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Skills required for skilled migration

The Australian - 16 May 2002

Dear Sir

Dr Daniel Emlyn-Jones (Letters, May 13 2002) raised issues about the level of skills required for skilled migration and the impact of the passmark increase on potential skilled applicants.

Applicants for the points tested skilled categories are required to have an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL). All occupations on the SOL were assessed to determine the number of points they would be allocated under the points test.

These numbers were derived from consultations between DIMIA, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations and the National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (Department of Education, Science and Training).

Skill is considered to be the primary attribute in the points test, hence is scored higher than other attributes such as age and English language ability.

The points for occupations are allocated on the following basis:

  • 40 points are available for generalist occupations that require diploma or advanced diploma-level qualifications.

  • 50 points are allocated for generalist occupations which require degree-level qualifications but which do not necessarily require occupation specific training.

  • 60 points are available for occupations that require degree- or trade certificate level qualifications where entry to the occupation requires training in a body of knowledge specific to the occupation and which are generally regulated or self-regulated.

In respect of the recent passmark increase, this is the first time the new passmark has applied only to applications lodged after the date of the increase.

This is a more transparent arrangement than the previous one that increased the passmark after an applicant had lodged their application.

Applicants who are unable to meet the new passmark have a range of other migration options available to them, such as the Skill Matching Visa.

Applying for this visa enables skill migrants to be nominated for migration by an employer or State/Territory Government even if they are unable to meet the passmark.

Stewart Foster
Director, Public Affairs