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Hey folks, at time of typing the ASPC admin section is processing as follows, if you have applied during August why not say hi in our August Applications thread and join other members on the same time line.

Onshore Applications: receipting applications received on 18 July 2007 and acknowledging applications received on 18 July 2007.

Offshore Applications: receipting applications received on 29 June 2007 and acknowledging applications received on 30 April 2007.

Applicants and representatives who have not authorised e-mail communication will not receive separate advice that the ASPC has received and receipted an application and will receive the standard acknowledgement letter and receipt details in due course.

Please note that any delay in acknowledging an application does not affect the date on which a valid application is recorded as having been received and does not delay processing of the application.

Once an application has been acknowledged a case officer is appointed to assess each application as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately.

Processing and Allocation Information

Applications lodged on or before the dates shown below have been allocated to case officers for further processing.

ONSHORE APPLICATIONS

Student/Graduate

Paper based applications: 29 January 2007 (subclass 880), 11 January 2007 (subclass 881) and 15 January 2007 (subclass 882)

E-lodged (on-line) applications: 24 January 2007 (subclass 880) and 22 January 2007 (subclass 881) and 18 January 2007 (subclass 882)

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR VISA)

Paper based applications: 18 January 2007
E-lodged (on-line) applications: 18 January 2007

New Zealand

All applications: 7 February 2007 (all subclasses)

OFFSHORE APPLICATIONS

All paper based applications for Classes BN, BQ, BR, UX and UZ (subclasses 134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 495 and 496)

Priority Applications: 6 October 2006
Non-Priority Applications: 22 September 2006

Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (eSIR visa applications)

E-lodged (on-line) applications: 13 February 2007

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Visa application charges increased on 1 July 2007

The new charges apply only to applications received on or after 1 July 2007 so if you’ve already had confirmation that your application has been received then the old charges will apply.

You can obtain information on the current fees by checking the Form 990i which is available at http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/990i.pdf

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Changes to the General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) will be introduced on 1 September 2007. People who have made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.

Changes will include:

* increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants
* rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency
* greater emphasis on skilled work experience
* introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates
* simplifying the GSM visa structure.

The threshold level of English language proficiency will be raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent) on all four components. However, applicants applying for trade occupations will be required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5.

Under the points test system, bonus points will be given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level and additional points will be allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.

Note: Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) points will only be awarded to applicants with at least 12 months experience in their nominated occupation or one that is closely related.

To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, there will be tighter requirements on links between study, work experience and nominated occupation.

International students who are unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) to build on their skills and work experience. This visa will have unrestricted work rights.

The changes aim to ensure that overseas students who decide to stay on in Australia after completing their studies have a much better chance of competing for jobs in their chosen vocation.

There are currently 15 GSM visa subclasses available to people onshore and offshore, who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia. Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa subclasses – four offshore and five onshore. This new structure enables applicants to more easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances.

I think this is a pretty good move by the Australian Immigration Authority although I would say that as I’ve been fortunate enough to make the move already.

Let us know what you think by posting a comment

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As our regular readers will already know the week we arrived in Australia was also the week we conceived!

I think it’s fair to say that all this happened a lot sooner then either of us expected.

Although we had decided to try for junior number 2 once arriving in Australia we were pretty surprised (although delighted) to find out we were pregnant when the missus did a test on new years day (what a way to start 2007!) 8 month down the track life is starting to get interesting.

I have a personal mobile and a blackberry that I use for work. Both of these I carry around with me constantly. Only the missus has my personal mobile and every time I get a text or the phone rings I nearly have heart failure.

Even though I’ve finished with travelling ‘Over East’ for a while, the logistics of working in the city, a 30 minute train journey away also makes like a little interesting. Continue Reading

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