16 July 2015

Changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and other changes this July

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A overview of some of the changes that have been happpening this July.


New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) Announced


Today the Australian Government released changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for Skilled Visas, which will apply for applications from 1 July 2015.

The Skilled Occupations List (SOL) is used for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visa, the Skilled Regional Provisional Subclass 489 Visa (Family Sponsored) and the Graduate Temporary Subclass 485 visa.

The following occupations have been removed from the SOL:

Urban and Regional Planner 232611
Dental Specialist 252311
Dentist 252312

These occupations have been on the SOL for a significant amount of time and will greatly impact those in these specialisations. However, they may still be eligible for state or employer sponsored options as the occupations remain on the CSOL.

The following occupations have been added to the SOL:

Panelbeater                             324111
Cabinetmaker 394111

For more information about the SOL please visit: /australia/skilled-occupation-list.aspx



SkillSelect Invitation Rounds will now be monthly


From the 1st July 2015, SkillSelect will hold invitation rounds once monthly (previously fortnightly).

This means that applicants waiting for an invitation to apply from their Expression of Interest for a Skilled Independent (189) Visa will have a longer wait between invitation rounds to receive an invitation to apply for a Skilled Visa.

The maximum number of invitations to be in the next invitation round (6 July 2015) are:

Skilled Independent (189) visa 2,300
Skilled Regional Provisional (489) visa 30



Visa Application Charges (VAC) increase


Following the 1st July 2015 the new Visa Application Charges have now been implemented.

The new VAC can be found here



Have you reserved your place at one of our UK Relocation Seminars?


Here at Visa Bureau we are excited to announce our upcoming Relocation Seminars in both London and Edinburgh. You will get to meet the Visa Bureau team as well as professional representatives from the Australian State Governments, Australian and New Zealand Banks, Currency Exchange, Pensions and Finance, Removals, Pet Relocation and Migration Cover.

Advance tickets only - £10 per person, £15 per couple.

Full details can be found here


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