General Skilled Migration visas are for applicants who have particular skills required in Australia and who are not sponsored by an employer. The aim of the GSM program is to select migrants who, because of the skills they possess, are more likely to find skilled employment shortly after they arrive in Australia. A high level of English language ability is recognised as being essential for achieving this objective. Applicants must be under 45 years of age when applying, have a competent level of English, nominate an occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) for which their skills have been assessed by the relevant assessing authority as suitable and have recent work experience. (The SOL is available from the Department’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf ) Most GSM visas require the applicant to be assessed against a points test and to obtain a pass mark. The pass mark is the total points an applicant needs to score to be eligible for a General Skilled Migration visa. The pass mark is either 100 or 120 points depending on the type of visa.
1. Changes to skilled migration processing priorities
On 1 January 2009 a new priority processing approach was introduced to address the needs of industry by targeting skills in critical need across a number of sectors. This approach included priority processing of permanent skilled migration applications and the introduction of a Critical Skills List (CSL), which is a list of occupations that have been identified as being in demand. A new priority direction was introduced on
23 September 2009 to ensure that the skilled migration program is more responsive to the changing needs of the Australian economy. The new direction, which applies to both new applications and those awaiting a decision, includes fast tracking for employer sponsored visa applications and faster processing for state and territory nominated applications with an occupation on the CSL. (The CSL applies to skilled migrants not sponsored by employers.) The list of occupations is available from the Department’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/critical-skills-list.pdf
The new priority processing direction gives priority to applications:
1. with employer sponsorship under the Employer Nomination Scheme and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
2. with State/Territory government sponsorship with a nominated occupation on the CSL
3. with sponsorship by family and with a nominated occupation on the CSL
4. with a nominated occupation on the CSL
5. with nominations by a State/Territory government without a nominated occupation on the CSL
6. with a nominated occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); or sponsorship by family without a nominated occupation on the CSL
7. all other applications
Some GSM visas are exempt from the priority processing. A list of those occupations and more information about the processing priorities is available from the Department’s website at: www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-priority-processing.pdf
2. Increase to English language requirements for General Skilled Migration applicants
In May 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator the Hon Chris Evans, announced that the English language requirement will increase for General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants who nominate a trade and for Skilled-Regional sponsored visa applicants. As of 1 January 2010, all new GSM applicants who nominate a trade will be required to obtain a minimum score of 6.0 in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing Scheme (IELTS). (The previous English language threshold was a minimum of 5.0 on each of the four components of an IELTS test). The increased English language requirement was introduced on 1 July 2009 for GSM applicants applying overseas.
The English language requirement for Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM visa applications will increase from an average of 5.5 across the four components to an average of 6.0 on the test for people applying in Australia from 1 January 2010. The English language requirement increased for applicants applying overseas for a Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM from 1 July 2009.
Any applicants who apply for a GSM visa before 1 January 2010 will not be affected by the increase.
More information about this requirement is available from the Department’s website at www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-english-requirements.pdf
3. JobReady test for General Skilled Migration visas
As of 1 January 2010, applicants for a GSM visa who are applying in Australia and nominate a trade occupation must pass a form of skills assessment to be known as a JobReady test. The JobReady test is to ensure that people who wish to migrate are able to participate in the labour market in the area of their skills and knowledge. The test will not apply to applicants who apply for a GSM visa before 1 January 2010. Applicants applying overseas for a GSM visa already undergo a skills assessment, which is different to this test. The JobReady test is currently being developed in consultation with industry and unions. I will provide you with more detailed information about the test including cost and format when I receive it.
Please contact me if you have any questions or would like further information about any particular visas. I welcome any feedback you may have about the recent changes to the subclass 457 program or any other immigration matter.
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