New Points system in place

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.

Overview of changes to the points test

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. 

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