Making sense of the changes to GSM program

The Critical Skills List is to be revoked and replaced with a new Skilled Occupations List which will become effective from the middle of 2010. This NEW SOL will be available for review in the coming weeks (by the 30 April 2010) with priority processing arrangements for applications with nominated occupations on the current CSL continuing until they are reviewed in Mid 2010.

 

Over the coming months we also expect to see a revised points test. At this stage it is uncertain what these changes will be. The revised test could possibly include some of the following changes that the Minister of Immigration recently mentioned. Changes such as:

 

·         should some occupations warrant more points than others?

·         are the points for age properly calibrated?

·         should points be awarded for qualifications acquired overseas from prestigious universities?

·         are sufficient points awarded for experience?

·         should more points be awarded for excellence in English?

 

As mentioned the NEW Skilled Occupations List (SOL) is to be reviewed by Skills Australia, supposedly to “… deliver a General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program more focused on high-value skills across the professions and trades.”

So what does this mean for you? – If you have an occupation on the present SOL you can still apply for a general skilled visa, so long as the application is lodged before the NEW SOL comes into effect in "mid-2010" We expect this to be 1 July 2010. Any skilled migration application that is lodged prior to the introduction of the new Skilled Occupation List in mid-2010 will be assessed with reference to requirements current at the time the application is lodged with the Department of Immigration.

IMPORTANT!!! This gives you another 6 weeks to get things moving, after 30 June 2010 you will be subject to the NEW SOL and NEW Points test. The detail of which we do not know but will update you once available. This may not be good news for all.

We have always been strong proponents of the approach that if you qualify for a visa and are intending to migrate to Australia do so while a visa pathway exists.

The current government’s attitude to the migration program is one of favouring Employer and State Nominated pathways, so in time we do not foresee visa requirements relaxing for skilled migration.

 

We therefore recommend that those who wish to lodge a general skilled visa should factor into their considerations the likelihood that from the middle of 2010 the barriers will be higher than they are presently - possibly meaning that they will not be able to apply once the NEW SOL is introduced.

Do not delay starting your General Skilled Visa application. Procrastination may cost you in the long run! Please contact us if you are in doubt.