As per the Free Trade Agreement Services Section within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP) is a new visa pathway that will enable eligible UK citizens to take their next career step in Australia. IECSEP is one of a number of outcomes under this comprehensive free trade agreement that will deepen economic ties between the two countries.
IECSEP offers two streams:
- Innovation stream – stays up to three years for highly skilled and experienced innovators, working in occupations defined at the ANZSCO Skill Level 1.
- Early Careers stream – stays for up to one year for tertiary-qualified 21-45-year-olds, who have worked a minimum three months in their current role, and working in occupations defined at the ANZSCO Skill Levels 1-3.
IECSEP is a 2-year pilot and places will be limited to 1000 in 2023-24, and a further 2000 places in 2024-25. It is open for applications and will close on 20 November 2023.
To be able to apply under this pathway, IECSEP applicants need to have a confirmed job in Australia and must remain with this employer for the duration of the visa. Applicants can undertake placements, secondments, graduate rotations or intra-company transfers between the applicant’s UK employer and any partnering Australian organisation. Alternatively, IECSEP applicants can commence a new role in Australia. Applicants who will work in regulated occupations in Australia must have current Australian occupational licencing without any conditions or restrictions.
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).
To know more about IECSEP, click here.
For any query regarding IECSEP, contact DFAT at aukfta.iecsep@dfat.gov.au
