AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

Changes to Australian immigration system take effect today

Saturday, 1 September 2007

Australia's General Skilled Migration Programme (GSM) has undergone a significant overhaul which takes effect today.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Kevin Andrews, announced a number of reforms of the GSM programme. These reforms will be take effect today.

The changes are expected to benefit migrants with strong English skills, particularly professionals and tradespeople from the United Kingdom who wish to migrate to Australia.

The changes to the GSM include:

• Simplification of the GSM visa structure from 15 to 9 subclasses.
• Increase the English language threshold requirements for all GSM visas.
• Clarification of the recent work experience requirement for all GSM visas.
• Adjustment of the points test to benefit:
• Applicants with strong English language skills;
• Applicants who have Australian skilled work experience, and;
• Applicants with advanced Australian tertiary qualifications.
• Limit the ability to claim MODL points to applicants with recent work experience in the same (or closely related) occupations.

In addition to the above amendments, several policy changes have also been approved, including allowing GSM applicants to include their interdependent (same-sex) partner in a visa application. This is a significant change, as it means that an interdependent partner can contribute points towards an overall assessment score. If an interdependent partner has an eligible relative in Australia, they may also be able to offer sponsorship under one of the GSM categories.

Further changes include:

• Removing bonus points for the ‘capital investment’ option;
• Awarding points for sponsorship by a relative in a designated area;
  • Removing the Assurance of Support provision from GSM (family sponsored) visas;
  • Removing the Sydney and Selected Areas Skills Shortage List (SSASSL);
• Statement of pass and pool marks for all the new GSM visas; and
• Clarification of ‘two year’ study rule for people seeking points for Australian qualifications.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship has also announced the creation of a new temporary visa for recent graduates from designated overseas educational institutions, as long as those students have skills in demand in Australia. This is intended to help address the ongoing shortage of skilled workers in Australia.

Also advantageous to students is the creation of a new temporary visa which allows overseas students who have completed 2 years study in Australia to gain skilled work experience, improve English skills or undertake a year of work training.