Skilled Migration Pass Mark To Be Reduced Under Skillselect

australia skilled migration pass mark

Perhaps it’s not all doom and gloom when it comes to the changes associated with the new Skillselect Visa Program with the Australian Immigration Department announcing that the Skilled Migration pass mark is to be reduced from 65 points. From the 1st July 2012, the pass mark for the new SkillSelect visa subclasses 189, 190 [...]

Business Innovation and Investment Program Points Test – An Overview

Australian Business Innovation and Invest ment program Points Test - An Overview

As we posted yesterday, the The Business Skills Program will be replaced by the Business Innovation and Investment Program on 1 July 2012. Business Innovation and Investment is a niche category in Australia’s skilled migration program. It aims to directly create new business as visa holders become business owners. This is different to the general [...]

Migration Numbers Increased To Fill Skill Gaps

Australian Immigration Numbers to be Increased

Good news for those of you looking to migrate to Australia under the 2012 – 2013 Migration Program. The Federal Government announced yesterday a targeted increase for the the 2012–13 migration program, providing additional places to help fill skills shortages in parts of the Australian economy. Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP said [...]

Three New Point Tested Skilled Migration Visa From July

Changes to points-tested skilled migration visas

As our regular readers will know, reforms to Australia’s skilled migration program take effect on 1 July 2012. Included in these reforms are changes to points tested skilled migration visas for migrants who wish to live and work in Australia without employer sponsorship. Simplifying eligibility requirements, the changes include the introduction of three new points [...]

Australian Students Visa Applicants Who Held a Student Visa on 8 February 2010

Australian Student Visa

A new web page  is available on the Australian Immigration Website for current and former Student visa holders who held a Student visa when the Australian Government announced the skilled migration reforms (8 February 2010). Increasingly in the years leading up to the reforms, the composition of the skilled migration program was being determined by those [...]

Skillselect – Skilled Migrant Selection Register to Go Live 1st July 2012

On 10 May 2011 the Australian government announced the decision to implement a new way to manage Skilled Migration based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequent invitation to apply. The new program is called SkillSelect and will be introduced on 1 July 2012.

On 10 May 2011 the Australian government announced the decision to implement a new way to manage Skilled Migration based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and subsequent invitation to apply. The new program is called SkillSelect and will be introduced on 1 July 2012. The changes to their skilled migration program are quite significant [...]

Skilled Migrants Will Need To Seek Permission Before lodging Application

A radical new item of Australian visa legislation has been announced, with independent skilled migrants set to have to ask permission before lodging their application as of July, 2012.

A radical new item of Australian visa legislation has been announced, with independent skilled migrants set to have to ask permission before lodging their application as of July, 2012. From July 2012, any skilled migrants applying for an Australian visa will have to lodge an online expression of interest and wait to receive an invitation [...]

New Visa Eligibility Criteria for Skilled Migrants On The Way

australia skilled occupations

Applicants for an Australian visa will soon face a range of new eligibility criteria, it was revealed yesterday. From July 2011, wannabe Australian migrants applying under any of the skilled visa streams will have to pass a new points-based test designed to target migrants more closely suited to Australia’s needs. According to Australia’s immigration department, [...]

State Migration Plans – An Overview

Australian State Migration Plans Overview

As you may have noticed, State Migration Plans are being introduced for each Australia state and territory over the coming months in 2010. We’ve already seen an interim list from South Australia and finalised State migration plans from Victoria, however, more are on their way. On 8 February 2010 the Australian Government announced a series [...]

Migration Institute of Australia – Politicians must focus on Skilled Migration

Migration Institute of Australia - Politicians must focus on Skilled Migration

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has called for politicians to focus on skilled migration issues during the election, rather than a “short-sighted” debate on asylum seekers. The MIA has said that Australia’s migration program remains unbalanced, mismanaged and confusing for current and potential migrants, sponsors and for the general public. The true migration issues [...]

Australian Student Visas will not be capped

Australian Student Visa will not be capped - For now

The Rudd Government has no intention of putting a limit on the number of Australian Student Visas issued each year, the Australian Immigration Minister has announced. The Australian Immigration Minister, Senator Chris Evans, said there was no basis for the concerns by education providers about the possible impact of proposed legislation that would allow the [...]

All Not Lost For Chefs and Cooks Following Changes to Skilled Occupation List

Chefs and Cooks Australia Skilled Occupation List

Highly qualified chefs and cooks will continue to be welcome in Australia, despite the removal of these occupations from the new Skilled Occupations List, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said yesterday. The Minister said the removal of these occupations from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) would not hinder the industry’s ability [...]

New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) finally announced

New Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL) finally announced

It’s a little late, however the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), has finally been released by the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Evans. The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. This makes the new [...]

The 2010 Australian Budget and its impact on Australian Immigration Numbers

The 2010 Australian Budget and its impact on Australian Immigration Numbers

The Australian Government released their 2010-11 Australian Budget last night and it contained mixed news for wannabe migrants. Within the report, the Australian Government has announced it intends to sharpen the focus of the Australian skilled migration program on key skills shortages. Overall, the Australian Immigration program will remain the current size but the focus [...]

Migration Places To Be Cut – Did I Say That?

Scott Morrison Backtracks

It’s not a rare occurrence when a politician needs to backtrack and opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison appears to be doing just that. Following our article yesterday where we highlighted a potential risk of migration places being cut If the coalition got into power, in today’s news, Morrison says his comments about cutting the country’s [...]

GSM Points Test Review Discussion Paper Released

discussion paper - australia general skilled migration

As a result of the recent General Skilled Migration (GSM) changes we wrote about on the 8th of February, a review of the GSM Points Test is to be undertaken in the first half of 2010 and a discussion paper will be placed on the department’s website for public comment until 12 March 2010. The discussion paper has now [...]