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André Burger & Associates |
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Australian Immigration Services |
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News |
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Regional classification for Perth September 2011
Perth has been added to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), from 12 September 2011. As such Perth has been classified as regional for the following migration programs:
· Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 119 & 857) · Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) (Subclass 475) · Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) (Subclass 487) · Skilled Regional (permanent) (Subclass 887).
The inclusion of Perth in the Regional program has also seen changes to the Regional Certifying Body network. .Permanent employer sponsored visas review August 2011
The department is undergoing a review of the permanent employer sponsored visa program and has released a review discussion paper. The discussion paper is designed to facilitate public consultation for the employer sponsored visas review, which the department is conducting.
Changes to the Employer Nomination Scheme July 2011
From 1 July 2011 a number of minor changes were be introduced to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS). The changes included the removal of some occupations and the addition of others as well as an increase to the Minimim Salary for the program.
New Points Test details released June 2011
The Immigration Department has released more specific details about the new points test to be introduced from the 1st of July 2011. The main difference from the basic details released last year regards points allocation for Employment Experience.
Transitional arrangements will continue to apply to certain international students and former international students where the current points system may still apply. And old MODL.
New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) June 2011
An amended Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will become effective on the 1st of July 2011. The new list will see 13 new occupations added including; Hospital and Retail Pharmacist, Solicitor, Fitter and Ship Wright. 4 occupations have been removed which are; Optometrist, Orthoptist, Panel Beater and Vehicle Painter.
Skilled Migrant Selection Model proposed for 2012 May 2011
The Immigration Department has released details about a proposed new system for Skilled Migration to be introduced in July 2012. The new system will involve applicants lodging an expression of interest (EOI) with the Immigration Department. Applicants will still need to meet the visa criteria to lodge an EOI and will require Sills Assessments and English results before applying. The EOI is not a visa application! After the EOI is lodged, applicants can only proceed to lodging a visa application, if they receive an “invitation” to by the Immigration Department.
Changes to Eligible subclass 457 Occupation List February 2011
Changes to the list of Eligible Occupation under the Subclass 457 visa program were introduced in February 2011. Seven occupations have bee removed from the list while four have been added. There have also been slight changes to the English language exemptions for some occupations .
New Skilled Occupations List and ENS Occupation List December 2010
17 new occupations have been added to the Employer Nomination Scheme Occupations List including Fitter and Turner, Network Administrator and Web Designer.
The main change to the Skilled Occupation List is that TRA is now the only Assessing Authority listed for trade occupations.
New Points Test for General Skilled Migration November 2010
The Immigration Department has announced details of a new points test system to be implemented by the 1st of July 2011. This will be a totally new system with no points allocated for the occupation nominated. Some of the major changes include:
· Increased maximum age to 49 years; · More points for high level English language competency; · More points for high level qualifications such as PhD; · More points for long employment experience in the nominated occupation.
See here for more details.
State Migration Plans (SMP) November 2010
After a long wait the much anticipated State Migration Plans have started to be released. Victoria was the first with their SMP going live on the 3rd of November with ACT going live from the 8th of November. The Northern Territory has followed with their SMP released on the 17th of November. Other states to follow.
The Immigration Minister, Chris Bowen, has said that “State Migration Plans will help to support the Australian economy by attracting skilled migrants who can positively contribute to our workforce”.
Document Ready Checklists (DRC) 03 October 2010
Some processing areas of the Immigration Department have adopted Decision Ready Checklists to streamline their assessment process and give priority to applications which are decision ready.
Currently Decision Ready Checklist priority processing is available to some on shore General Skilled Migration applications processed by the Brisbane Processing centre, as well as Employer Nomination (ENS) and Regional Sponsored Migration (RSMS) applications.
Speak to our staff to enquire if the Decision Ready Checklist can speed up the processing of your application.
Priority Processing Arrangements 19 July 2010
New priority processing arrangements have been announced which took effect from 14 July 2010. Under the latest changes:
1. ENS and RSMS will continue to receive the top priority; 2. The yet to be introduced State Migration Plans; 3. Applications nominating an occupation on the new SOL; 4. All other applications in order of lodgment.
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