In order to apply for GSM visa you will need to meet the basic requirements and points test which are set by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC):
• you must be under 45 years of age
• have an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)
• have a competent standard of English (trade occupations may have a vocational standard of English)
• have a professional, or trade qualification recognised in Australia
• have recent work experience (12 in the last 24 months) in any occupation list on the SOL, or
• have recently completed an Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification and meet the two year study exemption
• meet the required level on the DIAC points test (where applicable).
Specific eligibility requirements apply to each General Skilled Migration visa category.
The right visa will depend on a number of factors, including your ability to meet the Department of Immigration and Citizenship's (DIAC) eligibility criteria and points test.
Points Test
Currently 120 po.
State Sponsorship GSM
The Victorian Government can sponsor eligible applications for provisional and permanent visas, making it easier for you to meet DIAC's points test and obtain your visa to live in Victoria.
To apply for Skilled Sponsored Migration to Australia it requires state government nomination and sponsorship.
Sponsored permanent residence offers applicants the opportunity to migrate to Australia on the basis of their skills and/or educational background.
Australia attempts to target people who are highly skilled and who will quickly make a contribution to the Australian economy.
There are currently eight states and territories participating in the skilled sponsored program. They are
• South Australia,
• Tasmania,
• Western Australia,
• Victoria,
• New South Wales,
• Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT).
Each state has its own 'Occupation in Demand' list which applicants must be able to suitably match their profession with.
Location: Offshore/Onshore
The location from where you are applying for your visa will also determine your visa choice - from within Australia (onshore) or from outside of Australia (offshore).
Duration
The Australian Skilled Sponsored visa entitles people to migrate to Australia to gain permanent residency status. After a four year period, providing relevant criteria have been met, Australian citizenship may be applied for.
If you would like an individual assessment please Click here
WHAT’S NEW?
Changes to General Skilled Migration (GSM):
English Language Requirement for Trade Occupations, and
Job Ready Test
English Language Requirement
What are the changes?
There are two separate changes, Vocational English and Concessional competent English eligibility requirement for GSM.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship announced on 12 May 2009 that the English language requirement for all GSM applicants who nominate a trade occupation will be increased to a minimum of 6.0 (Competent English) in each of the four components of the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test and will remove the threshold of Vocational English.
The current requirement for those GSM applicants who have nominated a trade occupation is a minimum of 5.0 (Vocational English) on each component of the IELTS test.
This change will affect offshore GSM visa subclasses (175, 176 and 475) from 1 July 2009 and onshore GSM visa subclasses (885, 886, 485 and 487) from 1 January 2010.
Lastly, for provisional GSM visa subclasses, the threshold English language standard for applicants with Concessional Competent English who are sponsored and have enrolled in an English language course will be raised from an average of 5.5 to an average of 6.0.
The change will affect applicants for the offshore Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 475) visa from 1 July 2009, and the onshore Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Subclass 487) visa from 1 January 2010.
JobReady Test
From 1st January 2010, JobReady test will come into effect.
Who will be affected?
All onshore GSM applicants other than the Skilled-Graduate (Subclass 485) or Skilled-Regional (Subclass 887) visas who apply for GSM from this date (1st January 2010) will have to pass the Job Ready Test if they nominate a trade occupation.
If you have already applied for GSM visa you will not be affected.
Is JobReady Test the same for all trade occupations?
No, the test may take slightly different forms depending on the occupation, but could be applied to any trade occupation.
Is the testing process for onshore applications the same as offshore applications?
Yes. The test may vary from occupation to occupation and from one country to another. The Government may target particular cohorts and occupations from time to time.
Why JobReady Test?
A key aim of the GSM program has traditionally been to achieve the migration of “job ready” applicants to supplement the labor market. Employers are looking for employees who are “job ready” and can hit the ground running.
Job ready migrants are more likely to find employment quickly, which leads to improved settlement outcomes for migrants.
The JobReady test will also ensure consistency of skills and competency across migrants.
More about JobReady
No cost has been determined for the JobReady test.
The expiry date for JobReady test has yet to be determined.
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