Australia Updates the Skilled Migration Pass Mark

June 15, 2012, Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship announced changes to the pass mark for the new SkillSelect Visa.

The pass mark for the new SkillSelect visa subclasses 189, 190 and 489 will be adjusted to 60 points. SkillSelect is a new electronic service which helps the Australian government to manage the Australian skilled migration program. Applicants wanting to live and work in Australia without an employer sponsor must submit an online expression of interest (EOI) before applying for an Australian visa. Based on claims and attributes of intended migrants, the applicants will be given a score against the points test so that SkillSelect can rank scores with other EOIs. The highest scores will be invited to apply for a skilled visa.

"Delivery of a balanced migration program requires careful management," a spokesperson says. "SkillSelect will provide greater control over who can apply for a skilled visa and when they can apply."

The pass mark for existing general skilled migration subclasses 175, 176, 475, 487, 885 and 886 will stay the same at 65 points. Australia expects the new SkillSelect visas to attract more foreigners with the skills and attributes needed in Australia to register their interest in migration.

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 its visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia.

Australia Updates Skilled Occupation List for 2012

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.

Australia to Implement Skilled Migrant Selection Register from July 1, 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.