Archive for category Australian Skilled Visas
NSW State Sponsorships – Subclass 190 Nominations – Closed Until July 2013
Posted by admin in Australian Skilled Visas, Australian State Sponsored Visas, South Australia, South Australia State Sponsorship List on April 11th, 2013
We have been advised that applications for NSW nomination under the Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 visa for the 2012-13 financial year have reached full capacity and have closed for this year.
We have also been advised that the State will resume accepting applications for subclass 190 nominations in July 2013.
In the meantime the State will continue to process applications received up to close-of-business on 11 April 2013.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Change to the Australian Skilled Visa Points Threshold
Posted by admin in 1 July 2012, Australian Skilled Visas, australian points test on June 18th, 2012
The Australian Department of Immigration has announced a change to the points test threshold as it will apply from 1 July 2012.
Currently the points threshold for skilled visa applicants is set at 65 points.
From 1 July 2012, and until further notice, the threshold for new applicants will be
lowered to 60 points.
Although this is fantastic news, it is worth bearing in mind that meeting the 60 points threshold is not automatically a guarantee that an applicant will receive an invitation to apply for a visa; the new system will operate in a way where the selection of applicants will depend on their overall score as well as the quality of their qualifications and work experience.
This means that the higher the score, and general quality of an application (taking into account qualifications and work experience), the greater the likelihood that an application will be selected from the pool of eligible applicants and will be invited to apply for a visa.
For more information about the new points threshold please click here.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
New Skilled Occupations List (SOL) released for 1 July
Posted by admin in 1 July 2012, 176, Australian Migration Legislation, Australian Skilled Visas, SOL, Skilled Occupations List on June 14th, 2012
The Department of Immigration has now released its updates SOL, in anticipation of 1 July changes.
This new list will be effective from 1 July (Australian time).
The list contains the following new occupations:
133513 Production Manager (Mining)
234912 Metallurgist
251411 Optometrist
263111 Computer Network and Systems Engineer
The list no longer contains these occupations:
234211 Chemist
252711 Audiologist
331111 Bricklayer
333411 Wall and Floor Tiler
The occupations that have been removed can still be applied for after 1 July via the state sponsored skilled visa scheme, provided that they are being sponsored by a State.
For more information about the new list please click HERE.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian State Sponsored Visas – Links to State Sponsorship Lists
Posted by admin in 176, Australia - News, Australian Skilled Visas, SMP, SMPs, South Australia State Sponsorship List, State and Territory Nominations, australian points test on September 21st, 2011
Victoria has overnight updated its list of occupations for the purposes of state sponsorship nominations.
Below is a link to the Victorian list of currently sponsored occupations, as well as the links to the occupations being sponsored by the remaining Australian States and Territories:
the list:
regional:
http://www.business.nsw.gov.au/live-and-work-in-nsw/visa-and-migration/skilled-regional-migration
List
http://203.210.126.185/dsdweb/v4/apps/web/secure/docs/4498.pdf
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
ACT (Canberra) State Migration Plan (SMP) Update
Posted by admin in Australian Skilled Visas on July 7th, 2011
A new SMP Occupation List July 2011 for Canberra (Australian Capital Territory) will come into effect on Monday 11 July 2011.
There have being minor changes made to the July SMP List:
131112 Sales and Marketing managers: Limited
135111 Information and Technology Manager: Closed
139912 – 19 Other Specialist manager: Limited
261111-263113 Computing Professionals: Closed
The new list will be available here:
http://www.business.act.gov.au/skilled_and_business_migration/SMP_Occupation_List
In addition, the ACT Government is undertaking a survey of the occupations in demand in Canberra and will be updating the new list when the results of the survey have been processed. A further updated list may therefore be published in September, when there is expected to be significant changes to the list of occupations.
The RSMS Guidelines have also being updated to incorporate the minimum salary of $49,330. The minimum salary comes for RSMS visa applicants will come into effect Monday 11 July 2011.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
New Australian Skilled Visa Points Test – coming on 1 July 2011
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, australian points test on November 11th, 2010
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION WILL BE UPDATED REGULARLY AS FURTHER INFORMATION COMES TO HAND.
PLEASE RE-LOAD YOUR PAGE TO ENSURE THAT YOU ARE ACCESSING THE MOST UP TO DATE INFORMATION:
The Australian Government has announced a significant overhaul of its skilled visa points system which will apply to all skilled visa applicants from 1 July 2011. From 1 July 2011 all skilled visa applications will be awarded points as follows:
Points for Age
25 points = applicants aged 18 to 24
30 points = applicants aged 25 to 32
25 points = applicants aged 33 to 39
15 points = applicants aged 40 to 44
0 points = applicants aged 45 to 49
Points for English Language Ability
10 points = applicants with Proficient English (7 in each of the 4 bands of the IELTS)
20 points = applicants with Superior English (8 in each of the 4 bands of IELTS).
Points for Overseas Work Experience
Points are available for overseas work experience, so long as the work experience is in the applicant’s nominated occupation, or closely related occupation.
5 points = 3 of the last 5 years
10 points = 5 of the last 7 years
15 points = 8 of the last 10 years
Points Recognised Qualifications (Australian or Overseas)
5 points = for applicants who complete a qualification taking 2 years of study in Australia
5 points = for 2 years of study in a regional or low population growth area
10 points = for applicants with an Australian AQF III or higher, completed in Australia OR for applicants who have completed a recognised apprenticeship overseas.
15 points = for applicants with a recognised Bachelor degree in Australia or overseas.
20 points = for applicants with a PhD.
Points for Australian Work Experience
Points will be available for work experience in Australia, so long as the work experience is in the applicants’ nominated occupation, or closely related occupation.
5 points = 1 of the last 2 years
10 points = 3 of the last 5 years
15 points = 5 of the last 7 years
Points for Sponsorship by State/Territory Government
5 points = for sponsorship to live in a metropolitan area
10 points = for sponsorship to live in a regional area
Points for Sponsorship by Family
5 points = for sponsorship to live in a regional area
Points for Partner Skills
5 points = for partner skills
Points for Designated Language (Second Language)
5 points = for applicants who have completed a degree level qualification taught in a designated language; or who are NAATI-accredited translators or interpreters in a designated language
Points for Completing a Professional Year in Australia
5 points = for applicants who have completed a professional year in Australia. This is typically undertaken by international students after completion of their studies in Australia. Current occupations where this is possible include Information Technology, Accounting and Engineering.
The new POINTS THRESHOLD WILL BE SET AT 65 POINTS for all visa applicants.
For detailed information about the changes please visit the Department’s Website and read the Department’s fact sheet.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
ACT (Canberra) State Migration Plan Update
Posted by admin in Australia - News, Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Australian Skilled Visas, Australian State Sponsored Visas, SMP, State Migration Plan, State and Territory Nominations on November 10th, 2010
The Australian Capital territory (ACT) has now released it’s list of sponsored occupations under its new State Migration Plan (SMP).
The ACT State Migration Plan (SMP) Occupation List and the 176 / 886 Nomination guidelines that now apply can be found on the ACT Website.
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Victoria Releases New Sponsorship List
Posted by admin in Australian Skilled Visas, Australian State Sponsored Visas, Victoria State Sponsorship List on November 2nd, 2010
We are very excited to be able to confirm that Victoria will be releasing it’s long awaited new list of sponsored occupations (via the SMP – State Migration Plan) tomorrow, 3rd November 2010.
Under the Plan the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year.
For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.
Advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists on teh Victoria website, stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation and/or if the quota has been reached.
For a full list of occupations eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship consideration, see the LiveinVictoria website:
Eligibility Lists
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Sort Out My Visa is a registered and licensed Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
The Australian Budget and its Impact on Migration
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Budget, Australian Migration Legislation, Australian Skilled Visas, Chris Evans Minister for Immigration, DIAC, Department of Immigration on May 13th, 2010
The Australian Government’s Budget for 2010-11 spells mostly good news for people who want to migrate to Australia on a temporary or permanent basis.
In particular, the immigration program is set to remain at about the current size, with small changes to some of the visa schemes, in line with the Government’s aim to continue to focus on current demand driven migration. This means that the focus will continue to be on individuals who can help fill Australian’s skilled shortages, and individuals who have an employer on board ready to provide sponsorships.
With this in mind, the total number of migrant places will remain at the current level of 168,700 places. Of this number about 113,850 places will be reserved for skilled migrants (this is an increase of about 5000 places, with most being reserved for employer sponsored skilled migrants) and 54,550 places for family migrants (a decrease of about 5000 places).
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skilled Visas – Temporary Suspension of Some Skilled Visas Lodgments
Posted by admin in 1 July 2010, Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, DIAC, Department of Immigration, SOL, Skilled Occupations List on May 11th, 2010
The Australian Department of Immigration (DIAC) announced a number of changes over the weekend that have an impact on the preparation and lodgment of some skilled visa applications.
In particular the Department has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of any new General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications until the much anticipated new Skilled Occupations List will become law on 1 July 2010.
(The final version of the new list was supposed to have been released by the end of April, but will not now be released until later this month.)
Although we do not know which occupations will be included in the final version of the new Skilled Occupations List, a draft list of the new skilled occupations that has been released contains the following occupations:
1331* Construction Managers
1332 Engineering Managers
1341 Child care centre managers
1342 Health and welfare services managers
2633 Telecommunications engineering professionals
1343 School principals
2711 Barristers(d)
1344 Other education managers
2712 Judicial and other legal professionals(d)
2211 Accountants(a)
2713 Solicitors(d)
2212 Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers(b)
2723 Psychologists
2221 Financial brokers
2725 Social workers
2241 Actuaries, mathematicians and statisticians(c)
3122 Civil engineering draftspersons and technicians
2245 Land economists and valuers
3132 Telecommunications technical specialists
2311 Air transport professionals
3211 Automotive electricians
2312 Marine transport professionals
3212 Motor mechanics
2321 Architects and landscape architects
3221 Metal casting, forging and finishing trades workers
2322 Cartographers and surveyors
3222 Sheet metal trades workers
2326 Urban and regional planners
3231 Aircraft maintenance engineers
2331 Chemical and materials engineers
3233 Precision metal trades workers
2332 Civil engineering professionals
3241 Panel beaters
2333 Electrical engineers
3243 Vehicle painters
2334 Electronics engineers
3311 Bricklayers and stonemasons
2335 Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
3312 Carpenters and joiners
2336 Mining engineers
3321 Floor finishers
2339 Other engineering professionals
3322 Painting trades workers
2341 Agricultural and forestry scientists
3331 Glaziers
2346 Medical laboratory scientists
3332 Plasterers
2347 Veterinarians
3334 Wall and floor tilers
2393 Teachers of English to speakers of other languages
3341 Plumbers
2411 Early childhood (pre-primary school) teachers
3411 Electricians
2544 Registered Nurses
2611 ICT Business and Aystems analysts2613 Software and applications programmers
2412 Primary school teachers
3421 Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
2413 Middle school teachers
3422 Electrical distribution trades workers
2414 Secondary school teachers
3423 Electronics trades workers
2415 Special education teachers
3942 Wood machinists and other wood trades workers
2421 University lecturers and tutors
3991 Boat builders and shipwrights
2511 Dieticians 3996 Sign writers
2512 Medical imaging professionals
4112 Dental hygienists, technicians and therapists
2514 Optometrists and orthoptists
4114 Enrolled and mothercraft nurses
2515 Pharmacists
4115 Indigenous health workers
2521 Chiropractors and osteopaths
4231 Aged and disabled carers
2523 Dental practitioners
4233 Nursing support and personal care workers
2524 Occupational therapists
4412 Fire and emergency workers
2525 Physiotherapists
4413 Police
2526 Podiatrists
2527 Speech professionals and audiologists
2531 Generalist medical practitioners
2532 Anaesthetists
2533 Internal medicine specialists
2534 Psychiatrists
2535 Surgeons
2539 Other medical practitioners
2542 Nurse educators and researchers
2543 Nurse managers
(* The ANZSCO unit group code number; (a) CPA or equivalent; (b) Auditors only; (c) Actuaries only; (d) Legal professionals admitted to practice only.)
Irrespective of the above list, Australian States have indicated that State Sponsorship Lists will be updated and expanded on 1 July 2010 and will contain occupations that may not appear on the new skilled occupations list. In other words, although an occupation may not be listed on the new Skilled Occupations List, this does not mean that a skilled individual will be unable to migrate to Australia under one of the skilled visa categories.
Other possible changes in July 2010 may be an increase in the age threshold; for most visas this is currently limited to individuals who are under 45 years of age.
It is also possible that there will be some changes to the current skilled points test.
Further information about the above changes or any future changes will be posted on this website as and when they become available.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian Skilled Occupations List – Postponed
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, CSL, DIAC, Department of Immigration, MODL, SOL, Skilled Occupations List on May 4th, 2010
The much anticipated release of the Department of Immigration’s (DIAC) new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) has been postponed.
The new list was to be released by the end of April, or in early May. The early release of the list would have allowed visa applicants who may be disadvantaged by the list to submit their visa applications prior to the new list coming into force in July 2010.
The delay in the release of the list may mean that those who may be affected by any changes in the list will not have enough notice to ensure that they submit their visa applications prior to July 2010.
Our advice is for all applicants who are able to submit their visa applications prior to 1 July 2010 to seriously consider doing so as soon as possible. Submission prior to July 2010 will mean that their visa applications should be considereed under the existing list rather than the new list.
This advice is particularly important for individuals in occupations that are expected to be removed from the skilled occupations list, such as hairdressers and cooks.
Please feel free to contact us if you require any further information or adivce about the proposed changes to the SOL and how such changes may affect you.
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Sort Out My Visa is a Australian and NZ visa specialist, providing visa and migration services to individuals and families wanting to travel to, conduct business, work or live in Australia or New Zealand. Visit Sort Out My Visa for more information.
Australian State Sponsorships – Update
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, Australian State Sponsored Visas on July 2nd, 2009
Due to the economic downturn, many of the Australian States have been revising their lists of occupations for which they will sponsor visa applicants. The latest revision came from the Queensland State Government. South Australia and the Australian Capital Territory are both in the process of re-assessing their lists and will announce changes shortly.
Here are links to the State websites, where you will be able to find informaiton about the latest lists:
New South Wales – They are currently only sponsoring professionals in the IT, Finance and Pharmaceutical sectors.
Victoria – scroll to the bottom of the FAQs page for the relevant links.
South Australia – scroll down to find the links to the State’s lists.
Australian Visas – Important 1 July Legislative Changes
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Migration Legislation, Australian Skilled Visas, Australian Visa Requirement, Australian Working Holiday Visas on June 27th, 2009
On 1 July the Australian Department of Immigration will be introducing the following legislative changes to the way visa application are dealt with and to the criteria that apply to visa applications:
- There will be an increase in most visa and citizenship application fees (see our previous post for more details) of 4.4% to 20%. There will also be the inevitable form changes that usually accompany the DIAC’s legislative changes.
- Contributory Parent visa applicant couples will both have to apply for their contributory parent visas together and at the outset, rather than trying to save money by applying individually and then via the partner/spouse visa route.
- A change in sponsor for remaining relative and parent visa applicants will now be permitted anytime up until the time of decision on a visa application. Provided of course that the new sponsor can meet all sponsorship requirements.
- All parent visa applicants will have to satisfy Balance of Family Test criteria at the time of making their visa application, rather then at the time of decision.
- Retirement visa (subclass 410) holders will no longer be restricted to just 20 hours of work per week.
- Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants (tertiary educated 18 to 30 year olds from Chile, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey and the USA) will now have 12 months to enter Australia from the dates of their visa grants.
- All applicants for 175, 176 and 475 skilled visas with a nominated trade occupation who are not UK, USA, Canada or NZ passport holders or otherwise meet the English Language requirements, will have to provide evidence of an IELTS score of 6.0 in each of the four parts of the IELTS test.
- The Concessional Competent English level for sponsored 475 visa applicants has been raised from an average of IELTS 5.5 to an average of IELTS 6.0.
For full details of the above 1 July 2009 changes, and all other legislative changes to Australian migration law, please follow this link.
Australian Visa Application Fees Increase On 1 July 2009
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, Visa Application Fees on June 24th, 2009
The Australian Department of Immigration has announced an increase in visa application fees from 1 July 2009. From 1 July 2009 most fees will increase by up to 20%.
Here are details of some of the most common visa fee increases:
- Tourist Visa Application Fees (for paper based applications only): AUD$105
- Business Short Stay Visa Application Fees: AUD$105
- Skilled Visa Application Fees: AUD$2,525
- Skilled Graduate Visa Application Fees: AUD$230
- Working Holiday Visa Application Fees: AUD$230
- Student Visa Application Fees: AUD$540
- Partner/Family Visa Application Fees (lodged outside Australia): AUD$1,705
- Most Provisional Business Visa Application Fees: AUD$3,360
- Residence (permanent) Business Visa Application Fees: AUD$1,410
For details of all visa application fee increases, visit the DIAC website for more information.
Australian Visa Application Fee to Increase on 1 July
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, Australian Visa Requirement, Australian Working Holiday Visas on June 10th, 2009
The Australian Department of Immigration (DIAC) has announced that there will be fee increase for many Australian visas on 1 July 2009. In line with budget predictions and inflation some visa fee application charges may increase by as much as 20%. Others (for example the second visa application charges (VAC) for contributory visas) should not be increasing as they were raised already last year.
What does this mean for any potential applicants? The lesson, as always, is the same: the sooner you are able to apply for your visa, the better. Once your visa application is submitted it cannot normally be affected by any legislative changes after the time of lodgment of the visa application. But until your application is submitted you are at the mercy of the DIAC and the Australian Government.
We will publish more information as soon as we are aware of the level of fee increases.
However if you would like more information about the fees in the meantime, please feel free to contact us. Sort Out My Visa is a migration and visa specialist, offering visa services to individuals or business requiring assistance with Australian and New Zealand visas.
TRA Form Update
Posted by admin in Australia, Australian Skilled Visas, Australian Skills Assessments, Skills Assessments, TRA, TRA Forms on May 25th, 2009
The TRA has released a new form. This now lets you pay directly with a credit card rather than having to obtain a banker’s draft. The new updated form must be used from 1 July 2009.
Click here for more information: TRA Bulletin
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