Points for PR

For most General Skilled Migration visas, your application will be assessed against a points test. You can claim points under a range of different factors. The maximum points that can be claimed in any one factor reflects how valuable those characteristics are in the Australian labour market or in assisting settlement.

What is the pass mark?

The pass mark is the total points you need to score to be eligible for a points–tested General Skilled Migration visa.

What happens if you don't meet the pass mark?

If you have applied for a Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175) or a Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176) and you score below the pass mark, but above the 'pool mark', your application will be held 'in the pool' for up to two (2) years after assessment.

If the pass mark is lowered at any time in that two (2) year period, and your score is equal to or higher than the new pass mark, your application will be processed further.

Rather than waiting in the pool, you could consider the following visa options if you do not meet the pass mark:

1. If you score 100 points you may be eligible for a Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176) or a Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475) visa.
   See:
   Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176) visa
   Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475) visa
2. If you meet the pool mark for the Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (Subclass 175), you can still lodge and register for the Skill Matching Database. More information on Skill Matching is available.
   See: Skill Matching Database
   

What are the current pass and pool marks?

The table below lists all the current pass and pool marks for the points–tested visas in the General Skilled Migration category.

Category	Pass mark	Pool mark
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)	120	100
Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)	100	80
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)	100	100
Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)	120	120
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)	100	100
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)	100	100

How often do the pass and pool marks change?

Changes to the pass and pool marks occur to address Australian labour market needs.

You should check the current pass mark immediately before making an application. You will be assessed against the pass and pool mark that is in effect on the day you make your application.

Points Break down

You can calculate your points at this link

http://www.workpermit.com/australia/point_calculator.htm

-------------------------------------------------------------

Please note that the pass marks are subject to change. You should check the latest pass marks when making decisions. I will update my blog regularly to reflect any changes in the pass marks.

A-Z Immigration guide for International Students and Professionals

Please see the post below for latest on Australian immigration.

http://immigrate-to-australia.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/expression-of-interest-eoi.html

The information below might be incorrect our outdated

_________________________________________

Since I have been receiving large volumes of email requesting me to explain in detail about how to migrate to Australia, I will try to answer this not-easy-to-answer question over here.

You can migrate to Australia by following different path ways.

One such path way is by coming to Australia as an international student and then applying for Permanent Residency, PR.

The point to note while applying for PR is that you have to gain certain number of points. If you can score the required points, you get PR. If not then you have to do some thing else to get extra points to be eligible for PR.

How much points you have to score? That depends on the type of immigration you are applying for. For a complete list of different categories of immigration, please check this post.

Once you have determined which category you have to apply through, you look up the required score for your category. For example, these days, the score required for International students is 120. For a complete list of scores for different categories, check this post.

Once you have determined what the required score is, you go about calculating whether you can score that much points or not.

So this is a brief over view of how to immigrate to Australia.

1. Chose your category.
2. Check the score for that category.
3. See if you can score that many points or not.


Now there are two ways to immigrate. On shore and offshore immigration. I have explained both of them in the post mentioned above. You can visit it here.

I will first explain the process of immigrating for those people who want to immigrate to Australia as international students.

Immigrate to Australia as an International Student

The reason most people are interested in coming to Australia as an international student is because later on they want to apply for PR and get settled down in Australia. If you are one of them then read what I have written below.

If you want to apply for PR after completing your post graduate degree, you need a great deal of planning. You need to have the precise knowledge of how many points you will get once you finish your degree and whether you can then apply for PR with that number of points or not. If not, then what is the way to make up for those points. Make sure you know ever thing before you come to Australia. It would be of no use if you complete your only to know that you are short of 5 points. You will be left high and dry in the middle of no where and your whole two years of emotional, physical, financial and academic investment would be ruined.


Ok enough of advices. Time to get down to the basics.

Step 1.

If you want to immigrate to Australia, you need to have some thing which Australia needs. A particular type of Skill which is in demand in Australia.

How can you tell if the skills you have are in demand or not?

You can check that from the Skilled Occupation List SOL, or the Most on Demand List, MODL.

There is no difference between SOL and MODL except that certain professions on SOL are in high demand and therefore placed on MODL. If you have skills of an occupation listed on MODL, you will claim bonus points for that.


What if my profession is not on SOL?

If your profession is not on SOL, you will score less points then those whose occupations are listed on SOL. So all you have to do is to get those extra points from other alternative means to cover up for your occupation not being in SOL.

Check this post to see how to get extra bonus points.

What next?

The next step is to apply for an admission in an Australian university for a post graduate degree which is closely related to the profession of your choice. I will deal with undergraduate degrees later on.

This profession of choice would be the same as the one you have chosen on SOL. Please note that the word "closely related" is very technical in nature and you should be completely sure that your degree IS actually closely related to your choice of profession.

You are also supposed to be enrolled in a course which is a valid CRICOS course. If you enrol in a course which is not a valid CRICOS course, you are not eligible for PR.

Two Years study

Also you should remember, that to be fulfil the prerequisites of PR, you should have studied in Australia for two years. What does that mean? Check this post. Understanding the two year rule is very necessary.

The bottom line is that before you apply for PR, you should have studied in degrees, diplomas or trade certificates for a total official period of 92 weeks.

If your degree was of 52 weeks but you completed it in 92 weeks, it will still be considered as 52 weeks NOT 92 weeks. Check the post for more details.

You can complete these 92 weeks by studying one degree or by studying multiple degrees, diplomas or trade certificates.

Ok I have finished my degree now what?

Congrats! Apply for PR! What else? But it would be wise to consult a lawyer before you do that just to make sure if things are in the right order or not.

This was a brief primer to immigration to Australia for International students.

I will discuss immigration for other professionals who dont want to spend money in over post graduate education and want to apply for offshore immigration. Visit this post for updated information.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

The two year rule

PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF 23RD MARCH, 2013, International students can no longer directly apply for PR after studying for two years.

The two year rule is still valid in many situations. However, International students should not be tricked into believing that they can get PR just by studying for two years in a degree which is closely related to a profession on the SOL.

Please see the below links. 

http://www.immi.gov.au/students/knight/faq-post-study-work-arrangements.htm
http://migrationblog.immi.gov.au/2013/01/10/new-post-study-work-arrangements-and-international-students/

__________________________________________

What is the two year rule?


Its very important to understand the two year rule.

The two year study requirement was introduced in July 2003 in recognition of the value of Australian study in equipping visa holders to find skilled employment and settle easily in Australia. The intention of the two year study has always been to ensure that applicants for GSM have a strong foundation of at least two academic years study in Australia. The value arises not only from having an Australian qualification but from having substantial exposure to Australian society and culture.

The Government has amended the Regulations to clarify the two year study requirement in response to some confusion surrounding its interpretation.

From 1 September 2007, to meet the two year study requirement, applicants will have to complete one or more degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications for award by an Australian educational institute as a result of a course or courses:

1. Registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS);


2. Completed as a result of at least two academic years’ study;


3. Completed in a total of no less than 16 calendar months; and


4. That the applicant studied in Australia, while holding a visa that allowed study and for which all instruction was conducted in English.

In addition:

1. Students will not be penalised for changing education providers provided they obtain credit for their previous study and this study was in a CRICOS registered course undertaken in an Australian institute while physically present in Australia and in accordance with any visa conditions.


2. In line with the National Code 2007, students will also be able to count study undertaken online towards meeting the two year study requirement (up to 25%), if they were in Australia for the duration of that period of study.

These changes benefit students because they allow more flexibility.

What is two academic years?

To demonstrate that you have studied for at least two academic years, you must show that you have completed the equivalent of two years study at 100% of a full-time load. If you are given credit from prior learning it will reduce the amount of study you have completed.

The department will use CRICOS to determine whether a course meets the two year requirement. From 22 October 2007 a course that has a registered duration of 92 weeks will be accepted as a course equating to two academic years of study.

Examples:

1. If a student completes a full qualification in a course that is registered as 92 weeks, they will have met the two year study requirement.


2. Where a student completes two eligible qualifications, each related to their nominated occupation, that together total at least 92 weeks registration on CRICOS, they will have met the two year study requirement.


3. Where a student enrols in a three year full time course, they can be granted recognition of prior learning or credit for up to one year of full-time study and still meet the two year study requirement (as defined above) when they complete the qualification.


4. Where a course is CRICOS registered for 92 weeks a student enrolled in this course who is given any credit for prior learning will not have completed two academic years of study. In this situation, the applicant would need to have (or complete) an additional eligible qualification related to their nominated occupation in order to have completed, in total, the required two years of academic study.


5. If a course is CRICOS registered for 92 weeks but a student elects to complete the course through accelerated learning, for example through a summer semester of study, the student is considered to have met the two year study requirement if they complete the course in no less than 16 calendar months.


6. If a student enrols in a course that would only require 1.5 years to complete full-time but has taken two years to complete, this will not have met the requirement for two years of academic study.

Example 1:
If a course is CRICOS registered for 138 weeks (3 years) and consists of 24 units, 100% of full-time enrolment would equate to 8 units per year. In that course, a student will have completed two academic years when they have successfully completed 16 units. That means a student enrolled in that course can be given credit for prior learning for up to 8 units and still complete two academic years study.


Example 2:
If a course is CRICOS registered for 92 weeks (2 years) and consists of 12 units, 100% of full-time enrolment would equate to 6 units per year. Students would be required to complete all 12 units to meet the two year study requirement.



A student enrolled in this course who is given any credit for prior learning will not have completed two academic years study and may have to complete an additional degree, diploma or trade qualification to meet the two year study requirement.


My case:

I will explain my own example to make things easy for understanding.

You can see the certificate of completion from my university below.

Certificate of completion issued to me by UTS at the end of successfull completion of my degree.

As you can see the certificate shows two things

1. The start date and the end date, which is from 28th of Feb, 2005 to 18th of July, 2007. A total of 29 months OR 116 weeks.
2. The other important thing mentioned is the "Normal full time duration" of the course which is 4 semester (2 yrs or 52 weeks).

Although I completed the course in an extra 6 months, the actual duration of the course is 2 yrs, NOT 2.5 yrs.

So when the immigration department opens your case file, it will look at two things

1. The official course duration as listed on the CRICOS website. In my case, my course is 104 weeks.


You can check that by clicking on the link for CRICOS website.

2. The total duration of the course in a full time load as shown by the certificate of completion on the letter issued to you by your university.

I hope I have cleared the doubts of every one by providing my own example.

Kind Regards

Junaid

Australian Immigration for Dummies

This is the shortest most brief tutorial on Australian immigration.

There are three main categories of Skilled Australian Immigration.

1. Onshore immigration
2. Offshore immigration
3. Employer Sponsored (you can be in Australia or outside Australia)

In most cases, the end result of applying for immigration through offshore and onshore immigration is that you would receive the Permanent Resident Visa, class 885,886,175,176. And after having lived in Australia for four years(as of now), you can apply for Australian citizenship. In some cases you might receive Temporary Resident visas which allow you to work and live in Australia for a specific time. After having lived for the specific amount of time, you can then apply for Permanent residency. I will first deal with the onshore migration section and later on discuss the offshore one.

1. Onshore immigration. If you are in Australia

Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)

A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)

A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.

Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)

A permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least two (2) years and worked for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)

A three (3) year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Grduate Temporary Visa (subclass 485)

An 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study. Allows applicants who are unable to pass the points test to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration visa. No points test applies.

All the above categories are mainly designed for International students who have studied in Australia for two years OR for skilled people who are on various temporary resident visas and have skills which are in demand in Australia. Now we will discuss some of the offshore visa options.

2. Offshore immigration. If you are outside Australia

Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)

A permanent visa for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.

Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)

A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.

Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)

A three (3) year provisional visa for people who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.

Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 476)

An 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. There is no points test for this visa. Employer Sponsored Immigration The employer sponsored immigration has three different categories.

Temporary Visas

For lawfully operating Australian and overseas employers to employ approved skilled workers for temporary vacancies in particular occupations required in Australia. Temporary visas can offer a pathway to a permanent visa.

Skilled Workers Temporary Visa Options

Temporary Business Long Stay – Standard Business Sponsorship (subclass 457)

A program for employers to sponsor approved skilled workers to work in Australia on a temporary visa. Employers can nominate a number of positions for different occupations under the same sponsorship application.

Service Sellers

For representatives of overseas suppliers of services who are negotiating, or entering into, agreements to supply their services in Australia under the General Agreement on Trade and Services (GATS).

Medical Practitioner visa (subclass 422)

Doctors should generally apply for a Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa (subclass 457) but this visa is an alternative for doctors registered to work in Australia. Employers must lodge a separate sponsorship application for each doctor sponsored.

Educational visa (subclass 418)

For educational workers to be employed in Australia on a temporary basis. The sponsoring organisation must be an Australian tertiary education or research institution, school or technical college.

Labour Agreements

Formal arrangements for an Australian industry group or employer to recruit a specified number of skilled workers on a temporary or permanent basis over a number of years.

Permanent Visas

For lawfully operating Australian employers to sponsor skilled workers in particular occupations required in Australia .

Skilled workers Permanent Visa Options

Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 121/856)

For lawfully operating Australian employers to recruit workers on permanent visas, to fill full-time highly skilled positions which cannot be filled from the Australian labour market.

Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 119/857)

For employers in regional Australia to employ skilled people in positions unable to be filled from the local labour market.

Labour Agreements

Formal arrangements for an Australian industry group or employer to recruit a specified number of skilled workers on a temporary or permanent basis over a number of years.

So this is a general overview of the three main pathways to Australian immigration. I will be posting more on immigration to Australia later on.

If you find my posts helpful please leave feed back or comments. Kind Regards