Top 10 Changes to Skilled Migration
There are some major changes occurring with DIAC announcing the proposed changes to the points test categories that will commence from September 1st 2007. Not everything has been announced yet and DIAC will continue to give us snippets between now and 01/09/07 and we will try and bring you everything we come to know.The changes show the increased emphasis on English language skills, including for nationals of countries who whom in the past testing was unnecessary (ie UK, Ireland, USA, Canada, etc).
The TOP 10
1. Work Experience Criteria
Previously DIAC have allowed work experience to be counted even if it was obtained prior to a qualification, this made sense as many professionals acquire the skills before completing the full period of training or work experience as determined by the relevant Australian authority.
Now however it is clear that DIAC are going to make it almost impossible to claim work before the accepted qualification or work experience has been accrued. Therefore, an accounting student will not be able to count the work they do during their accounting degree if they have not acquired those skills elsewhere. Same with trades people who will not be able to count any of the up to 6/7 years work experience they have used for their trades assessment in also meeting DIAC requirements.
2. What work experience will be required
It will remain the same that you will be required to have a minimum period of skilled work experience OR be an Australian graduate to apply for most of the skilled visa categories.
From the 1st September if the visa category you are applying under does have a minimum period of work experience, it will be a consistent (no need to be continuous) 12 of the last 24 months for ALL visa subclasses.
Further points are still likely to be awarded for longer periods of work experience (ie 3 of the last 4 years).
3. MODL (Migration Occupation in Demand) points
The points for nominating an occupation that either at the time of application or time of decision is on the Modified Occupation in Demand List (MODL) will only be granted if … the visa applicant has been employed in that (or a closely related) occupation for at least 12 months in the previous 4 years.
4. English Language Requirements
The following will be the requirements to be awarded points for English in the points test for applications lodged after 1st September 2007 ..
25 Points (Proficient English) – A minimum score of 7.0 in each of the four components of the IELTS test.
15 Points (Competent English) – One of following :
- Holds a passport from UK, USA, Canada, NZ or Republic of Ireland
- A minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components of the IELTS test.
- A minimum score of 5.0 in each of the four components of the IELTS test (only if nominating a trade occupation – ASCO code 4000s)
- An average band score of at least 5.5, and pay English language charge and applying for new subclasses 475 or 487), and intend to live in an approved state
As you can see there is no longer 20 points for English, the minimum for most applicants will now be at least 6.0 in each band, and citizens of selected countries who in the past did not have to do the test, will now need to in order to get more than the basic 15 points.
Also trades people will only have to achieve the current 5.0 band to get 15 points.
5. Visa subclass numbers all Changing
In order to implement these changes, DIAC have decided to get rid of all the previous sklled visa categories and replace them with a new numbering system. To see how the new subclasses will look here is the list ..
PRE- 1st Sept 2007…
POST – 1st Sept 2007
Skilled - Independent (subclass 136)
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175)
Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled - State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) – as permanent visa pathway from SIR
Skilled – Regional (subclass 887)
Skilled - Australian-sponsored (subclass 138)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled – Independent Regional Skilled OFFSHORE (subclass 495)
Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495)
ONSHORE Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
Graduate - Skilled (subclass 497)
Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485)
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (subclass 496)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
Skilled – Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen (subclass 861)
Skilled – Independent (subclass 175)
Skilled – Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen (subclass 862)
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176)
Skilled – Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand citizen (subclass 863)
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
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)
6. New passmark
The minister has indicated that he has not yet decided on the new passmark. Currently it stands at 120 for the skilled visa and 110 visa for the sponsored visas. That indicates that some thought will be given to changing it.
7. Points for studying in Australia
There are a number of changes, in particular for students who are undertaking a doctorate, honours or a masters (having completed a degree in Australia). For students doing only a degree or masters in Australia, there has been no change.
See the GSM Frequently Asked Questions document for more information.
8. Student Graduates
Student graduates who can meet the new points test can still apply for a permanent visa straight away. This would normally be through them being able to achieve a 7 band in their IELTS test.
A student who has completed in July 2007 would have the option of applying for the existing visas 880, 881, 882, 495 etc before 1st September 2007. Or alternatively applying for a 497 and then one of the new visas after this date.
So if you are going to meet the current points test, better to apply for the existing permanent visa now, if you are not, but you think the new changes will help you, then apply for the 497 followed by one of the new categories after 1st September 2007.
Many students will be short of the new requirements due to only receiving 15 points for English and not being eligible for MODL due to not having skilled enough recent work experience. For those students a non points tested 18 month temporary visa has been established to try and improve English, work for 12 months in highly skilled work, study a professional year or just holiday. Doing the first 3 of these (better English, work or study) will gain 10 extra points and hopefully reach the passmark.
Students who nominate a 50 point occupation will be able to lodge their application and stay in Australia during processing. And applicants for this 18 month visa will have to still gain at least 6.0 in all bands of the IELTS test (unless they are trade or SIR applicants).
In short many students will be concentrating very much on trying to improve their English. If you cannot reach these marks you cannot be granted the new skilled visas.
9. Other changes
- Highly skilled work in Australia for 12 months will give 10 points.
- All applications will be able to be lodged electronically (as well as existing option of hardcopy)
10. New STNI List for Western Australia
There could be a large number of additions to the list of occupations for which you only need 70 points to migrate to Western Australia. A significant number of trades and computing professionals will be added to the list very soon.
