Australia's new Immigration Minister has announced changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme which are scheduled to come into effect from 1 September 2007.
The English language threshold requirement for all GSM visas will increase.
The points test will be adjusted to benefit applicants with advanced Australian tertiary qualifications, Australian skilled work experience and strong English language skills.
The changes also include major structural reforms 15 skilled migration visa subclasses will collapse into nine.
Subclasses
English Language
Work Experience
Skilled Graduate Visa
Recognised Graduate Visa
Points Test - New Pass Marks
New Visa Subclass Options
The English language threshold requirement for all GSM visas will increase.
The points test will be adjusted to benefit applicants with advanced Australian tertiary qualifications, Australian skilled work experience and strong English language skills.
The changes also include major structural reforms 15 skilled migration visa subclasses will collapse into nine.
Subclasses
English Language
Work Experience
Skilled Graduate Visa
Recognised Graduate Visa
Points Test - New Pass Marks
New Visa Subclass Options
Subclasses:
Scheduled to come into action on 1 September 2007 the 15 subclasses will collapse in to nine.
Changes to Visa Subclasses
Old Sub-class structure
New Sub-class structure
Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) – as permanent visa pathway from SIR
Skilled – Regional (subclass 887)
Graduate - Skilled (subclass 497)
Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485)
Skilled – Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880)
Skilled – Independent (subclass 885)
Skilled – Australian-sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886)
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 882)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) ONSHORE
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
Skilled - Independent (subclass 136)
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175)
Skilled – Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen (subclass 861)
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175)
Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled - Australian-sponsored (subclass 138)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled – Onshore Australian sponsored New Zealand Citizen (subclass 862)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) OFFSHORE
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (subclass 496)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
Skilled – Onshore Designated Area sponsored New Zealand citizen (subclass 863)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
English Language
The points test will be adjusted to award more points to applicants with very strong English language skills
An applicant with proficient English will score 25 points from 1 September.
An applicant with competent or vocational English (if applicant has trade occupation) or competent English (if the applicant applied for a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa) will score 15 points.
To gain the maximum of 25 points the applicant will have to score a minimum of 7.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in each of the four components or an equivalent level in an OET exam (where sat as part of the skills assessment).
15 points will be awarded if the applicant:
holds a passport from the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
have a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four IELTS components
have an equivalent level in an OET exam (where OET exam was sat as part of skills assessment).
Work Experience
From 1 September 2007 GSM applicants who have completed at least 12 months skilled work experience in Australia in their nominated occupation or closely related occupation will be awarded 10 points. Work undertaken before the completion of your degree, diploma or trade qualification will not be considered.
Recent work experience for offshore GSM visas will be the same for all applicants. The two year study requirement in the past six months must be met and the applicant will have to demonstrate that he/she has been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 out of the past 24 months.
GSM applicants will only be able to claim MODL points if they have been employed in that occupation or closely related occupation for at least 12 months in the past four years.
Skilled – Graduate Visa
This temporary visa will be introduced to give overseas students who have completed two years of studying Australia and do not qualify for a permanent GSM visa the opportunity to remain in Australia for a further 18 months to gain additional skills that they need.
This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.
In order to be eligible for Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) a person must fulfill the following criteria:
hold, or have held within the previous 6 months, an eligible student visa
be under 45
have booked a medical
have applied for an AFP check if 16 or older
have met the 2 year study requirements within the previous 6 months
have applied to have their skills tested in their nominated skilled occupation
have competent English, OR vocational English where applicant who has applied to have their skills tested in a trade occupation
After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:
provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
employer sponsored visa.
These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Graduate Visa is valid.
Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa
This temporary visa will be introduced to address 'niche' shortages in the labour market.
This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.
In order to be eligible for Skilled – RecognisedGraduate Visa (Subclass 476) a person must fulfill the following criteria:
be 30 or under
have completed a degree in a specified discipline from a specified educational institution in the last 24 months
have competent English
After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:
provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
employer sponsored visa.
These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa is valid.
The points test will be adjusted to award more points to applicants with very strong English language skills
An applicant with proficient English will score 25 points from 1 September.
An applicant with competent or vocational English (if applicant has trade occupation) or competent English (if the applicant applied for a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa) will score 15 points.
To gain the maximum of 25 points the applicant will have to score a minimum of 7.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in each of the four components or an equivalent level in an OET exam (where sat as part of the skills assessment).
15 points will be awarded if the applicant:
holds a passport from the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
have a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four IELTS components
have an equivalent level in an OET exam (where OET exam was sat as part of skills assessment).
Work Experience
From 1 September 2007 GSM applicants who have completed at least 12 months skilled work experience in Australia in their nominated occupation or closely related occupation will be awarded 10 points. Work undertaken before the completion of your degree, diploma or trade qualification will not be considered.
Recent work experience for offshore GSM visas will be the same for all applicants. The two year study requirement in the past six months must be met and the applicant will have to demonstrate that he/she has been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 out of the past 24 months.
GSM applicants will only be able to claim MODL points if they have been employed in that occupation or closely related occupation for at least 12 months in the past four years.
Skilled – Graduate Visa
This temporary visa will be introduced to give overseas students who have completed two years of studying Australia and do not qualify for a permanent GSM visa the opportunity to remain in Australia for a further 18 months to gain additional skills that they need.
This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.
In order to be eligible for Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) a person must fulfill the following criteria:
hold, or have held within the previous 6 months, an eligible student visa
be under 45
have booked a medical
have applied for an AFP check if 16 or older
have met the 2 year study requirements within the previous 6 months
have applied to have their skills tested in their nominated skilled occupation
have competent English, OR vocational English where applicant who has applied to have their skills tested in a trade occupation
After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:
provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
employer sponsored visa.
These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Graduate Visa is valid.
Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa
This temporary visa will be introduced to address 'niche' shortages in the labour market.
This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.
In order to be eligible for Skilled – RecognisedGraduate Visa (Subclass 476) a person must fulfill the following criteria:
be 30 or under
have completed a degree in a specified discipline from a specified educational institution in the last 24 months
have competent English
After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:
provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
employer sponsored visa.
These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa is valid.
Visa Subclasses and Pass marks
Visa Subclass
Points
Skilled - Independent Visa (subclass 175)
120
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176)
100*
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
100*
Skilled - Independent (subclass 885)
120
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 886)
100*
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
100*
*The amendments see a point concession for candidates seeking certain types of Sponsored Visas and an introduction of the points test for those seeking temporary family member Regional Sponsored Visas.
The previous process for gaining the Sponsored Visas affected required applicants obtaining a minimum of 110 points, while the temporary family member Regional Sponsored Visa was not included as part of the point-based system.
However, sources indicate that the changes to the scheme will result in applicants to both visas requiring 100 points to qualify from September 1st. Additionally, the pool mark for the affected Sponsored Visa will be adjusted accordingly, being reduced to 80 points.
The previous process for gaining the Sponsored Visas affected required applicants obtaining a minimum of 110 points, while the temporary family member Regional Sponsored Visa was not included as part of the point-based system.
However, sources indicate that the changes to the scheme will result in applicants to both visas requiring 100 points to qualify from September 1st. Additionally, the pool mark for the affected Sponsored Visa will be adjusted accordingly, being reduced to 80 points.
New Visa Subclass Options
For those people in Australia who wish to migrate and who have an eligible visa, the following visas may be applied for from 1 September 2007:
Skilled - Independent (subclass 885) - Permanent visa
instead of: Skilled Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 886) - Permanent visa
instead of:Skilled Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa
Skilled - Graduate (subclass 485) - 18 month temporary visa
instead of:Graduate – Skilled (subclass 497) visa
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) - 3 year provisional visa. (Holders of Skilled - Regional Sponsored may apply for a permanent Skilled – Regional visa when they have lived for 2 years and worked full-time for 1 year in regional Australia.)
instead of:Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) visa andSkilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 496) visa
Skilled - Regional (subclass 887) - Permanent visa (The permanent visa for holders of Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487 and 475), Skilled – Independent Regional and Skilled – Designated Area-Sponsored visas
instead of:Second stage Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 883) visaandState Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa
For those people outside Australia who wish to migrate, the following visas may be applied for from 1 September 2007:
Skilled - Independent (subclass 175) - Permanent visa (New Zealand citizens who apply for GSM can use this visa class regardless of whether they are inside or outside Australia)
instead of:Skilled Independent (subclass 136) visa andSkilled Independent New Zealand Citizen (subclass 861) visa
Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176) - Permanent visa (New Zealand citizens who apply for GSM can use this visa class regardless of whether they are inside or outside Australia)
instead of:State Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visaandSkilled – Australian Sponsored (subclass 138) visa andSkilled – Australian Sponsored New Zealand Citizen (subclass 862) visa
Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) - 3 year provisional visa
Holders of Skilled - Regional Sponsored may apply for a permanent Skilled – Regional visa when they have lived for 2 years and worked full-time for 1 year in regional Australia.
instead of:Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) visaandSkilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 496) visa andSkilled – Designated Area New Zealand Citizen (subclass 863) visa.
Skilled - Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) - 18 month temporary visa
Recognised Graduate visa holder can apply for a permanent GSM or employer sponsored visa any time during the visa’s eligibility
for: Graduates of recognised overseas universities with skills in demand in Australia Allows unrestricted work and study rights.
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