a prescribed English language test and achieve a specified minimum test score (exemptions apply in certain cases). Be aware that English test results are valid for a limited period (depending on the class of visa being applied for and the level of English competency required).
Concessions
In some instances, such as in the case of a DAMA, concessions to the standard requirements apply to certain nominated occupations. Concessions may apply, for example, to work experience, English language and age requirements. This is the case if you are applying for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa, a Subclass 482 TSS visa or a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa under a DAMA in South Australia as a plastics moulder machine operator (this is discussed further below in this article).
Australian Immigration For Plastics Moulder Machine Operators, Fabricators, Welders And Technicians
In this article, the latest in our series which looks at the Australian visa options available to selected occupations, we turn our attention to plastics moulder machine operators. We identify the plastics moulder machine operator occupations that are eligible to be nominated for a skilled visa to Australia, how each one is classified and defined in Australia for migration purposes and the potential options for a skilled visa for plastics moulder machine operators or plastics technicians in Australia that may be available for each of these selected nominated occupations, including permanent residency for plastics moulder machine operators or technicians in Australia.
We also recommend that you refer to our first article in this series, where we provide an overview of the possible skilled visa options that may be available to prospective applicants, with links to further detailed information about each skilled visa subclass. We also cover the English language requirements that apply to skilled visas and raise some important points that prospective applicants should be aware of when embarking on this process.
Which Occupations May Qualify For An Australian Skilled Visa?
Before we delve deeper into the visa options for plastics moulder machine operators, let us first examine the framework for classifying occupations for migration law purposes.
Under this system, each nominated occupation is defined based on the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). The ANZSCO occupational classification system provides a general description of each occupation, skill level, registration and/or licensing requirements and the tasks and duties that may be required to be performed as part of each occupation. Each occupation is assigned a unique ANZSCO code, which is used to identify the occupations that are eligible for a skilled visa in Australia.
Also be aware that in certain instances, non-ANZSCO occupations can also be nominated for a skilled visa. The DAMAs that operate in South Australia are an example of where non-ANZSCO occupations may be nominated. In this case, DAMA occupation profiles are available for each such occupation which specify the skill level and job duties that apply.
Next up, how does the ANZSCO apply to plastics moulder machine operators?
Plastics Moulder Machine Operators, Fabricators, Welders And Technicians
Minor Group 711 – Machine Operators
As a starting point, we begin with an overview of the general Machine Operators ANZSCO category (referred to as minor group 711). This encapsulates all occupations contained in this grouping.
ANZSCO General Description: Machine Operators operate stationary machines to process, manufacture, treat and finish a range of products.
ANZSCO Skill level: AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4). At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
Tasks include:
- fixing attachments to machines, setting controls and loading material to be processed
- starting machines, observing operation and adjusting controls to regulate temperature, pressure, intake of raw materials and speed
- sampling output for defects and variations, and adjusting machine settings accordingly
- unloading and storing output
- cleaning and lubricating machines and performing minor repairs
The ANZSCO minor group 711 is next broken down into the following unit groups:
- Unit Group 7111 Clay, Concrete, Glass and Stone Processing Machine Operators
- Unit Group 7112 Industrial Spraypainters
- Unit Group 7113 Paper and Wood Processing Machine Operators
- Unit Group 7114 Photographic Developers and Printers
- Unit Group 7115 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators
- Unit Group 7116 Sewing Machinists
- Unit Group 7117 Textile and Footwear Production Machine Operators
- Unit Group 7119 Other Machine Operators
Set out below are the specific occupations that are contained within the ANZSCO minor group 711 which may be nominated in South Australia for an Australian skilled visa:
Unit Group – 7115 Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators
There are two occupations included in the Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators ANZSCO group (which may be nominated), with the following common elements:
ANZSCO General Description: Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators operate machines to manufacture and finish plastic and rubber products.
ANZSCO Skill level: AQF Certificate II or III (ANZSCO Skill Level 4).
At least one year of relevant experience may substitute for the formal qualifications listed above. In some instances, relevant experience and/or on-the-job training may be required in addition to the formal qualification.
The following is a real-life example of the minimum experience and qualifications that are needed to perform the occupation of a plastics moulder machine operator in South Australia:
- Solid work history and experience (more than three years) working as a Geomembrane Technician;
- Current White Card or equivalent;
- Ability to understand and follow instructions;
- Be a recognised team player and have the ability to work in a team based environment;
- Commitment and a good attitude towards safety and culture;
- Ability to perform physically demanding tasks such as manual labour;
- Ability to work under pressure;
- Willingness to grow and develop within a dynamic, changing environment;
- Understand and work to all National, State and local (Fabtech) Occupational Health, Safety and Environment (OHS&E) requirements;
- Ability to perform quality welding and construction techniques.
ANZSCO tasks include:
- operating controls to regulate temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation
- measuring and loading materials, items and ingredients for mixing into machines and feeding mechanisms
- monitoring operation, regulating material supply and adding chemicals and colorants to mixture
- threading uncoated wire and cable through plastic coating machines, around take-up reels and through dies and cooling chambers
- laying casings, beads, ply and rubber sheets on moulds
- operating rollers to remove air
- operating vulcaniser presses and controlling curing
- examining output for defects and conformity to specifications
- performing minor repairs and maintaining production records
A description of each occupation in the Plastics and Rubber Production Machine Operators ANZSCO group which can be nominated in South Australia are listed below.
| ANZSCO Occupation | ANZSCO code | ANZSCO Description
|
| Plastics Fabricator or Welder | 711513 | Operates machines to measure, cut, shape, fit and assemble plastics materials to produce plastic products.
|
| Plastics Production Machine Operator (General) | 711514 | Operates extruding, injection moulding and blow moulding machines to produce finished plastic products.
|
Tasks And Duties That May Be Performed By Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricators, Welders And Technicians
Set out below are some further examples of the types of tasks and duties that may be performed by a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician in Australia (based on a real-life position description of a Master Seamer/Geomembrane Welder in South Australia):
- Review project drawings/instructions to ensure construction requirements are understood
- Set-up wedge welders and extrusion welders and document via set-up log
- Ensure that the correct material is used for specific jobs
- Operate complex welding tools including wedge welders and extruding machines that require regulation of temperature, pressure, speed and flow of operation
- Ensure correct methodology is used to fabricate geomembrane materials including measurements, cutting, shaping and fitting
- Report any faulty equipment to the Leading Hand or Supervisor and undertake repairs of equipment. Perform both preventative and corrective maintenance of welding equipment
- Perform geomembrane welding unsupervised, using products including HDPE, Polypropylene, LLDPE and any other applicable products
- Test the integrity of all plastic welds and ensure all welds meet the minimum requirements
- Assist fill sandbags and deploy sheets of material
Now that we have an understanding of the tasks and duties that a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician would perform, as well as the skills, qualifications and experience that are needed to perform this occupation, we now move on to discuss the visa options that are available to a plastics moulder machine operator or technician in South Australia.
Skilled Visa Options In South Australia For Plastics Moulder Machine Operators, Fabricators, Welders And Technicians
Designated Area Migration Agreement
Plastics production machine operators and technicians may be sponsored by an employer in South Australia under a type of labour agreement called a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).
So, what exactly is a DAMA?
A DAMA is an agreement that is executed between the Commonwealth and a regional State or Territory Government authority to enable an employer in that region to sponsor skilled or semi-skilled overseas workers for positions which cannot be filled from within the local labour market. A DAMA provides access to more overseas workers than the standard skilled migration program. And because a DAMA operates under an agreement-based framework, it provides greater flexibility for individual regions within Australia to respond to their unique economic and labour market conditions.
Each DAMA covers a defined regional area of Australia and is based on a two-stage process. At the first stage, a five-year deed of agreement is executed between the Commonwealth Government and the region’s representative (called a Designated Area Representative or DAR). Each DAMA contains a range of occupations as well as agreed to terms and concessions for skilled visa eligibility criteria, as negotiated between the parties to the agreement.
The following two DAMAs are currently in force in South Australia:
- The Adelaide City Technology and Innovation Advancement Agreement – this covers the Adelaide metropolitan region and focuses on Adelaide’s high-tech growth industries, with occupations in the defence, space, advanced manufacturing and technology industries; and
- The South Australian Regional Workforce Agreement – this covers the entire state of South Australia, with occupations in the regional high growth industries in agribusiness, forestry, health and social services, aged care, hospitality, tourism, mining and the construction sectors.
Under the South Australian Regional Workforce Designated Area Migration Agreement, you can be sponsored by an employer anywhere the state of South Australia in either of the following occupations:
- Plastics Fabricator or Welder (ANZSCO code: 711513); or
- Plastics Production Machine Operator (General) (ANZSCO code: 711514).
The second stage of the DAMA process requires individual employers in the region entering into their own agreements with the South Australian Government, which is represented by Skilled & Business Migration South Australia (SA), acting in its capacity as a DAR for this purpose, in accordance with the main agreement for the region. The resulting outcome of this process is a DAMA Labour Agreement between the Australian Government and endorsed employers operating within the relevant region. Each DAMA generally lasts for five years.
As noted, Skilled & Business Migration SA undertakes the role of Designated Area Representative (DAR) in South Australia and is thereby responsible for endorsing employers seeking to access overseas workers through the Designated Area Migration Agreements in that state.
Under a DAMA Labour Agreement, the endorsed employer may sponsor an agreed number of overseas workers for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (under the Labour Agreement stream).
Although the initial visa granted to approved overseas workers is a temporary one, certain DAMA Labour Agreements provide a pathway to permanent residence in Australia via a Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa in certain occupations after a prescribed minimum period, provided the applicant meets the eligibility requirements.
So, how does the Subclass 494 visa work?
Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) Visa
The Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa is a regional employer sponsored provisional visa, which provides a pathway to permanent residence with the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa after three years, if you meet certain requirements at that time. As a subclass 491 visa holder, you are required to live and work in a designated regional area of Australia. You must also be sponsored by a regional employer. The term of the subclass 494 regional sponsorship visa is five years.
As a SESR visa holder, you are able to travel to and from Australia on an unrestricted basis. You can apply and be granted a SESR visa either onshore or whilst you are outside Australia.
Subclass 494 skilled work regional visa holders are also eligible for Medicare, Australia’s public healthcare system.
The SESR visa program consists of the following two streams:
- Employer Sponsored stream – this stream is designed for employers in regional Australia to hire skilled overseas workers to work in specified skilled occupations for five years; and
- Labour Agreement stream – this stream is for employers in regional Australia who have a labour agreement with the Commonwealth Government to source skilled overseas workers to work in an occupation specified in the labour agreement for five years. This is the relevant stream to apply for where an employer seeks to sponsor an overseas worker as a plastics moulder machine operator under the South Australian DAMA.
Eligible family members may apply to accompany you to Australia as dependent visa applicants under the subclass 494 regional sponsored migration scheme visa. They may also only live, work and study in a designated regional area (under visa condition 8579).
To apply for a SESR visa under the labour agreement stream, two applications must be lodged, namely, a nomination application by the sponsoring employer (provided they already have a labour agreement in place), and a visa application by the nominee. These two applications can be lodged at the same time.
In order to qualify for the subclass 191 permanent residence visa, all subclass 491 visa holders must have complied with the requirements of condition 8579 for the period that the provisional visa has been held. That is, they must have lived, worked and studied only in a part of Australia that was a designated regional area at the time the SESR visa was granted (the entire state of South Australia is considered a designated regional area for this purpose).
Another key requirement to be satisfied by the primary visa applicant in order to qualify for a subclass 191 visa is to provide evidence of having had a taxable income at least equal to an amount as specified in the migration provisions for each of three relevant income years whilst holding a SESR visa.
What Are The Requirements To Be Met By An Employer To Sponsor A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician In South Australia Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?
Employers seeking to sponsor overseas workers under the skilled regional visa program under the labour agreement stream must meet the following key requirements:
- have no adverse information known about it or any person associated with it, or it is reasonable to disregard this information;
- pay the Skilling Australians Fund levy when it submits the nomination application;
- have complied with Australian immigration and workplace relations laws;
- have a current labour agreement in place with the Australian Government; and
- have met any nomination requirements specified in the labour agreement.
The position associated with the nominated occupation must also be genuine, a full-time position and likely to exist for at least five years.
Also be aware that the occupation that the employer is seeking to nominate must be listed in the labour agreement.
What Are The Requirements To Qualify For A Subclass 494 Visa As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician In South Australia Under A DAMA Labour Agreement?
Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (SESR) visa include:
- Qualifications: At least a relevant AQF Cert II qualification or equivalent is required. Alternatively, two years of relevant work experience within the last three years may substitute for the qualification;
- Work Experience: Work experience must be at least 20 hours per week, with one year of work experience required within the last three years;
- Skills Assessment: A DAR skills assessment by the Skilled And Business Migration SA is required. The sponsoring employer must submit a skills assessment application on behalf of the nominee. Skilled & Business Migration SA will then assess the nominee’s skills and qualifications and if successful, a positive skills assessment will be issued to the employer.
- English Language: An IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) for each individual band is required;
- Age: Applicants must be under the age of 55 at the time the nomination application is lodged.
Note that the above requirements are specific to the South Australian DAMA. This includes certain concessions. For example, you must generally be under 45 years of age when you apply for the SESR visa (for example, if you apply under the employer sponsored stream, unless otherwise specified in the migration provisions).
However, if you are applying for a SESR visa under the South Australian DAMA, an age-based concession applies, whereby you may be nominated provided you have not turned 55 years of age at the time of the SESR nomination.
Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa
Plastics moulder machine operators and technicians can also be sponsored by an employer in South Australia for a Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa under the South Australian Regional Workforce Designated Area Migration Agreement.
The Subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa, which requires you to be sponsored by an employer, is a temporary visa allowing you to live and work in Australia for up to either two or four years. In some cases, it may also provide a pathway to permanent residence after three years via a Subclass 186 Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) visa if you meet certain requirements at that time. Alternatively, you may qualify for PR under the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream after two years if you do not utilise the concessions.
The TSS visa application process requires multiple applications to be submitted to the Department of Home Affairs:
- The employer must apply for, and be approved as, a Sponsor;
- The employer must apply to nominate you for the position; and
- You must separately apply for the visa.
The above applications may be lodged at the same time. It may also be the case that the sponsoring employer already has an existing approved sponsorship (as they generally last for five years) in which case you and your proposed employer may only need to submit a nomination and visa application.
TSS Visa Streams
The Subclass 482 visa comprises the following streams:
- Short-term stream, if the nominated occupation is included in the Short-term Skilled Occupation list (STSOL);
- Medium-term stream, if the nominated occupation is included in the Medium-term Skilled Occupation list (MTSOL); and
- Labour Agreement stream, which requires the sponsoring employer to enter into a labour agreement with the Department. This is the relevant visa stream to consider for plastics moulder machine operators.
Some of the key criteria to qualify for a Subclass 482 TSS visa include:
- Qualifications: At least a relevant AQF Cert II qualification or equivalent is required. Alternatively, two years of relevant work experience within the last three years may substitute for the qualification;
- Work Experience: Work experience must be at least 20 hours per week, with one year of work experience required within the last three years;
- Skills Assessment: A DAR skills assessment by the Skilled And Business Migration SA is required. The sponsoring employer must submit a skills assessment application on behalf of the nominee. Skilled & Business Migration SA will then assess the nominee’s skills and qualifications and if successful, a positive skills assessment will be issued to the employer;
- English Language: An IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or equivalent), as well as a minimum IELTS score of 4.0 (or equivalent) for each individual band is required.
Note also that as part of the nomination application, the employer must pay a training levy.
Also be aware that to later qualify for a permanent residence subclass 186 visa in South Australia, you must demonstrate that you have three years of work experience within the last five years as a plastics moulder machine operator. You will also be subject to an English language concession, with a requirement to achieve an IELTS score of 5.0 overall (or equivalent), and a minimum IELTS score of 4.5 (or equivalent) for individual bands. An age-based concession applies, whereby you may be nominated provided you have not turned 55 years of age at the time of the ENS nomination.
Why Choose Australia?
Now that we have discussed the technical side of things, now the fun stuff … why choose Australia?
Well, firstly Australia is a great place to live! It is a highly sought-after destination for travellers and migrants from all over the world. A free and democratic country with a multicultural and inclusive society, a rich and diverse culture, first class education and health systems, as well as employment opportunities and a relaxed lifestyle are just some of the benefits that Australia has to offer. Coupled with its vast landscapes, natural wonders and cultural, entertainment and food destinations for you to explore make Australia an exciting place to live. There is something for everyone!
And Why South Australia?
South Australia not only offers you the opportunity to qualify for a skilled visa as a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician, but also benefits in terms of lifestyle, culture, health, safety and education.
In South Australia you can enjoy a relaxed, family-friendly lifestyle where you can achieve a work-life balance. It is also an affordable place to live so that you can afford to do more. You can choose to live in the city, the suburbs or in the country, and you will also find a plethora of food, wine, culture, sporting and entertainment offerings for you to explore and enjoy.
So, what are you waiting for?
Are You Interested In Applying For A Skilled Visa As A Plastics Moulder Machine Operator, Fabricator, Welder Or Technician But Need A Sponsor?
Well, the good news is that PAX Migration Australia can help you to find an employer to sponsor you for a SESR or TSS visa. There are employers in Australia that are willing to sponsor plastics moulder machine operators and technicians, and we can help you by introducing you to potential sponsors. Book a consultation with us today to assess your eligibility for a skilled visa, and to discuss potential employers that may be willing to sponsor you.
Get More Information
Designated Area Migration Agreement
For further information on the DAMA in South Australia, please see the following articles:
South Australia DAMA Occupation List
DAMA South Australia Occupation List
DAMA Visa South Australia Requirements
Employer Sponsored Regional Visa
For further information on the subclass 494 visa, please see the following articles:
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsored Visa
To learn more about applying for an employer sponsored skilled visa, please see the following articles:
Employer Nomination Migration Scheme
Employer Sponsor Visa Requirements
Changes To 457 Temporary Work Skilled Visa
Business Requirements For Accredited Sponsorship
Does 482 Visa Require Skills Assessment
Subclass 482 – A Guide to Temporary Skill Shortage
Skilled Visa
To learn more about applying for a skilled visa, please see the following articles:
Australian Skilled Migration Visa List
General Skilled Migration Visa Options
SAF Skilling Australians Fund Levy
General Skilled Migration Visa Points
Subclass 190 State Sponsorship Visa
Australian Skilled Occupations List
Australian Permanent Resident Visa Case Study
State Sponsorship Visas In Australia
South Australia State Sponsorship Opportunities
Skilled Regional Visa Australia
Regional Sponsor Migration Scheme
Regional Sponsored Visa Requirements
Visa Options For Professionals
Skilled Trade Visa Options In Australia
English Requirements For Skilled Visas
Australian Visa Options For IT Occupations
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Doctors
Australian Immigration And Visa Options For Nurses
Australian Visa Options For Engineers
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Contact us to book a no-obligation consultation to find out more about applying for a skilled visa as a plastics moulder machine operator or plastics technician, including to assess your eligibility for a SESR or TSS visa and to help you find an employer that may be willing to sponsor you.