Multimedia Specialists are highly sought after in Australia especially during this pandemic. Face-to-face classes were replaced by online classes due to the numerous lockdowns in Australia. This led to a surge in education providers’ requiring skills for providing online multimedia learning materials.
This article intends to provide basic information about the Multimedia Specialist role and the visa options for people in this field.
What Multimedia Specialists do?
A Multimedia Specialist produces and edits computer animation, audio, video and graphic image files into multimedia programs for creating content for presentations, websites, mobile telephone resources, electronic gaming environments, e-commerce and e-security solutions, and entertainment and education products.
The full list of tasks for this role can be found here.
The required qualification for this role is at least a Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia and Digital Technologies or in any highly related course of study.
Do I need a Skills Assessment as a Multimedia Specialist?
The skills assessing body for the Multimedia Specialist role is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). Skills assessment is a mandatory requirement when applying for Permanent Residency Visas under the General Skilled Migration stream (subclasses 189, 190, 491) and Employer Sponsored visas including ENS 186 Direct Entry and SESR 494.
Information about ACS’s skills assessment requirements for this role can be found on this link.
Permanent Residency Visa pathways under the General Skilled Migration stream
The Multimedia Specialist role is part of the Medium to Long Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) which brings more PR visa options for applicants in this role than roles on the Short Term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). Multimedia Specialists may be eligible for the 189 visa, 190 visa or the 491 visa if they have at least 65 migration points, if they can satisfy the state nomination criteria in the state where they are applying for, and if they can satisfy all the visa criteria. State nomination is only required for 190 and 491 visa applicants.
Employer Sponsored Visa pathways
Multimedia Specialists may be eligible for the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) subclass 186 Direct Entry if they have an employer who is willing to sponsor them on this visa; if they will be paid a salary above $54,000 and within the annual market salary rate; if they have a positive skills assessment in their nominated occupation from ACS; if their sponsor can satisfy all the nomination criteria; if they have at least three years of full-time work experience in this role after completing the required qualification; if they can satisfy all the ENS 186 Direct Entry visa criteria. The ENS Transition stream is also available for Multimedia Specialists who have been holding a 457 or TSS 482 visa and can satisfy all the criteria for this stream.
If they cannot satisfy the ENS visa requirements, then the TSS 482 visa can be an option if they have at least two years of work experience as a Multimedia Specialist in the last five years, and if they can satisfy all the TSS 482 visa criteria.
I don’t have a qualification in Multimedia and I have no work experience in this field either, how can I become a Multimedia Specialist?
It is suggested that you study at least a Bachelor’s degree in Multimedia or Digital Technologies and gain at least one year of work experience as a Multimedia Specialist. This helps in getting a positive skills assessment from ACS so that you can have Multimedia Specialist as your nominated occupation.
Should you require advice or assistance, it would be best to engage a Registered Migration Agent or an Immigration Lawyer.
(Johanna Bertumen Nonato is a Registered Migration Agent (MARN1386856) and the CEO of BridgeAus Migration Consultancy. For enquiries, email info@bridgeaus.com.au or call 0427 589 274).
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