As outlined in the December issue of the Masala Newsline, anticipated changes to the general skilled migration points test will take effect from 1 July.

 

The new points test will apply to all applicants who are not transational applicants (i.e. those who had a pipeline application as at February 2010).

 

Only one change has been made to the previously published test, in relation to work experience. An applicant’s work experience within Australia and overseas will be considered within the past decade meaning that applicants may be able to claim points within both categories, giving better prospects for meeting the pass mark of 65 points.

 

Other legislative changes take effect from 1 July 2011 include:

 

GSM: English language reauire;ent for skilled applications

From 1 July 2011 applicants must lodge, with their application, evidence that they have met the English language threshhold. IELTS results at the appropriate level will be required to be lodged with the visa application.

 

This change relates not only to the English treshhold required to be met in GSM visa categories of IELTS 6, but also by applicants who are claiming points for proficient (IELTS 7) or superior (IELTS 8 ) levels of English.

 

GSM: NEw Skilled Occupation List

From 1 July 2011 the following occupations have been added to the SOL:

• Medical Physicist
• Environmental Health Officer
• Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
• Hospital Pharmacists
• Retail Pharmacists
• Barrister
• Solicitor
• Fitter (General)
• Fitter and Turner
• Fitter - Welder
• Metal Machinist (First Class)
• Boat builder and Repairer
• Shipwright

 The following have been removed from the list:

• Optometrist
• Orthopist
• Panel Beater
• Vehicle Painter

 

Fees & Forms

As at every new financial year, DIAC fees will rise again this year. The fee for a GSM permanent residence visa will rise from $2 575 to $2 960. The fee for a Skilled Graduate visa will rise from $235 to $270.

 

A number of visa application forms have also changes and the new forms are now madatory. Check both the form and fee prior to lodging an application after 1 July to ensure that the application is valid.

 

 

India Top Source Country for GSM & 457

Australian Bureau of Statistics data indicates that India was the lead source country for Australia in both the general skilled migration programme and in the temporary sponsored 457 work visa during the 2009-2010 programme year, surpassing the UK

 

 

Parent Visa Boost

Additional visas will be available in the 2011-2012 programme year for Contributory Parents. 7400 visas will be available for the onshore / offshore temporary / permanent categories, 2010 for Aged Parent (onshore) and Parent (offshore) visas.

 

Contributory Parent applicants will therefore expect to be granted a visa within one to two years of lodgement.

 

Contributory Parents pay a ‘contribution’ towards the initial cost of their settlement (in terms of government services) in Australia. At the time of writing the contribution is $37 965.

 

 

Aspire Australia are migration specialists located at Suite 7, Level 8, 97 Pacific Highway, North Sydney, NSW 2060. Tel: 02 9956 6011. Email: visas@aspireaustralia.com.au. Contact us if you have any questions.

 

The information provided in this article is prepared with all care and attention however ot should not be relied upon for professional advice. Persons interested in obtaining a visa should discuss their migration strategy with a registered migration agent.