Michaela Byers - Australian Immigration Lawyer

Australian Immigration Lawyer

The new changes after 1 July 2011 regarding Skilled Migration visas:

The new points test is now set at 65 points.

To meet the eligibility requirements, the applicants need to be under 50 years old, meet the minimum score of 6 in the IELTS test, have a skill assessment for the nominated occupation and have a recent employment in Australia or overseas in the nominated occupation on the Skilled Occupation List.

The visa applicant can have a combined Australian and overseas employment in the nominated occupation over the past ten years but can only be awarded a maximum of 20 points.

Further points may also be awarded for an Australian or recognised overseas qualifications.

Even though the visa applicant does not accrue points for an occupation, the nominated occupation must be on the Skilled Occupation List or if sponsored by the state government, it needs to be on the state occupation list.

Information for international students who are eligible for transitional arrangements:

If you held a Skilled Graduate (Subclass 485) visa on the 8 February 2010 or had made a valid application for the same before that date, then you may be eligible for transitional arrangements.

This means that if your nominated occupation appears on both the old and new Skilled Occupation Lists, then your application is assessed against the points test which was in effect on the 8 February 2010. If you do not meet the pass mark for new points test, then your application will be assessed under the old points test.

If your nominated occupation only appears on the new SOL, then the application will be assessed under the new points test.

The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice.
You should consult a lawyer for individual advice regarding your own situation.

Immigration Update