Australia

Skilled Migration Visa

Australian Migration – The Demand Driven and Systematic Approach

Australian migration system is considered as most demand driven and applicants friendly. Each year Australia approves more migration visas than any other similar countries. Even the number of occupation categories is considerably high that Australia is currently permitting. Due to its rapid economic growth and lowest density of population, Australia is a perfect migration destination for professionals who really care for their career and family.

What Are the Basic Requirements for Skilled Migration?

Professionals should have a required education and multiple years of successful professional experience for skilled migration. The current skilled immigration requirement for Australia is:

• Age should be below 50 years
• At least Bachelor / Master’s degree completed
• Should have experience on SOL/CSOL listed occupation
• Should achieve at least 60 points according to DIBP specification
• Should have good command on English (Min. IELTS score 6.0 should be provided later)
• Click here for Online Assessment

Some SOL and State Sponsored Occupations that are in demand

All Computing Professionals, Training & Development Professional, Project Builder, All Engineering Professionals, Community Worker, Urban & Regional Planner, All Environmental Professionals, Social Worker, Research and Development Manager, All Agricultural Professionals, Financial Investment Adviser, Production Manager, Architect, Financial Institution Branch Manager,      ICT Business Development Manager, Life Scientist, Geologist, University Lecturer, Chemist, Healthcare Professionals, Metallurgist, Human Resource Professional, Construction Project Manager, Hotel or Motel Manager, Conference and Event Organizer, Program or Project Administrator, Call or Contact Centre Manager, Occupational Health and Safety Adviser, Laboratory Manager, Veterinary Doctor, Industrial Pharmacist and many more.

Skilled Migration to Australia – A Complete Guideline

1. Skilled Migration Criteria
2. Skill Select Expression of Interest (EOI) System
3. How Skill Select applies to Skilled Points Tested Visas
4. Processing of EOIs – Independent and Family Sponsored Applicants
5. Processing of EOIs – State Nominated Applicants
6. Time Limit to Apply after being Invited
7. Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
8. Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)
9. English Language Requirement for General Skilled Migration
10. Australian Skilled Migration – An Online Eligibility Assessment

1. Skilled Migration Criteria

Applicants for skilled migration need to meet strict threshold criteria. These criteria include:

Age

You must be aged between 18 and 49 at the time of invitation.

English Language Ability

» Non-Native English Speakers will have to take English language test (in most cases, the IELTS). Natives might be exempted from taking IELTS but they are prescribed to take it for claiming more points. The usual or threshold requirement for IELTS is 6.0 that is a qualifying score for most of the occupations.

Skills Assessment

For skill verification, all applicants will have to undergo skills assessment from the relevant assessment authority. A number of skill assessment bodies are available for varying skills having different verification requirements. In most cases, the skills assessment will be based on the applicant’s qualifications and work experience, though in some cases English language ability and formal examinations are required.

Skill Select

From 1 July 2012, most applicants will need to go through the Skill Select system – this involves of making an Expression of Interest and receiving an invitation from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to apply which usually requires expert guidelines.

2. Skill Select Expression of Interest (EOI) System

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection introduced the Skill Select System on 1 July 2012. Applicants for a number of visa subclasses needs to go through an Expression of Interest (EOI) prior lodging their final applications.

The following types of application can be lodged through Skill Select:

• Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visas
• Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 Visas
• Skilled Regional (Provisional) Subclass 489 Visas

3. How Skill Select applies to Skilled Points Tested Visas

To lodge an EOI, you must have completed your skills assessment and your English language test (usually IELTS). You also may wish to obtain a nomination from a state or territory government prior to lodging an EOI as this will improve your chances of getting an invitation.

4. Processing of EOIs – Independent and Family Sponsored Applicants

For Independent and Family Sponsored Applicants, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection regularly reviews the EOIs which have been lodged. They issue the eligible candidates with an invitation to make an application for skilled points tested migration.

5. Processing of EOIs – State Nominated Applicants

If you are looking at being nominated by a state or territory government, you will need to lodge an EOI. Once the state or territory government completes your nomination, you would usually receive an invitation from Skill Select. There are two things to bear in mind though:

• You must have a passing score to receive an invitation (currently 60 points for Skilled Points Tested applicants)
• You will not receive an invitation if the occupational ceiling for your occupation has been reached

6. Time Limit to Apply after being invited

Once you receive an invitation, you will need to make your visa application within 60 days. There is no assurance that you will be re-invited if you fail to file your visa application. At best you can be invited twice before the EOI is removed from the system. Feel free to contact us if you would like a full assessment of your situation, or if you would like our assistance in making your visa application.

7. Skilled Occupation List (SOL)

The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) is a list of skilled occupations that deliver high value skills needed by the Australian economy. The SOL only applies to independent, which is non-State/Territory government nominated skilled migration. It aims to meet medium to long-term skills needs of high value occupations, rather than immediate short term shortages. This means your occupation must be on the SOL if you are applying for points based skilled migration independently.

Skilled Occupation List – Australia

The most common occupations that are currently under Schedule 1 – Skilled Occupation List (SOL) are listed in the column named Occupations

8. Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL)

According to DIBP, the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) is relevant for Points based skilled migration applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency under a State Migration Plan. The CSOL only applies to non-independent, which is State/Territory government nominated skilled migration.

If you have an occupation on the CSOL, you may be eligible for State and Territory nomination or family sponsorship. States and Territory governments, have access to a wider range of occupations on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL).

Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) – Australia:

9. English Language Requirement for General Skilled Migration

If you are applying for Skilled Migration, you will need to prove your English language ability. The required level of English depends on the visa subclass you are applying for and there are 3 different levels of English which may be relevant:

• Superior English
• Proficient English
• Competent English

Timing of English

This means that you would need to provide evidence of English testing at the time of application, however, some skills assessing authorities require IELTS score result during assessment. As it can take some time to obtain a booking for a test and to receive the results, you may wish to plan to take the English test well ahead of time. Tests conducted up to 3 years prior to lodgment of a skilled visa application will be accepted by DIBP.

Acceptable English Tests

The IELTS test is the most common way of evidencing English language ability. Either the Academic or General Training versions of the test are acceptable to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, but some skills assessing authorities require applicants to sit the Academic version. You will need to obtain a minimum score in each band of the IELTS (Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking) in a single sitting. The threshold requirement is 6.0 yet it might vary according to the nominated occupation’s requirement against the state. One can take IELTS in either General Training or Academic module once General IELTS is the requirement but when Academic IELTS is the requirement one will have to take Academic IELTS.

The Occupational English Test (OET) is also accepted as evidence of proficient and superior levels of English. The OET is only appropriate for medical and allied health professionals. It is likely that other tests will be added to the list of acceptable tests in the future.

Business Migration

Business (Business Innovation and Investment) Migration

Business migration is an immense opportunity for many business personnel. As per the recent change, the migration process brings more flexibility and it is also considered as applicant friendly procedure. For this category there is no requirement for any specific academic degree or English language ability.

Business Migration – Basic Requirements

• Having substantial business experience
• Having min. 500,000 AUD yearly business turnover
• Having min. 800,000 AUD of total asset must fulfill the basic point requirement set by DIBP

Precaution:

Buying property in Australia does not guarantee or fulfill requirement to migrate to Australia.