The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) on June 13, 2012 published the updated Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for 2012 which features 4 new occupations and 4 occupations to be removed.
The updated SOL is based on expert advice from the independent body, Skills Australia. The updated SOL for 2012 comprises 192 high value occupations in Australia, with 4 new occupations to be added and 4 occupations to be removed. The additions to the SOL include Production Manager (Mining), Metallurgist, Optometrist, Computer Network and Systems Engineer. 4 occupations that are removed are: Chemist, Audiologist, Bricklayer and Wall and Floor Tiler.
The updated SOL will be effective on July 1, 2012. It will apply to all newindependent (unsponsored) and family sponsored skilled visa applications lodged on or after 1 July 2012 unless they are from applicants eligible for transitional arrangements. DIAC will continue to process applications lodged before July 1, 2012 with a nominated occupation that is no longer on the SOL in effect from July 1, 2012. Priority processing arrangements may however change for certain applicants according to the Ministerial Direction on priority processing.
The SOL determines which occupations are eligible for independent or unsponsored skilled migration. The SOL is reviewed by Skills Australia on an annual basis in order to ensure that it meets the needs of the Australian labour market, and to make sure the migration program is responsive to economic conditions and skills needs.
If you are interested in Australian visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia. |
Monday, June 18, 2012
Australia Updates Skilled Occupation List for 2012
Friday, December 16, 2011
Skilled Migration register to be implemented from 1st July, 2012
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has released additional details about the Skilled Migrant Selection Register (SkillSelect) reform which was announced on May 11, 2011.
The implementation of the new Skilled Migrant Selection Register known as SkillSelect is aimed to help Australia select the best and brightest skilled migrants from a huge number of prospective migrants and to fill the available places in the migration program. The SkillSelect system will be based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequent invitation to apply to ensure a match between the number of applicants, the number of available program places and the available processing resources.
DIAC describes SkillSelect as an electronic two-stage process. Prospective applicants first have to submit a claim for skilled migration through an online EOI and they may then be invited to lodge an Australian visa application on the basis of their EOI. Applicants will be selected from their points test score in each occupation category and invited to apply for skilled migration to Australia at regularly scheduled intervals.
All prospective applicants will be required to meet the relevant English language proficiency and obtain the necessary skills assessment prior to their EOI submission.
The SkillSelect system will affect prospective applicants for the following skilled visas:
- Skilled Independent subclass 175 (migrant) and 885 (residence)
- Skilled Sponsoredsubclass 176 (migrant) and 886 (residence)
- Skilled Regional Sponsored subclass 475 (provisional) and 487 (provisional).
SkillSelect will take effect on July 1, 2012 and from that date, all new prospective applicants for the visas listsed will have to submit an EOI and wait for an invitation before they can lodge their visa application. For those who have lodged a visa application before that date, DIAC will process the application in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
New Points system in effect
Australia has implemented major changes to its General Skilled Migration program on 1 July 2011. The pass mark for various visa subclasses is now 65 points. The age limit has also been raised from 45 years of age to 50.
Nominated occupations no longer earn points, but applicants are still required to nominate an occupation. Points are scored for experience in an occupation. Experience within Australia and overseas in a nominated occupation can be combined to earn points of up to 20 points.
There are now tougher English language requirements; All applicants must be at English language level "Competent" to be eligible to apply under the General Skilled Migration programme.
You can gain 5 additional points if you have a spouse who can satisfy the basic requirements under the General Skilled Migration programme; Points can be earned for language skills in a number of community languages such as Punjabi, Hindi, German, French, and many others, and for a qualification at an Australian institution.
Australia has implemented major changes to its General Skilled Migration program on 1 July 2011. The pass mark for various visa subclasses is now 65 points. The age limit has also been raised from 45 years of age to 50.
Nominated occupations no longer earn points, but applicants are still required to nominate an occupation. Points are scored for experience in an occupation. Experience within Australia and overseas in a nominated occupation can be combined to earn points of up to 20 points.
There are now tougher English language requirements; All applicants must be at English language level "Competent" to be eligible to apply under the General Skilled Migration programme.
You can gain 5 additional points if you have a spouse who can satisfy the basic requirements under the General Skilled Migration programme; Points can be earned for language skills in a number of community languages such as Punjabi, Hindi, German, French, and many others, and for a qualification at an Australian institution.
Below is a summary of the changes to the points test
Age ranges
Eligibility for points is determined by the applicant's age on the day of making their application. If an applicant is aged between 45 and 49 years of age, they will be able to apply for a visa, but no points will be awarded for age:
Points | Age |
25 | 18-24 |
30 | 25-32 |
25 | 33-39 |
15 | 40-44 |
0 | 45-49 |
Better English Language Results
For all skilled migration points tested visas, the threshold English language requirement will be competent English, which is a minimum score of 6 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test or other language test specified by the Minister. While no points will be awarded for competent English, applicants who have obtained this score are able to apply for a visa as long as they meet the other threshold visa requirements.
Applicants who hold a valid passport and are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, the United States of America or the Republic of Ireland are deemed to meet competent English language requirement.
Points | Description of English language ability |
20 | Superior English (a score of at least 8 in each of the four components of the IELTS test, or equivalent standard in a specified test) |
10 | Proficient English (a score of at least 7 in each of the four components of the IELTS test, or equivalent standard in a specified test) |
Skilled Employment
Points will be awarded for employment in a skilled occupation, either in Australia or overseas.
To claim points for skilled employment, the experience must be in an applicant's nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation. Where applicable, applicants can claim points for both
Australian skilled employment and overseas skilled employment under the points test.
To claim points for skilled employment, the experience must be in an applicant's nominated occupation, or a closely related occupation. Where applicable, applicants can claim points for both
Australian skilled employment and overseas skilled employment under the points test.
Points | Length of employment |
5 | One year |
10 | Three years |
15 | Five years |
20 | Eight years |
Applicants will be awarded points based on demonstration of a verifiable skilled employment history undertaken in the last 10 years as follows:
Australian skilled employment in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.
Points | Length of employment |
5 | Three years |
10 | Five years |
15 | Eight years |
For the complete update on the latest changes please see the PDF document listed below
Fact Sheet on the New Points Test
FAQs on the New Points Test
Sources: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm
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