Why Make it So Hard?

Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration, again guys....
Link here...

Minister's announcement of new Skilled Occupations List – 17 May

On 17 May 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the list of occupations included in the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The introduction of a new list of occupations is part of a package of reforms that reflects the Government's commitment to a labour market demand-driven Skilled Migration Program.
Temporary suspension of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) applications – 7 May

The Australian Government has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications. This temporary measure will begin on 8 May 2010 and is expected to remain in effect until the end of 30 June 2010.

The temporary suspension applies only to primary (main) applicants for the following visa subclasses:

* Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent (Migrant) visa
* Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) visa
* Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa.

There are new arrangements for the provision of evidence for English language ability. Applicants for the following GSM subclasses have until the time of decision to provide evidence of their English language ability.
* Skilled – Independent (Residence) visa (subclass 885)
* Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) visa (subclass 886)
* Skilled – Independent (Migrant) visa (subclass 175)
* Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) visa (subclass 176)
* Skilled – Provisional (Regional Sponsored) visa (subclass 475)
* Skilled – Provisional (Recognised Graduate) visa (subclass 476)
* Skilled – Provisional (Graduate) visa (subclass 485) (where the application was made on or after 27 October 2008).

Applicants should not delay in providing their evidence of English language ability. The department will not delay finalising applications where English language test results have not been provided at time of application. Applicants will have 28 days from the date of application to provide their English language results if they did not provide them at time of application. At this point in time, if evidence has not been provided the application will be refused.

There is no change in the requirements for Skilled – Provisional (Graduate) visa (subclass 485) where the application was made before 27 October 2008 or the Skilled Provisional (Regional Sponsored) visa (subclass 487). The applicant must either provide evidence of English language ability at time of application or provide evidence that they have made a booking to undertake an English language test
New administrative arrangements to meet the health requirement when you make your onshore GSM application – 22 March 2010

Applicants for an onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa must show evidence at the time they make their application, that they have made arrangements to undergo a medical examination.

From 22 March 2010, applicants for an onshore GSM visa need only obtain a reference number from Medibank Health Solutions to meet the time of application health requirement. Applicants should phone Medibank Health Solutions and state that they are applying for a GSM visa and request a reference number. This reference number must then be provided as evidence as part of their GSM application.
Note: Applicants must ensure that they retain a copy of this reference number.

Applicants will be requested to undertake a medical examination by their case officer at a later date.

Applicants who have already applied for GSM and have either made a booking for a medical examination or undertaken their medical examination, do not need to obtain a reference number.
Changes to the skills assessment criterion for onshore GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation – 12 March 2010

From 12 March 2010, applicants applying for a subclass 487, 885 or 886 visa will be able to lodge a valid visa application using an existing suitable skills assessment.

Applicants nominating a trade occupation are no longer required to provide a skills assessment dated on or after 1 January 2010.
See: Changes to the Skills Assessment Requirements for GSM Applicants Nominating a Trade Occupation (323KB PDF file)
Minister's announcement on GSM visas – 8 February 2010

On 8 February 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the following changes to the General Skilled Migration program:

* the outcomes of a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
* the replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010
* offshore GSM visas made before 1 September 2007 would be capped and ceased
* priority processing arrangements
* skills assessment requirements for GSM applicants nominating a trade occupation.

Pre 1 January 2010, applicants applying for permanent migration based on one of the onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa subclasses were required, at time of application, to provide evidence that they had applied for a skills assessment by the relevant assessing authority. At time of decision, a suitable skills assessment was required.

From 1 January 2010, applicants applying for one of the following onshore GSM visa subclasses will be required to have obtained a suitable skills assessment prior to applying for migration in order for the application to be valid and assessed by the department for a decision:

* Skilled - Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 885)
* Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 886)
* Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 487)

1 January 2010 legislative change – Australian Study Requirement and offshore GSM visa applicants

From 1 January 2010, applicants nominating a trade occupation under one of the offshore GSM visa subclasses are no longer able to meet the Australian Study Requirement when seeking to migrate to Australia. This change impacts on the following visa subclasses:

* Skilled - Independent (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 175)
* Skilled - Sponsored (Migrant) Visa (Subclass 176)
* Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) Visa (Subclass 475)

Applicants applying for one of the above visa subclasses and who are nominating a trade occupation can only seek to satisfy the work experience criterion. This criterion requires the applicant to have at least 12 months work experience in a skilled occupation in the 24 months immediately prior to applying.

The option for offshore applicants to apply based on meeting the Australian Study Requirement remains open to all other occupations contained on the Skilled Occupation Demand List (SOL).