General Skilled Migration (GSM stream)
For the general information about the Skilled Migration, please, refer to the special Booklet provided by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC)
Please, note some significant changes to the GSM stream introduced as from 01 July 2010......
Due to the acute than ever shortages of skilled labor force (especially in the regional Australia) both Federal and State/Territory Governments strive to encourage the influx of skilled migrants to Australia.
The Skilled Migration is based entirely on the Points Test System, which means that in order to be successful the applicant must achieve the requisite number of points.
For GSM categories, with the exception of the Skilled — Designated Area Sponsored and the Skill Matching visa classes, applicants must pass a points test.
The applicants must nominate an occupation which fits their skills and qualifications. The nominated occupation must be listed in the Australian Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The applicants must also have their skills/qualifications positively assessed by a relevant recognized Australian assessing authority to be eligible to apply for a visa under General Skilled Migration stream.
See: Current Skilled Occupations List - (SOL)
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Employer Nominated Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL)
Applicants are awarded points for:
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•Skill
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•Age
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•English language proficiency
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•Specific work experience
- •Australian qualifications
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•Study and residence in regional Australia or low population growth metropolitan areas
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•Spouse skills
- •State/territory sponsorship
•Eligible relative sponsorship
Applicants may also receive bonus points for one of the following: -
•Australian work experience
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•Fluency in one of Australia's community languages (other than English)
The scale and breakdown of points to be awarded for each of the above categories can be viewed in detail on pp.19-32 of the DIAC Booklet
Applications which achieve a score below the passmark (but above the pool mark) will be held in reserve for up to two years after it is assessed. If the passmark is lowered during this period and the applicant's score is at, or above, the new passmark, the application will proceed. If it is not, then the application will be refused.
The pass mark changes from time to time. Applicants should check the department's website for the current passmark.
What are the current pass and pool marks?
As to date the `pass` mark for General Skilled Migration is set at 120 points and for Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Migration it is 100 points.
Minimum pass marks apply to the various categories. Additional points for 'Specific Work Experience' can also be obtained where an applicant has worked for 3 out of the last 4 years in the nominated occupation prior to the application. If a person has 3 years of work experience, but not all of it in the nominated occupation it is still possible in most cases, to score additional points.
Applicants for skilled migration must have an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) published and amended regularly by DIAC. This is a selection of occupations from the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations dictionary (the ASCO code).
IMPORTANT!
As of 1 September 2007 some important changes to the General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) came into effect.
The summary of changes introduced is as follows:
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- increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants;
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- rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency;
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- greater emphasis on skilled work experience;
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- introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates;
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- simplifying the GSM visa structure;
The threshold level of English language proficiency has been 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 are required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5.5.
Under the points test system, bonus points are given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level (IELTS overall band score 7.0 or higher) and additional points are allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.
To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, there are 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 have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) to build on their skills and work experience. This visa has 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 now 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.
SKILLED MIGRATION CORE CRITERIA
The main applicants for visas under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) must satisfy the following major criteria:
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• Age
All applicants must be younger than 45 years of age at the time of lodging their migration application.
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• English language proficiency
All applicants must be proficient in English, at least, at the competent level.
The main applicants must provide a recent IELTS test certificate with overall band score of minimum 6.0 with no individual sub score of 6.0 on all four components. Apllicants providing IELTS test certificate with overall band score of 7.0 or higher with no individual sub score of 7.0 on all four components will get additional points. The IELTS test certificate must be recently obtained (less than 2 years old at the moment of visa application lodgement).
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• Skills
The main applicants must have obtained a postsecondary education equivalent to at least an Australian Bachelor Degree or Diploma level prior to applying for a visa.
The main applicants must nominate an occupation listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).
See: Current Skilled Occupations List - (SOL) - click here
Skilled Occupation List (SOL) and Employer Nominated Skilled Occupation List (ENSOL)
The main applicants must have their skills and qualifications positively assessed by a relevant recognized Australian assessing authority prior to applying for a visa.
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• Recent work experience
The main applicants must have at least 12 months of recent work experience in the nominated occupation in the last 18 months preceding immediately the visa application lodgement.
The work experience requirement is waived for applicants who have completed an Australian qualification in the six months before they lodge their migration application.
In addition to the above core criteria, the applicants must meet the basic requirements in terms of:
- work experience relevant to the nominated occupation;
- health condition;
- character profile;
How to have your skills recognized in Australia.....
The cut-off age for skilled migration is 45 and as a person approaches this age it becomes more and more difficult to pass the points test. However, applicants with an occupation on the MODL can often pass the points test even if they are in the age group of 40-45.
SKILLED MIGRATION CATEGORIES
If you apply outside Australia:
Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)
A permanent visa for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.
Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)
A permanent visa for people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 475)
A three (3) year provisional visa for people who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.
Skilled – Recognised Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 476)
An 18 month temporary visa for graduates of recognised overseas educational institutions who have skills in demand in Australia. There is no points test for this visa.
If you apply inside Australia:
Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)
A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.
Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)
A permanent visa for eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa
Skilled – Regional (Residence) visa (subclass 887)
A permanent visa for eligible provisional visa holders who have lived for at least two (2) years and worked for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area in Australia.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa (subclass 487)
A three (3) year provisional visa for eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.
Skilled – Graduate (Temporary) visa (subclass 485)
An 18 month temporary visa for overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study. Allows applicants who are unable to pass the points test to remain in Australia for 18 months to gain the skills and experience needed to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration visa. No points test applies.
Please, feel free to contact us, should you have any queries or require any additional information. Thank you!
General Skilled Migration
