• Outcomes of a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
• Replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010
• Changes to offshore GSM visas made before 1 September 2007
• Changes to priority processing arrangements
• Changes to skills assessment requirements for GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation
• Changes to GSM Points Test

More information is available on the department’s website.

Single attendee $15.00 Couple/Partners $20.00

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Applicants for a Subclass 485 visa will still be required to obtain a suitable skills assessment from the relevant assessing authority before the Subclass 485 visa can be granted. For trade occupations, TRA will still issue skills assessments suitable for applying for a Subclass 485 visa.

• Skilled – Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
• Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
• Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

Applicants applying for one of the above visa subclasses and who are nominating a trade occupation can only seek to satisfy the work experience criterion. This criterion requires the applicant to have at least 12 months of work experience in a skilled occupation in the 24 months immediately prior to applying.

However, the option for offshore applicants to apply based on meeting the Australian Study Requirement remains open to all other occupations contained on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

From 1 January 2010, applicants applying for one of the following onshore GSM visa subclasses will be required to have obtained a suitable skills assessment prior to applying for migration in order for the application to be valid and assessed by the department for a decision:

• Skilled Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 885)
• Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 886)
• Skilled Regional Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 487)

From the 1st of January 2010, VETASSESS will be changing the requirements for assessment against these “Generalist Occupations” which are managerial, administrative, professional and associate professional occupations. The new assessment process will help to ensure that applicant’s who meet the requirements under the new process are job ready and have the relevant skills and qualifications for employment in Australia in their nominated occupation.

Refer to this link to find out more about the new requirements…

Source from DIAC & VETASSESS

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has set new priority processing arrangements for certain Skilled Migration visas. These arrangements are designed to better address the needs of industry by targeting skills in critical need across a number of sectors and this new processing direction commenced on 23 September 2009.

This direction applies to all visa applications that have not been finalised and to applications lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, on or after 23 September 2009.

The new processing will apply to the following visas:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
• General Skilled Migration (GSM) scheme except for
  • Skilled Recognised Graduate Subclass 476
  • Skilled Designated Area Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883
  • Skilled Regional Subclass 887

Follow this link to read more…

Source from DIAC

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced that the English language requirement for all General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applicants who nominate a trade occupation will be increased to a minimum of 6.0 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. For Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM visa subclasses, the threshold English language standard will be raised from an average of 5.5 to an average of 6.0 in an IELTS test.

The increased language requirements will apply to all new GSM applications lodged after 1 January 2010.

The aim is to select migrants who are more likely to secure skilled employment when they arrive in Australia. A high level of English language ability is recognised as being essential for achieving this objective.

Refer to this link to read more…

Source from DIAC

Single attendee $20.00 Couple/Partners $30.00

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Highlights:

• The Migration Program will total 168,700 places for 2009-10.
• The Federal Government’s 2009 Budget has made a further cut to the permanent skilled migration intake to 108,000 places for the 2009-10 program.
• The reduction will be achieved largely through cutbacks in the General Skilled Category.
• A job-readiness test will be introduced for onshore skilled applicants.
• The Government will be increasing the English language requirement for trades occupation to IELTS 6 from 1 July 2009 for offshore applicants and 1 January 2010 for onshore applicants.
• There will be fewer visas granted to trade level occupations.
• There will be an increase in family migration places to 60,300, including an addition of 2500 for partners, 1000 for contributory parents and 300 for child visas.
• Increased humanitarian Program to 13,750.
• Increased funding to improve detention centres.
• DIAC staff reductions.
• Increased costs for DIAC to establish the new Office of MARA.

Refer to this link if you would like to read up more…

Source from DIAC