NEW POINTS TEST TO BE INTRODUCED

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, has announced a new points test to assess independent skilled migrants as part of the Gillard Government’s ongoing commitment to reforming the skilled migration program to deliver the skills Australia needs.

Mr Bowen said the new points test will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and high level qualifications, and is designed to ensure no one factor guarantees migration.

‘These changes to the points test are an important next step in the series of reforms to the skilled migration program announced by the Government in February this year,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘The reforms set the foundations for a skilled migration program that will be responsive to our economic needs and continue to serve Australia’s interests in the medium to long term.’

The new points test has been formulated following extensive public and stakeholder consultation, and research review. The review found the existing points test led to a skewing of applications towards a small number of occupations and a growing pipeline of applicants waiting for a skilled migration visa.

‘The existing points test has not always led to outcomes consistent with the objectives of the skilled migration program,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘For example, the current test puts an overseas student with a short term vocational qualification and one year’s work experience in Australia ahead of a Harvard educated environmental engineer with three years’ relevant work experience.

‘The new points test will ensure we select the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants.’

The new test will also continue to recognise the additional value that Australian education offers.

The new points test will complement the new skilled occupation list, which came into effect on 1 July 2010, to deliver migrants with a mix of the skills and attributes needed to contribute productively in Australia.

New Skilled Occupation List Now in Place

The new SOL is in effect and applies to all applicants lodging visa applications under the GSM, except applicants who at the date of announcement ( 8 February 2010):

• held a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa, or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and had not yet lodged an application for a provisional or permanent GSM visa and who make an application by 31 December 2012, or

• had a pending GSM visa application.

In addition, the new SOL will not apply to people applying for a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa who at
8 February 2010 hold a:

• Vocational Education and Training Sector (subclass 572) visa

• Higher Education Sector (subclass 573) visa

• Postgraduate Research Sector (subclass 574) visa.

However these student visa holders will be required to have an occupation on the new SOL to apply for a permanent GSM visa

NEW STATE MIGRATION PLANS IN PLACE

All States and Territories have announced their new occupation lists for sponsorship, if your occupation falls on their lists they will sponsor you, requiring less points.

LANCE'S COMMENT - Lance Fee is our preffered Registered Australian Migration Agent This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Initial impression of the New points test announced by the Minister is that it will disadvantage many Applicants, particularly those in the Trade areas, I would be looking at applying now if you qualify at the moment.

Contact your agent for any further details.