Australian Skilled Migration Program on 1 July 2012

Major changes to be introduced to the Australian Skilled Migration Program on 01 July 2012.

The Skilled Migrant Selection Register (SkillSelect) is a new Australian visa program aimed to ensure that the best and brightest skilled migrants from a pool of intending migrants are selected for visa processing. On 01 July 2012, SkillSelect will replace the existing skilled migration program and will reform the way Australia selects skilled migrants for visa processing.

‘SkillSelect gives the Australian government more control over who they let into the country but it will create significant uncertainty for intending skilled migrants’ says Declan Visafirst.com.

In particular, it will impact those interested in independent, family, state or territory sponsored and business skills migration.

So how will it work ?
SkillSelect is based on an electronic two-stage process whereby intending migrants

• Stage 1 – submit an Expression of Interest (EOI)
• Stage 2 – you must be invited to apply for a skilled migration visa by DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship)

Despite lodging an EOI, there is NO GUARANTEE that you will ever move on to stage 2 (i.e. invited to apply for a skilled migration visa). You remain on a database of interested applicants ranked by points awarded, date of application and occupation for up to 2 years.

When lodging an EOI, you must meet the points criteria, have your skills assessed and an English language test already carried out. So there will be a financial outlay without any guarantee of being invited to lodge a visa application.

It is also worth noting that quotas will be introduced to this new system to prevent the pool being dominated by a narrow range of occupations. Once the limit is reached each year, there will be no further opportunity for that occupation to apply.

People should be aware that they could remain on the system for the 2 year period without ever being invited to apply for a visa (stage two). After that if you have not been invited to apply for the visa your EOI is removed.

You can submit another EOI if the 2 year period has lapsed, you not been invited to apply for a skilled visa and subsequently have been removed from the pool. Again, you must meet the necessary visa requirement including the minimum pass mark and your occupation quota must not be full, to submit the second EOI. ‘Keep in mind that you will be two years older which may effect your points score, your IELTS will be out of date after 2 years so you need to do this again and depending on your occupation, you may need to do your skills assessment all over again- this will be a non refundable cost to the applicant’, Clune, Visafirst.com. After all this cost and work, there is still no guarantee that you will receive an invitation letter to apply for a permanent visa.

If you are looking at applying for permanent residency, you should get your application lodged to our Sydney office as soon as possible to prevent you being affected by the July 2012 changes. For further details or a free assessment call 02 8297 6173.

Those with a job offer will not be effected by the upcoming changes and we can continue to lodge a sponsorship visa for them.

In addition those applying for a second year working holiday visa will not be effectedby the changes.

VisaFirst.com provides global visa and travel support services to more than 85,000 people working and travelling in over 100 countries every year.
The United Kingdoms primary visa specialists organise working holiday visas, business visas, employer sponsored visas, skilled migration visas talent & performance visas and tourist visas. Their specialised travel support services mean customers get off to the best start possible wherever they’re going. VisaFirst.co.uk also offers a free jobs-match service for those looking for employment opportunities abroad.
Established in 2003 VisaFirst.co.uk has offices in Sydney, London, Chicago and Vancouver.

To find out more about job opportunities in Australia and related visas- Check the website www.visafirst.com