What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration
* New priority processing directions for certain skilled migration visas – 23 September 2009
* Tighter English language requirements from 1 January 2010
* Introduction of JobReady Test from 1 January 2010
* Submissions welcomed in response to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) Review second Issues Paper
* Closure of the Capital Investment Scheme
* Overpayment of Visa Application Charge
* Changes to English language requirements for offshore applicants from 1 July 2009
* Students and General Skilled Migration
* Changes to Trades Skills Assessments for offshore skills assessments – effective 15 May 2009
* Police checks for online lodged General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications
New priority processing directions for certain skilled migration visas – 23 September 2009
The Minister has set a new priority processing direction which comes into effect on 23 September 2009 and applies to certain skilled migration visas.
See:
2009–2010 Updated Priority Processing ( 64KB PDF file)
Critical Skills List ( 39KB PDF file)
Nomination by State/Territory government
Is your occupation in demand?
Tighter English language requirements from 1 January 2010
On 12 May 2009, the Minister announced tighter English language requirements for onshore GSM applicants from 1 January 2010.
See: Tighter English language requirements for GSM visas from 1 January 2010 ( 43KB PDF file)
Introduction of JobReady Test from 1 January 2010
Applicants who apply for an onshore GSM visa from 1 January 2010 and nominate a trade occupation must meet the new JobReady requirement.
See: Introduction of JobReady Test for GSM visas from 1 January 2010 ( 30KB PDF file)
Submissions welcomed in response to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) Review second Issues Paper
The second issues paper as part of the MODL Review to assess the central skills targeting mechanism for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program is now available.
The evaluation process will be a major step in constructing a framework for migration which will meet Australia's longer term economic, social and demographic needs.
See: Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) Review second Issues Paper
Closure of the Capital Investment Scheme on 31 October 2009 for pre-1 September 2007 GSM visa applications – 6 August 2009
From 31 October 2009, the South Australian Government Financing Authority has announced it will not accept any further applications from GSM applicants who wish to lodge a capital investment, as it will close the scheme.
See: Frequently Asked Questions – Capital Investment Scheme
Overpayment of Visa Application Charge
The department is in the process of contacting specific General Skilled Migration applicants who may have paid a Visa Application Charge greater than the amount prescribed by Migration Regulations. Letters have been sent to affected clients informing them of this situation and of the procedure they will need to follow to process a repayment. It is important that clients only send requested information to the address specified in the letter.
Changes to English language requirements for offshore applicants from 1 July 2009
On 1 July 2009, changes to the minimum English language requirement for General Skilled Migration applicants came into effect. These changes affect applications for subclasses 175, 176 and 475.
Important: The eVisa lodgement process does not automatically identify these changes or prevent lodgement for clients whose English language levels no longer meet the minimum requirements for these visas. Applications lodged without providing evidence of meeting the new English requirements will not meet the criteria for grant of a visa. Clients using the eVisa system who are claiming Concessional Competent English may also be affected by these changes. More information is available on the department’s website.
See: Changes to English Language Requirements for Offshore Applicants
Students and General Skilled Migration
Important new information is available for students about the General Skilled Migration program.
See: Students and General Skilled Migration
Changes to Trades Skills Assessments for offshore skills assessments
Some trade occupations on the Skilled Occupation List have both Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) and Vocational Education Training and Assessment Services (VETASSESS) listed as the assessing authority. Currently VETASSESS, working in a consortium with a number of Australian registered training organisations, is the assessing authority for certain skilled trade occupations if the applicant is a resident of the United Kingdom, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa or the Philippines.
From 15 May 2009, applicants from other countries who are willing and able to be assessed in one of these five countries can choose to be assessed by the VETASSESS consortium, or can continue to apply to TRA for their skills assessment.
Police checks for online lodged General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications
If you are lodging an online onshore GSM visa, you do not need to provide the transaction ID for your Australian Federal Police (AFP) check with your GSM visa application.
The AFP has advised that the transaction ID can only be provided when the check is completed. It is not necessary to contact the AFP to obtain the transaction ID in order for you to lodge your GSM visa application.
Note: You must have already submitted the request for an AFP check before you lodge your GSM visa application.
When you have received your police check, it should be forwarded to the department.
See: Professionals and other skilled migrants visas
