Changes to Priority Processing

The Australian Government prioritises the order in which skilled migration applications are processed, with priority going to those who will bring the most benefit to Australia and are most likely to be successful here. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has set new priority processing arrangements for certain skilled migration visas, to come into effect on 1 July 2011. 
For further information about the new priority processing arrangements see: www.immi.gov.au/media/fact-sheets/24apriority_skilled.htm

Changes to Skilled Occupation List

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) determines which occupations are eligible for independent or unsponsored skilled migration. An updated SOL comes into effect from 1 July 2011, with 13 occupations to be added to the list and 4 occupations to be removed. 
For more information about the updated Skilled Occupation List see: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/solfact-sheet.pdf

New Points Test

Effective from 1 July 2011 the new points test has come into effect. The passmark is now 65 points and the "bias" is in favour of high levels of english and high levels of education (degrees rate higher then trades). Easiest way is to set out the email from DIAC in full:

As of 1 July 2011, the following changes to Australia’s skilled migration program have come into effect:
- introduction of a recalibrated points test for certain skilled migration visas, - an updated Skilled Occupation List, - new priority processing arrangements.
Since 2010, the Australian Government has introduced a series of reforms to skilled migration to ensure the program is more responsive to Australian market demand. The following changes outlined above support the strategic reform direction towards a labour-market demand driven program.

**1 July 2011 Points Test**
Australia’s points test is an objective assessment tool used to select skilled migrants with the skills and attributes most needed to contribute to Australia’s future. Information about the 1 July 2011 points test is available on the Department’s website see: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-test.pdf
For detailed information outlining transitional arrangements see: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-test-transitional.pdf
For information about recognition of qualifications and employment in the 1 July 2011 points test see:www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/quals-skilled.pdf
Information about the 1 July 2011 points test has been made available on the Agents Gateway. Www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/resources/points-test-useful-links/
Due to a delay in updating the 1 July stack of LEGEND, a copy of PAM 3:Sch6C - General points (General Skilled Migration visas) is being made available on the Agents Gateway:www.immi.gov.au/gateways/agents/pdf/sch6c-pam.pdf 

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.

Statistics Anyone?

DIAC has this week published some interesting statistics about a number of visa programs, including the, increasingly popular 457 visa....

Subclass 457 State – Territory Summary Report 1 July 2010 to 30 April 2011

Creative commons attribution for the graphic.

Sustainable Population Strategy

Unfortunately I have been neglecting this blog this year....this is about to change.

The government released its Sustainable population strategy on 13 May 2011.
Perhaps not surprisingly one of the things which is to be encouraged is migration to regional areas and enhancements to the RSMS (regional sponsored migration scheme).

It has been a policy bugbear for many years that a majority of migrants end up in Sydney or Melbourne. I am not really convinced this will ever change as they are the biggest centres with the biggest opportunities.

Japanese in Australia

According to the 2006 Census, there are more than 28 000 Australians who were born in Japan. There are also an estimated 11 000 Japanese tourists currently onshore, and nearly 6 200 students from Japan in Australia.


In light of the earthquake and tsunami,the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has announced some visa assistance for anyone who is here and unable to leave or for Australians living in Japan who want to bring their (non-Australian) family members here.


View the full press release here.


Creative commons attribution for the photograph (taken on Australia Day in Adelaide).

Changes to 457 Skills List

First blog post for the year....

There has been some tinkering with the skilled occupation list for the 457 visa.

Seven occupations have been removed:

Hospitality, Retail and Service Managers (ANZSCO 149999)
Private Investigator (442214)
Beauty Therapist (451111)
Bookmaker (552311)
Insurance Consultant (552312)
Production Assistant (Film, Television, Radio or Stage) (599912)
Motion Picture Projectionist (711912)

Four occupations have been added:

Sugar Cane Grower (121217)
Small Engine Mechanic (321214)
Real Estate Agency Principal (612113)
Wool Buyer (639212)
In addition, several occupations now have excluded or restricted categories:

Café or Restaurant Manager (141111) (Excluding positions in Fast Food or Takeaway Food Services)
University Lecturer (242111) (Suitable for the position of Research Associate or Research Fellow in a university)
Butcher or Smallgoods Maker (351211) (Excluding the activity of slaughtering animals, or primarily boning, slicing or packaging meat in a non-retail setting)

Thanks go to the MIA (www.mia.org.au) who circulated this information as a service to their members.

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.