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General Skilled Migration Programme Changes - effective 1 September 2007

Australia's new Immigration Minister announced changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme which have come into effect since the 1st of September 2007.

The English language threshold requirement for all GSM visas will increase.

The points test will be adjusted to benefit applicants with advanced Australian tertiary qualifications, Australian skilled work experience and strong English language skills.

The changes also include major structural reforms 15 skilled migration visa subclasses will collapse into nine.

• Subclasses
• English Language
• Work Experience
• Skilled Graduate Visa
• Recognised Graduate Visa
• Points Test - New Pass Marks
• New Visa Subclass Options

Subclasses:

Scheduled to come into action on 1 September 2007 the 15 subclasses will collapse in to nine.

English Language

The points test has been adjusted to award more points to applicants with very strong English language skills

An applicant with proficient English scores 25 points, since September 1st.

An applicant with competent or vocational English (if applicant has trade occupation) or competent English (if the applicant applied for a Skilled Regional Sponsored visa) scores 15 points.

To gain the maximum of 25 points the applicant is required to score a minimum of 7.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) in each of the four components or an equivalent level in an OET exam (where sat as part of the skills assessment).

15 points is awarded if the applicant:

• holds a passport from the UK, US, Canada, New Zealand or the Republic of Ireland
• have a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four IELTS components
• have an equivalent level in an OET exam (where OET exam was sat as part of skills assessment).

Work Experience

From 1st of September 2007, GSM applicants who have completed at least 12 months skilled work experience in Australia in their nominated occupation or closely related occupation are awarded 10 points. Work undertaken before the completion of your degree, diploma or trade qualification will not be considered.

Recent work experience for offshore GSM visas is the same for all applicants. The two year study requirement in the past six months must be met and the applicant will have to demonstrate that he/she has been employed in a skilled occupation for at least 12 out of the past 24 months.

GSM applicants is only able to claim MODL points if they have been employed in that occupation or closely related occupation for at least 12 months in the past four years.

Skilled – Graduate Visa

This temporary visa has been introduced to give overseas students who have completed two years of studying Australia and do not qualify for a permanent GSM visa the opportunity to remain in Australia for a further 18 months to gain additional skills that they need.

This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.

In order to be eligible for Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) the person must fulfill the following criteria:

• hold, or have held within the previous 6 months, an eligible student visa
• be under 45
• have booked a medical
• have applied for an AFP check if 16 or older
• have met the 2 year study requirements within the previous 6 months
• have applied to have their skills tested in their nominated skilled occupation
• have competent English, OR vocational English where applicant who has applied to have their skills tested in a trade occupation 

After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:

• provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
• permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
• permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
• employer sponsored visa.

These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Graduate Visa is valid.  

Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa

This temporary visa will be introduced to address 'niché' shortages in the labour market.

This visa is not subjected to any restrictions on work and study.

In order to be eligible for Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa (Subclass 476) a person must fulfill the following criteria:

• be 30 or under
• have completed a degree in a specified discipline from a specified educational institution in the last 24 months
• have competent English

After you have been granted the Skilled – Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) you may apply for a:

• provisional Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa
• permanent Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa
• permanent Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa
• employer sponsored visa.

These may be applied for during the period when the Skilled – Recognised Graduate Visa is valid.  

Points Test - New Pass Marks

*The amendments see a point concession for candidates seeking certain types of Sponsored Visas and an introduction of the points test for those seeking temporary family member Regional Sponsored Visas.

The previous process for gaining the Sponsored Visas affected required applicants obtaining a minimum of 110 points, while the temporary family member Regional Sponsored Visa was not included as part of the point-based system.

Changes to the scheme now result in applicants to both visas requiring 100 points to qualify since September 1st. Additionally, the pool mark for the affected Sponsored Visa has been adjusted accordingly, being reduced to 80 points.

New Visa Subclass Options