Beginning of New Points Test for Australian Immigration!

It is planned that a new points test for skilled migration visa applications will be bring in on 1 July 2011. It balances the sequence of reforms the Australian Government announced in February 2010.

The fresh points test is focused on picking highly skilled people to transport a more receptive and targeted migration program. It was developed following an evaluation of the present point’s test, which considered obedience from various experts and the wider Australian community.

The new points test balances the dissimilar factors that are measured when determining whether somebody will be granted a skilled migration visa. It will transport the best and brightest skilled migrants by emphasizing high level qualifications, improved English language levels and wide skilled work experience.

The fresh points test will carry on to award points for study in Australia, counting regional study, community languages, partner skills and completing an accepted Professional Year. Points will no longer be rewarded on the basis of an applicant’s profession, but all applicants have to still nominate an profession on the applicable Skilled Occupation List.

It is vital to note that the new points test will only be relevant to one component of the skilled migration program. This change won’t have an effect on every type of skilled migration visa and only applies to the following visas.

• Subclass 885 Skilled Independent

• Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored

•Subclass 175 Skilled Independent

•Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored

•Subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored

•Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored

It is planned that the new points test will be appropriate to applications made from 1 July 2011, if not the applicant is entitled for transitional arrangements.

Transitional arrangements are relevant to people who, on 8 February 2010 held or had applied for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485). Until the end of 2012, this group is able to submit an application for a permanent skilled visa under the points test in effect as at 8 February 2010.

Student visa holders who lodge an application for points tested skilled migration from 1 July 2011 will be assessed under the new points test. There are still transitional arrangements which may apply to those students affected by the reforms announced on 8 February 2010. People who held an eligible Student visa on 8 February 2010 still have until the end of 2012 to apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485) under the arrangements in place for that visa as at 8 February 2010.

The pass mark is the numeral of points required to be qualified for skilled migration. The pass mark is a tool that allows for organization of the skilled migration program and is forever subject to change. It is predictable that the pass mark will be set at 65 points.

New Points Test

Factor Description Points

Age

18-24 25 points

25-32 30 points

33-39 25 points

40-44 15 points

45-49 0 points

English language

Competent English - IELTS 6 0 points

Proficient English - IELTS 7 10 points

Superior English - IELTS 8 20 points

Australian work experience in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation

One year Australian (of past two years) 5 points

Three years Australian (of past five years) 10 points

Five years Australian (of past seven years) 15 points

Overseas work experience in nominated occupation or a closely related occupation

Three years overseas (of past five years) 5 points

Five years overseas (of past seven years) 10 points

Eight years overseas (of past 10 years) 15 points

Qualifications

(Australian or recognized overseas)

Bachelor degree (including a Bachelor degree with Honours or Masters )

• Offshore recognised apprenticeship - 10 points

• AQFIII/IV completed in Australia - 15 points

• Diploma completed in Australia

PhD 20 points

Recognition of Australian Study Minimum two years fulltime (Australian study requirement)

5 points

Designated language 5 points

Partner skills 5 points

Professional Year 5 points

Sponsorship by state or territory government 5 points

Sponsorship by family or state or territory government to regional Australia

10 points

Study in a regional area 5 points