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NEW SKILL SUBCLASSES By Lance Fee,Director Live Downunder UK FROM September 1 of this year, there will be a new category of visa for those wishing to migrate to Australia under the skilled migration stream. The existing visa subclasses will cease and be replaced by a number of new subclasses, with significant changes to the criteria and the number of points that will be allocated. The reasoning behind many of the changes is not clear, but the main thrust appears to be to improve on the English language skills for main applicants under this category. It will make it more difficult for those from non English speaking backgrounds. The most interesting aspect of all the changes, is that, in order to gain maximum points for English, even those who are native English language applicants, will be required to take a language test and obtain at least seven points across the four areas of speaking, listening, writing and reading. The other major change is to remove the existing 15 points that can be allocated where an Australian family is prepared to sponsor. Under the existing programme, if an applicant has a blood relative living in Australia, apart from some restrictions applying in Sydney, they could claim 15 points (subclass 138). The new visa in this category (subclass 176) will have a reduced pass-mark of 100, down from 110, but applicants will be five points short of the present amount they can score with family sponsorship. Under the bonus points area for the present categories an applicant can claim an extra five points, if they are able to make an investment of A$100,000 into an Australian Government bond for 12 months. This option will no longer be available after September. The new pass-marks that the Minister has approved will be set at 120 for the Skilled Independent, both onshore and offshore, and all sponsored categories 100 points. At the same time, the pool-mark for all categories will rise from 70 to 100 with the exception of the family sponsored visa, which will be 80 points and the onshore skilled independent at 120 points. There will also be a standardisation for work experience being 12 out of the last 24 months, and more importantly, if claiming points for an occupation in demand (MODL) an applicant must have worked in that occupation, or a closely related one, for at least 12 months in the four years leading up to the application. Some of the changes that will be of benefit to applicants after this date will be removal of the SSASSL (Sydney and Selected Areas Skilled Sponsored List) allowing sponsorship by relatives in Sydney. Removal of the Assurance of Support requirement for sponsors in Australia, and the ability for same sex partners to be included as dependents on all General Skilled Migration applications. These are not all the changes which are being rolled out to Australian migration agents by the Department over the next few months. But I would suggest that if you currently qualify under the existing criteria that you apply sooner rather than later. Do not forget that the skills assessment process must be undertaken before you can lodge your visa application. This can take up to six weeks or longer in some cases. |
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