Australia News
October 2008
New Government Moves to Address Skills Shortage
With the Australian economy booming despite pessimistic outlooks for many European countries and North America, the new Labour government recently took it’s first major step towards addressing the acute skills shortage faced in Australia at present.
The Minister for Immigration & Citizenship Senator Chris Evans issued an additional 6000 visas to the skilled migration program with instructions to his department to process all the additional visas in the current 2007/08 visa year that concludes on 30 June 2008.
Senator Evans said that the unprecedented demand for skilled workers in Australia coupled with the acute shortage was driving up wages and fuelling inflation and this measure was the first of numerous actions that would seek to address this current situation.
February 13th 2008 Australia – Apology Given
The Australian government has formally apologized to the Indigenous people within the country.
Australian prime minister, Kevin Rudd, issued a national apology to a generation of Aborigines who were inappropriately removed from their families and communities as children.
"We apologize for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians," Rudd read in Australian Parliament.
"For the pain, suffering and hurt of these stolen generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry."
About 100 Aborigines, referred to as "The Stolen Generation," were in Parliament to hear Rudd speak.
The apology comes a decade after an inquiry uncovered details of child removal policies and their ongoing effects. Around that time, all states and territories in Australia had issued separate apologies.
The Australian parliament had voted unanimously to accept the apology.
New Changes to GSM Visa Program – What is Involves! As a result of the changes that have been introduced to the skilled migration program, the IELTS test is about to assume much greater importance for many individuals who are considering migrating to Australia. Under the skilled visa regime that applied to skilled visa applicants who lodged their application up to 31st August, 2007, individuals from "native English speaking countries" were able to claim 20 points towards the pass mark for points tested skilled visas without the need to provide evidence of their English language competencies. We also recommend that native English language speakers do not underestimate the IELTS test, and undertake suitable preparation in advance of their examination. Details of the components of the IELTS test and examples can be found at the following weblink: http://www.ielts-blog.com/index.php/category/1/ The most significant changes to Australia's skilled migration program in many years come into effect on 1 September 2007. The main changes include: Other important changes: The first (and for most, only) Visa Application Charge payable to the Department of Immigration for the new offshore visa categories will be A$2,060 (as per the existing offshore skilled visa pathways) The Department of Immigration has added more skilled occupations to its Migration Occupations in Demand List, allowing increasing numbers to consider migration to Australia. The additional occupations are: Architect Confused – not sure if you can meet the new requirements? Canada News Application Timeframes Current Application Processing Times for NEW Skilled Applications: 42-48 Months Current Application Processing Times for NEW Business Category Applications: 42-48 Months The Canadian High Commission are currently processing applications from February 2006. . This is indicative only and some applicants before this timeframe could still be waiting for assessment of their applications. The Commission are contacting applicants with letters to request updated information for their application to be assessed within 3-5 months. Applicants from July & August 2005 should now have received this communication. New Look Website for CIC – check out their new website which contacts more significant links to vital information for criteria, policy changes, settlement in Canada and much more: www.cic.gc.ca. On May 24 2007 The first phase of the Foreign Credentials Referral Office was launched by the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration. This office is designed to help internationally trained individuals who plan to work in Canada get their credentials assessed and recognized more quickly. $32.2 million has been set aside for the first five years of the FCRO’s operation. On May 11, 2007 — The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the Premier of Alberta and Alberta Minister of Employment, Immigration and Industry signed a new Agreement for Canada-Alberta Cooperation on Immigration. Alberta represents 10 per cent of Canada’s population, Alberta’s goal is to receive at least 10 per cent of immigrants to Canada. The new agreement means: On February 23 2007 Citizenship & Immigration announced additional improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker program. These improvements address challenges that Canadian employers face in filling labour shortages and so help Canada stay competitive and contribute to a strong economy. The changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program aim to make it faster and easier for Canadian employers to meet their labour force needs, The changes will reduce the time that employers have to wait to get the workers they need and extending the time that workers can stay in Canada provides more security and stability to the workers and to the employers”. The Program allows employers to hire temporary foreign workers when there are no Canadian citizens or permanent residents available for the positions. Previously, temporary foreign workers with less formal training would have to leave Canada after twelve months, for four months, and then re-apply to come back. With these changes, they can stay for up to twenty-four months without having to request an extension. Two other measures are also being introduced which will save employers time. Employers will be able to apply online to HRSDC for a labour market opinion (LMO), CIC and HRSDC will process work permits and LMO’s concurrently. See more on the above News Releases via the www.cic.gc.ca website.
Note - "native English speaking countries" are passport holders from the UK, Canada, New Zealand, the USA, and the Republic of Ireland.
The English language competency threshold has changed for skilled visa applications that are lodged from the 1st of September, 2007 as follows:
1. All applicants must demonstrate "competent English" - which means band scores of at least 6.0 in all four components of an IELTS test.
2. An exception is made for applicants who nominate a trade occupation, or who have applied for a Skilled - Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa and have paid a fee to attend English language tuition.
3. For trade skills applicants the threshold is "vocational English", which represents a band score of 5.0 in all aspects of an IELTS test.
4. Native English speakers (as described above) will be deemed to have competent English.
5. Applicants who meet the English language thresholds described above will be awarded 15 points towards the points test for their skilled visa application.
6. Applicants who can demonstrate proficient English will be awarded 25 points. Proficient English is demonstrated by achieving a score of at least 7.0 in all 4 elements of an IELTS test.
English Proficiency
The above means that skilled migrants from native English speaking countries will now need to attend an IELTS test if they want to be awarded the maximum points on offer for English language competency.
IELTS tests can be attended at many locations in the world - in the UK there are presently some 33 centres (typically at universities and colleges) offering examinations, as identified here.
IELTS tests carried out in the 24 months prior to the lodgement of the skilled visa application will be acceptable, and therefore individuals who know their skilled visa strategy and who require 25 points for English language competency to attain the points pass mark may want to arrange the IELTS test before they submit their visa application.
- Changes to the English language thresholds, and assumptions as to English competencies for "native English speakers"
- Same sex partners are now able to be included as a dependent on general skilled visa applications
- The Sydney and Surrounding Areas Skilled Occupations List (known as the SSASSL, which applied in lieu of the Skilled Occupations List for former subclass number 138, Skilled - Australian Sponsored) ceases to have an application for skilled family sponsored visa applications
- Increased points for skilled Australian work experience
- Changes to the form used for skilled visa applications (form 1276 is the replacement for form 47SK)
The Skilled Migration Stream is intended to allow migrants that have skills that will benefit Australia and contribute to its economy to move to Australia. Its importance is highly regarded by the Federal Government, and for the year to 30 June 2008 it is estimated that 102,500 visas will be issued to applicants under the Skilled Visa Program.
The most commonly encountered skilled visa subclass are likely to be as follows:
Skilled – Independent (subclass number 175)
Applicants for a subclass number 175 Skilled -Independent Visa must have a skill in a "skilled occupation", must be under 45 years old at the time that their application is lodged, must have at least competent English (or vocational English if the applicant has nominated a trade occupation), and must pass a points test.
Applicants must nominate a skilled occupation, obtain a skills assessment from the relevant competent authority, and have worked in a skilled occupation (need not be the same one as that nominated) as at the date the visa application is lodged for at least 12 out of the last 24 months, or have studied for at least 2 years in Australia in the last 6 months.
The points pass mark for the 175 visa is 120.
This visa subclass is usually the first one to be considered by applicants who are presently residing outside Australia.
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass number 176)
This subclass is similar to the subclass number 175, in that applicants must have a skill in a "skilled occupation", must be under 45 years old at the time that their application is lodged, must have at least competent English (or vocational English if the applicant has nominated a trade occupation), and must pass a points test.
Applicants must nominate a skilled occupation, obtain a skills assessment from the relevant competent authority, and have worked in a skilled occupation (need not be the same one as that nominated) as at the date the visa application is lodged for at least 12 out of the last 24 months, or have studied for at least 2 years in Australia in the last 6 months.
Applicants for this visa must be:
- sponsored by an eligible Australian relative, or
- nominated by a State or Territory Government in Australia
The points pass mark for the 176 visa is 100.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (offshore applicants – subclass number 475)
The 475 visa is a provisional visa with a validity of 3 years, and when granted requires visaholders to live, study, and work in a regional area of Australia (or a “designated area” if the visaholder is sponsored by a family relative).
Applicants must have a skill in a "skilled occupation", must be under 45 years old at the time that their application is lodged, must have at least competent English (or vocational English if the applicant has nominated a trade occupation), and must pass a points test. Applicants must nominate a skilled occupation, obtain a skills assessment from the relevant competent authority, and have worked in a skilled occupation (need not be the same one as that nominated) as at the date the visa application is lodged for at least 12 out of the last 24 months, or have studied for at least 2 years in Australia in the last 6 months.
Applicants for this visa must be:
- sponsored by an eligible Australian relative who is living in a “designated area” of Australia, or
- nominated by a State or Territory Government in Australia
The points pass mark for the 475 visa is 100.
Once subclass 475 visaholders have resided in a specified regional area for at least 2 years they would usually seek permanent residency via a subclass number 887 visa.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (onshore applicants – subclass number 887)
The 887 visa is the permanent residency visa pathway for the following provisional visaholders:
- Subclass number 495, Skilled - Independent Regional (Provisional)
- Subclass number 496, Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (Provisional)
- Subclass number 475, Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional)
Applicants for a subclass number 887 visa must have lived in a regional area of Australia for at least 2 years, and have worked full time in a regional area of Australia while holding one of the above visas for at least 12 months.
There is no points test for this visa category.
- Same sex partners will be able to be included as a dependent on general skilled visa applications from the 1st of September, 2007
- The Sydney and Surrounding Areas Skilled Occupations List (known as the SSASSL, which applies in lieu of the Skilled Occupations List for Skilled - Australian Sponsored visa applicants, subclass number 138) will cease to have an application for skilled visa applications lodged on or after 1st September, 2007
- Existing Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) visaholders - subclass number 495 - can apply straightaway for an offshore general skilled migration visa from the 1st of September, 2007. This change might be of particular interest to those with occupations that are added to the MODL, eg Painters and Decorators, after their SIR visa has been submitted
- The Assurance of Support requirement ceases to exist for "old version" general skilled visas - such as Skilled Australian Sponsored visa applications, subclass number 138 - that have not been assessed by a Department of Immigration case officer by 31st December, 2007
Computing Professional specialising in Sybase SQL, ASCO Code 2231-79
External Auditor
Quantity surveyor
Aircraft maintenance engineer (Avionics)
Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
Locksmith
Optical Mechanic
Painter & Decorator
Furniture Finisher
Then call Access Migration: 0845 644 5607 to find our more. Government launches first phase of Foreign Credentials Referral Office
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Canada Makes Improvements to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program
