Latest Changes in IELTS Score for Australia Immigration

With start of the New Year, Australia’s immigration department made modifications to the English skill prerequisite for applicants who would immigrate in the General Skilled Migration Visa category.

Following are the changes, effected from 01 January 2010:

1. English skill prerequisite for all GSM visa applicants who propose trade occupations have greater than before. Now it is necessary to put on a minimum of 6.0 points on Competent English on every of the 4 modules of an IELTS test.

2. Candidates would not increase points for the General Points Test for vocational English. Previously, there was a condition of receiving a least of 5 points for vocational English on every module of an IELTS test.

3. A state or territory would no longer limit future immigrants claiming concessional competent English to accomplish the condition of receiving sponsorship or nomination.

4. Furthermore, if applicant intends to submit an application with concessional competent English, he will need to get an average of 6 points in IELTS test.

5. Main applicants would not be rewarded with points in the General Points Test if they rely on their partner points; given that the afterward have vocational English.

6. The English language standard for future immigrants applying under Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM Visa class has been enlarged from an average of 5.5 points to an average of 6.0 points in an IELTS test.

Thus one thing is obvious that potential immigrants planning to enter Australia under the General Skilled Migrant Visa category would now need to have higher level of IELTS or English proficiency. On the other hand, the new requirements will only be relevant to applicants who have filed their immigration applications after January1, 2010. Applications filed before the initiation of the changes would not require to meet these standards!

Latest Skills Assessment Requirements For Australian Visas

Starting from January 1, 2010, applicants in certain visa subclasses are required to undergo new skills appraisal done by the appropriate assessing authority as appropriate for their nominated occupations. Future immigrants applying under the following subclasses are bound to have their skills assessed as indicated by the new changes:

Skilled- Independent Subclass 885:
Mostly a permanent visa, this visa is issued to people who have ability and work experience to be able to migrate to Australia. A person can apply for this visa only if he is previously in Australia on a legal visa. It also requires the candidate to be in the state at the time of granting the permit. A Points System evaluates this visa. To be very specific, the applicants are requisite to gain minimum 120 points to be entitled to get this visa.

Skilled- Sponsored Subclass 886:
So as to be qualified to obtain this visa, an applicant must have sponsorship from a family member or relative previously living in Australia or from the government, whichever state or territory. A Points System also evaluates this visa, where minimum of 100 points ought to be obtained in order to pass.

Skilled- Regional Sponsored Subclass 487:
With this visa, a person can additional apply for a permanent Skilled-Regional Visa after he has resided in Australia for a time of two years, and additionally engaged in permanent work for 1 year in a specific regional area. A minimum of 100 points is required to increase by the applicants so as to get this visa. The particular visa class replaced the two of the subclasses, viz. 495 and 496 in the year 2007.

457 Visa Ratio Among Medical and Computing Professionals

As far as Australian Immigration is concerned, it has been found that medical practitioners such as those of nurses and trainee doctors together with computing professionals are the highest in figure to apply. Commonly known as the 457 visa list, it did see a small rise in the numbers in late October and November but it cannot be measured as adequate enough when compared to the earlier numbers. In addition, one of the reasons for this was the employers getting conversant in the new rules and regulations brought out by the DIAC.

A new report on temporary workers in Australians catered proof of the amends made to have had an impact on the regular income which has increased from AU$74,700 to AU$85,300 in the same year during this particular period. This report released by Chris Evans, the Immigration Minister for Australia.

The 457 visas is one of the several visa programs offered by the Australian government to be a magnet for immigrants who are skilled and qualified and could contribute to the Australian economy. The current changes in the pay schemes can be considered as one of the numerous motives that the country is trying to project, particularly when it is under constant criticism.