AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Australian Skilled Migrant programme under reform

Tuesday, 17 April 2007

Details of reforms to Australia's General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme have been announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP and Minister for Education, Science and Training, the Hon Julie Bishop MP.

The changes will raise the level of English language requirement for applicants applying under the GSM category. Applicants with skills in professional, technical or managerial occupations will be raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent).

Applicants nominated trade occupations will be required to meet the existing threshold of an IELTS score of 5.

‘These important reforms, which take effect from 1 September 2007, will ensure higher standards of English are attained by students coming to Australia to study,’ Ms Bishop said.

‘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,’ Mr Andrews said.

To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, the changes will also introduce a greater emphasis on skilled work experience which will tighten the links between study, work experience and the nominated occupation.

International students who are unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have the opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485). The new visa will have unrestricted work rights and is intended to increase an applicant’s skills and work experience within their nominated occupation.

‘The changes are important for students and our education providers as it creates greater certainty that international students will have the language proficiency to gain the full benefit of their studies. This also assists in maintaining the strong reputation of our education sector as a provider of high quality education to international students,’ Ms Bishop said.

To coincide with the changes, the points test will be adjusted to benefit applicants with advanced Australian tertiary qualifications, Australian skilled work experience and strong English language skills.

The announcement also covers major structural reforms, involving migration visa categories being reduced to four and the 15 skilled migration visa subclasses collapsing to nine. The aim is to create a more efficient visa system which will also result in the ability to lodge all GSM visas ‘online’.

‘The changes would lead to better labour market outcomes for all General Skilled Migration applicants and help deliver the skills Australian employers need,’ said Mr Andrews.

Changes to the General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) will be introduced on 1 September 2007. People who have made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.