Changes to the Federal Government’s General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) will commence next month, on 1 September 2007.
The changes, which were announced on 6 April 2007 by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, and the Minister for Education, Science and Training, Julie Bishop, emerged as a result of recommendations from the “Evaluation of the General Skilled Migration Categories”, a report which examined the efficiency and effectiveness of the current structure and the associated Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) points test used in selecting skilled migrants.
The GSM reforms include:
- increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants;
- rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency;
- greater emphasis on skilled work experience;
- introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates; and
- simplifying the GSM visa structure.
The changes are aimed at benefiting applicants with strong English language skills, relevant Australian skilled work experience and advanced Australian tertiary qualifications. The changes also aim to award additional MODL points to applicants with work experience.
According to Ms Bishop, the changes will also ensure higher standards of English are attained by students coming to Australia to study:
“Students wishing to apply for a GSM visa will now be required to have a stronger understanding of the English language and undertake relevant work experience,” she said.
According to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), around 130,000 to 140,000 migration places are allocated each year, with around 97,000 places allocated annually to skilled migrants.
What is a Skilled Migrant?
Since the 1980s, the federal government has developed policies designed to target migrants with experience in areas where there is a skill shortfall, and the GSM programme is aimed at people who are not sponsored by an employer, but are skilled in particular occupations required in Australia. Applicants must be over 18 and under 45 years of age, with good English language ability, and recent skilled work experience or a recently completed eligible Australian qualification.
There is a variety of relevant visas that potential migrants can apply for under the skilled migration program, depending on whether they are applying for an onshore visa, an offshore visa or for a skilled visa as a New Zealand resident. There are also specific requirements to encourage successful business people to settle permanently in Australia and develop new or existing businesses.
As a result of the September 1 changes, applicants with skills in professional, technical or managerial occupations will be required to reach an English proficiency score of 6 (competent) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test. This is an increase from the previous requirement of a score of 5 (vocational).
However, applicants applying for trade occupations will be required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5 (vocational).
Under the points test system, bonus points will also be given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level and additional points will be allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.
Other changes that will be implemented after September 1 will require tighter links between study, work experience and the nominated occupation.
Under the changes, international students who are unable to meet language proficiency requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled Graduate Visa to build on their skills and work experience. This visa will have unrestricted work rights and is intended to increase an applicant’s skills and work experience within their nominated occupation. The changes aim to ensure that overseas students who decide to stay on in Australia after completing their studies have a much better chance of competing for jobs in their chosen vocation.
There are currently 15 GSM visa subclasses available to people onshore and offshore who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia. Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa subclasses - four offshore and five onshore. This new structure enables applicants to more easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances.
The changes will only affect GSM applicants who apply for a visa after 31 August 2007.