Migration News

Details have been released of extensive changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.

These changes generally affect the following visa subclasses:

Onshore Visa Subclasses

• Skilled - Independent (subclass 885)
• Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 886)
• Skilled - Graduate (subclass 485)
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 487)
• Skilled - Regional (subclass 887)

 Offshore Visa Subclasses

• Skilled - Independent (subclass 175)
• Skilled - Sponsored (subclass 176)
• Skilled - Regional Sponsored (subclass 475)
• Skilled - Recognised Graduate (subclass 476)

An overview of the changes can be found here:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-gsmchanges.pdf

A summary of the changes include;

1 Revocation of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).

2 Abolition of the Critical Skills List (CSL).

3 The introduction of a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) in mid 2010.

4 A quota being placed on pre-1 September 2007 offshore applications with applications not  

   coming within the quota being "terminated' and the filing fee refunded.

5 Changes to priority processing.

6 A review of the Points Test

7 Allowing pre-1 January 2010 trades skills assessments to be used for General Skilled

   Migration applications so the holders of such assessments will not be required to undertake

   the Job Ready Program.

Transitional arrangements have been made which are outlined in material on the DIAC website.

This means that 'upgrades' of health examination reports will no longer be allowed. For example, a client who completed a chest x-ray and a form 26 medical examination for their Student visa application will no longer be able to simply undertake a new HIV test and have their previous health examination reports 'upgraded' for the purposes of a new permanent visa application. In this situation, new medicals will be required for the client's permanent visa application.

These changes will be outlined in a revised version of the Health PAM which will be released on 9 November 2009. The PAM will also provide advice about the limited exceptions available.

The changes include;

1 Applicants for Subclass 487,885 and 886 visas being required supply a positive Pre Application Skills Assessment (PASA) from the relevant Assessment Authority with the visa application. In the past it was acceptable to just provide proof of having applied for a relevant skills assessment. Applications lodged without a skills assessment will be invalid.

2 Applicants for Subclasses 487, 885 and 886 visas who nominate a trade occupation will need to supply a new skills assessment completed on or after 1 January 2010 that will involve satisfying the Job Read Test.

3 Offshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants for Subclasses 475,175 and 176 visas who nominate a trade occupation will not be able to rely on the Australian study requirement to obtain an exemption from work experience requirements and will need to have worked in the nominated trade for 12 of the 24 months immediately prior to the application.

4 All applicants for GSM visas (including those who nominate a trade) will be required to have competent English (6 in each of the 4 IELTS components).Applicants for Subclass 475 and 487 visas will need an average of 6 in the IELTS test

5 There are new Vetassess requirements for skills assessments.

6 Special arrangements for skills assessments for Subclass 485 visa applicants apply in relation to PASAs by Vetassess and Trades Recognition Australia

From 1 July 2009, the Migration Regulations 1994 ('the Regulations') are amended to change the English language requirements for onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas.  In particular, the amendments:

• increase the English language requirements for applicants nominating trade occupations (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Level 4 occupation) by removing the option of 'vocational English';
• remove the option for applicants to receive points towards a qualifying score for the General Points Test for 'vocational English';
• require applicants applying with 'concessional competent English' to attain an average score of 6 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
• provide that applicants applying with 'concessional competent English', will no longer be restricted to being nominated by a State or Territory, or sponsored by a person who resides in a State or Territory, in which arrangements are established for suitable English language training, nor will they be required to enroll in an English language course and pay the fee; and
• ensure that where a primary applicant is relying on partner points in the General Points Test, no points will be awarded if the partner has 'vocational English' and if claiming 'concessional competent English', they have not met the new requirements as set out for primary applicants.