What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration
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- Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) from 23 March 2013
- Processing of priority group 5 applications update – 27 February 2013
- Allocation and processing of Skilled Regional Sponsored GSM visa applications – 27 February 2013
- State and territory nominated skilled visa subclasses 475, 487, 176 and 886 – 4 February 2013
- Changes to the General Skilled Migration visas from 1 January 2013 – 17 December 2012
- Washington Accord institutions included in the list of recognised institutions for Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) – 1 October 2012
- Processing of Priority Group 5 applications update – 7 September 2012
- Priority Processing Arrangements for Skilled Migration Visas – 1 July 2012
- Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List – 1 July 2012
- Changes to the Skilled Migration Pass Mark for SkillSelect Visas – 15 June 2012
- Update of the Skilled Occupation List effective from 1 July – 13 June 2012
- New Skilled Visa and Points Test Arrangements – 22 March 2012
Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) from 23 March 2013
From 23 March 2013, in response to recommendations four and eight of the Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011 (the Knight Review), new post-study work arrangements will be introduced for graduates of an Australian Bachelor Degree, Masters Degree or Doctorate. The post-study work arrangements are being introduced as a new stream of the existing Temporary Skilled Graduate (subclass 485), which will be renamed the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485).
See: Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485)
Processing of Priority Group 5 applications update – 27 February 2013
Information about the processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration applications.
See: Processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications
Allocation and processing of Skilled Regional Sponsored GSM visa applications – 27 February 2013
Information about the allocation of Skilled Regional Sponsored GSM visa applications for the 2012 -13 program year.
See: Allocation and Processing of Skilled Regional Sponsored GSM Visa Applications
State and territory nominated skilled visa subclasses 475, 487, 176 and 886 – 4 February 2013
Information about arrangements for state and territory nominated skilled visa subclasses 475, 487, 176 and 886.
See: State and territory nominated skilled visa subclasses 475, 487, 176 and 886 – 4 February 2013
Changes to the General Skilled Migration visas from 1 January 2013 – 17 December 2012
Information about the closure of most General Skilled Migration visas and available options for skilled migration after 1 January 2013.
See: Changes to the General Skilled Migration visas from 1 January 2013
Washington Accord institutions included in the list of recognised institutions for Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476) – 1 October 2012
Washington Accord institutions are now included in the list of recognised institutions for Skilled – Recognised Graduate visa (Subclass 476).
See: List of Recognised Institutions
Processing of Priority Group 5 applications update – 7 September 2012
Information about the processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration applications.
See: Processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications
Priority Processing Arrangements for Skilled Migration Visas – 1 July 2012
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, has set new priority processing arrangements for certain skilled migration visas.
See: Fact Sheet 24a – Priority Processing for Skilled Migration Visas
Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List – 1 July 2012
The Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL) a single list of occupations will replace the State/Territory Nominated (STATSOL), the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENSOL), Subclass 442 Occupational Trainee and the Subclass 457 Skilled Occupation Lists and will determine occupations that applicants can nominate under these programs from 1 July 2012.
See: Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (Schedule 1 and Schedule 2) ( 97KB PDF file)
Changes to the Skilled Migration Pass Mark for SkillSelect Visas – 15 June 2012
The department, has announced a change to the points test pass mark for skilled migrants who submit an Expression of Interest through SkillSelect.
From 1 July 2012, the points test pass mark for points tested skilled migration visas invited through SkillSelect (subclasses 189, 190 and 489) will be 60 points.
See: Change to the skilled migration pass mark
Visa subclasses 885, 886 and 487 will remain open for new applicants until 1 January 2013. The points test pass mark for these visas will remain at 65 points.
More information about SkillSelect is available.
See: SkillSelect
Update of the Skilled Occupation List effective from 1 July – 13 June 2012
Changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will come into effect on 1 July. Four occupations will be added to the list and four occupations will be removed.
See: Annual Update of Skilled Occupation List - 1 July 2012 ( 66KB PDF file)
Information about the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List will be available shortly on the department’s website.
New Skilled Visa and Points Test Arrangements – 22 March 2012
Information about new points tested skilled (General Skilled Migration) visas and points test arrangements to be introduced with SkillSelect on 1 July 2012.
See: New Skilled Visa and Points Test Arrangements