Australia Immigration Consultants - Australia news from migration experts

LATEST IMMIGRATION NEWS - AUSTRALIA
(as published in our newsletters in 2007 and 2008)

AUSTRALIA – NEW PROCESSING CENTRE

July 2008 - The Australian government have now opened a new processing centre to handle applications for residence visas through the General Skilled Migration programme.

The new centre has been opened in Brisbane. The Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre (BSPC) will not be fully operational for a few more months but it is hoped that it will help reduce the current backlog of applications at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (ASPC).

Australia has announced an increase in the number of migrants it wishes to accept under their General Skilled Migration programme. The opening of this new centre will go some way to assisting this target to be reached.

Furthermore, new visa fees for all visa categories have now been announced by the Australian government. Please contact us to make sure you are paying the correct fee.

AUSTRALIA – NEW OCCUPATIONS ON HIGH DEMAND LIST

June 2008 - The Australian government have now added some more occupations on to the Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL). Occupations on this list attract bonus points, making it easier to reach the required Pass Mark.

The following are the new occupations on the list:

Engineering Manager
Computing Professional – spec. in Data Warehousing
Computing Professional – spec. in Linux
Computing Professional – spec. in .Net technologies
Computing Professional – spec. in Solaris
Computing Professional – spec. in Unix
Electronics Engineer
Optometrist
Dental Technican
Binder and Finisher
Landscape Gardener
Tree Surgeon

AUSTRALIA - CANBERRA, ACT

February 2008 - We will shortly be meeting with representatives of the government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) who are very keen to attract migrants to their city of Canberra.

The ACT government will be looking at nominating applicants for Australian residency and sourcing employment for them. If you work in any of the occupations listed below, then we would be very interested in receiving your CV. We can then present your details to the ACT officials with a view to employment and / or nomination for residency.

Automotive Electrician
Baker
Bricklayer
Binder and Finisher
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Joiner
Communications Linesperson
Cook
Drainer
Electrician
Electronic Equipment Tradesperson
Plasterer
Fitter
Furniture Upholsterer
Gasfitter
Hairdresser
Motor Mechanic
Air-conditioning Mechanic
Plumber
Panel Beater
Motor Mechanic
Printing Machinist
Roof Slater and Tiller
Stonemason
Vehicle Body Maker
Vehicle Painter
Tiler
Welder
Chef
Building Inspector
Building Associate
Estimator
Architectural Associate
Accountant
Child Care Co-ordinator
Computing Professional (CISSP, e-commerce, Network security, SAP, SIEBEL, DB2,
Oracle, Satellite Design, PK1)
Dentist
Civil Engineer
Electrical Engineer
Electronics Engineer
Environmental Health Officer
Nurse
Midwife
Occupational Therapist
Pharmacist
Podiatrist
Physiotherapist
Quantity Surveyor
Radiographer
Social Worker
Urban and Regional Planner

AUSTRALIA - SKILLED MIGRATION

December 2007 - The Australian Department of Immigration has advised applicants for Skilled Migration, who applied before September 1st 2007, that the 5 bonus points available by lodging a capital investment of A$100,000 has now been removed.

All the State government organisations that accepted the capital investments of A$100,000 from skilled migrants have announced their withdrawal from the program. This follows recent newspaper reports alleging a "scam" involving unauthorised loans to some hundreds of applicants.

Of course, many applications which have been in process for lengthy periods will not be granted the bonus points because they cannot now find a State government that is prepared to accept the investment.

If you submitted an immigration application before September 1st and you were relying on these 5 points for capital investment, then please contact us so that we discuss alternative options to assist you.

AUSTRALIA – CANBERRA, ACT

November 2007 - We recently met with government officials from Canberra, the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), who were very keen to tell prospective migrants about what Canberra has to offer;

- A booming economy with an unemployment rate of just 2.8%

- Workers in Canberra enjoy the highest average income in Australia.

- Cost of living and house prices are all significantly lower in Canberra.

- Excellent schools and a first class health service.

So where is it? Canberra is in the ACT, and is surrounded by New South Wales. It is roughly a 3 hour drive from Sydney. Regular flights connect Canberra with Sydney, Melbourne and also with many international destinations. Just two hours away to the south are the ski fields of Australia's highest mountain range, and a similar distance to the east is the unspoiled Pacific Coast with its beautiful beaches.

The good news is that migrants are needed in many sectors and the ACT government will nominate those who work in a range of occupations such as I.T. Professionals, Hairdressers, Chefs, Nurses and Building Associates. They are hoping to dramatically increase the list of occupations for nomination soon, once Federal approval is obtained.

If you think Canberra might be the place for you, then complete the Online Assessment form on our website.

We can if necessary put you in contact with key government officials who can offer advice on moving to Canberra.

AUSTRALIA – JOB OPPORTUNITIES

November 2007 - We are pleased to announce that we have teamed up with a major recruiter in Sydney, who can assist with placing individuals in jobs in all industry sectors and locations throughout Australia.

This service will be of strong interest to our clients who have secured their Australian residence visas or are still in the application stage. It may also be of interest to applicants looking for an employer to sponsor them for a work visa.

All you need to do is to email us a detailed CV with all your qualifications and experience. Please also mention your preferred location(s) in Australia. We will then pass on to our Sydney recruiters, who will contact you directly.

AUSTRALIA – NEW APPLICATION PROCESS FOR SOME TRADES APPLICATIONS

October 2007- We now have much more information on the new process affecting applications for Trades Assessment for many tradespersons which was introduced on September 1st. The new process affects applicants from the UK, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines who work in certain trades (General Electrician, General PlumberRefrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Motor Mechanic, Bricklayer Carpenter and Joiner, Electrical Powerline Tradesperson, Cable Jointer)

The new process involves a paperwork-based assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and work experience. This is similar to the usual assessment process operated by TRA. However the key difference is that after passing the paperwork-based assessment, the applicant will then need to book a practical assessment.

At the moment, practical assessments are available every second month for UK applicants in London and Glasgow. We have been informed that the practical assessment will take 1 day to complete. No other UK venues have been scheduled so some applicants will need to undertake a lengthy journey and overnight stay to London or Glasgow.

The practical assessment will involve a technical interview and a series of ‘challenge tests’ or simulated activities that assess a number of the key skills required for the occupation. Once the practical assessment is passed, then you will receive an assessment letter from Vetassess, which will allow you to apply for your residence visa.

If you work in any of these trades and wish to migrate to Australia, then please contact us so that we can fully check your eligibility against the new criteria.

AUSTRALIA - UPDATE ON THE NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE CHANGES

August 2007 - In our previous newsletters we announced some significant changes in relation to the selection criteria for Skilled Migrants to Australia. These changes have now taken place and one of the most important changes is in relation to the points for English language.

This means that maximum English language points can only be awarded to those applicants who sit an English language test (IELTS).

Passports holders from English speaking countries such as the UK, Ireland, Canada etc… will now only be automatically awarded 15 points. To score the maximum points of 25, a score of 7 will be needed in the IELTS test.

We did hope that the Australian government would make an exception for applicants born and educated in an English speaking country, but this has not happened. It is therefore vital that every applicant has their points eligibility full reviewed to see if their application will require the additional English language points and therefore require the test to be undertaken.

AUSTRALIA - NEW ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

August 2007 - We are still awaiting clarification from the Australian government on how the English language requirements from September 1st will be assessed.

Some recent reports in the UK media have criticised the Australian government for the new system, which requires English-speaking applicants to “prove that they can speak English”!

Under the new system, the points awarded for English language ability will be 15 or 25 points, rather than the current breakdown of 15 and 20 points.

Applicants who are passport holders from an English speaking country should automatically be granted 15 points. However the main point of controversy is that under the new system to score 25 points, applicants will need to sit an English language test, even if born and educated in an English speaking country.

It still remains to be seen if this will be the case and many groups are asking the Australian government to waive the English language test for those who can show that English is their native language.

Once we have any more news on how this will be implemented, we’ll update you.

AUSTRALIA - MORE DETAILS ON SEPTEMBER 1ST CHANGES FOR TRADES APPLICATIONS

August 2007 - We now have some indication of the new process affecting applications for Trades Assessment for many tradespersons from September 1st. From that date, applicants from the UK, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines who work in the list of trades below, will need to undertake a much more detailed Trades Assessment before applying for Australian residency.

The new process will be overseen by an Australian organisation named VETASSESS and will involve 2 main stages. The first will be a paperwork-based assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and work experience. The applicant will need to be able to show competency in all main duties of the occupation. If the applicant successfully passes this stage, he / she will be set a date for a practical assessment. This will examine the applicant’s practical skills in the trade and also include a detailed technical interview.

Overall the application process will take longer and the proposed application fees are to increase. However the new process is expected to make it easier and quicker for applicants to register in their occupation when they arrive in Australia.

The full list of Trades subject to the new assessment process include:
- General Electrician
- General Plumber
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Motor Mechanic
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Electrical Powerline Tradesperson
- Cable Jointer

Please note that this does not affect applicants who have already passed a Trades Assessment.

If you work in any of these trades and wish to migrate to Australia, then please contact us so that we can fully check your eligibility against the new criteria.

AUSTRALIA - NEW TRADES APPLICATION PROCEDURES FOR ELECTRICIANS, PLUMBERS, BRICKLAYERS, CARPENTERS, MECHANICS, ETC..

July 2007 - New details have been announced of significant changes affecting applicationsfor Trades Assessment for many tradespersons from September 1st. From that date, applicants from the UK, India, Sri Lanka, South Africa and the Philippines who work in the list of trades below, will need to undertake a much more detailed Trades Assessment before applying for Australian residency.

This will include a detailed technical interview and practical assessment. The application process is likely to take longer and will be much more in-depth. At the moment the Trades Assessment process is relatively quick and no practical assessment is required.

Our advice to all our clients is that if you work in any of these Trades and you are thinking of emigrating to Australia, then you need to contact us promptly.

It is much more preferable to try to submit your application now, before the much more onerous and expensive requirements from September 1st are introduced.

The full list of Trades subject to the new assessment process include:
- General Electrician
- General Plumber
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
- Motor Mechanic
- Bricklayer
- Carpenter and Joiner
- Electrical Powerline Tradesperson
- Cable Jointer

For further information on migration to Australia, please call us on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380 or complete an Online Assessment form on our website www.commonwealthimmigration.com.

AUSTRALIA - NEW GOVERNMENT APPLICATION FEES

July 2007 - All clients need to be aware that new government application fees apply for all Australian visa applications, effective from July 1st.

Please contact us to ensure you are paying the correct government fee.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA - CALLING ALL NURSES AND MIDWIVES !

July 2007 - We met last week with representatives of the Western Australia Department of Health.

At the moment, Western Australia is experiencing an acute shortage of Registered Nurses, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Midwives. This shortage is expected to continue for many years, in part due to an ageing workforce but largely due to the growing provision and investment in healthcare throughout Western Australia.

The good news for overseas Nurses is that the WA government are looking to sponsor such professionals for permanent residency. Furthermore, newly qualified Nurses and Nurses over 45 years will also be eligible for sponsorship (which is a change from the General Skilled Migration criteria).

So, if you are a qualified Nurse or Midwife, or are soon to qualify, then please send us your CV or complete the Online Assessment form on our website. We can then present your details to the WA Department of Health with a view to securing employment and permanent residence visas for you and your family.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
– OPPORTUNITIES FOR NURSES AND MIDWIVES

June 2007 - We are pleased to announce that we will shortly be meeting with representatives of the Western Australia Department of Health.

Western Australia is currently experiencing an acute shortage of Registered Nurses, Registered Mental Health Nurses and Midwives. This shortage is current throughout Western Australia including Perth and Regional Areas.

Therefore the WA government are looking to sponsor such professionals for permanent residency. Overseas Nurses and Midwives need to have their qualifications verified by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Council before securing WA sponsoring.

So, if you are a qualified Nurse or Midwife, or are soon to qualify, then please send us your CV or complete an Online Assessment form on our website. We can then present your details to the WA Department of Health with a view to securing employment and permanent residence visas for you and your family.

AUSTRALIA
– CHANGES IN TRADES ASSESSMENT

May 2007 - Trades Recognition Australian (TRA) are the Australian government body that assesses the trade skills of overseas workers looking to migrate to Australia. TRA have recently announced that in the future they envisage that certain tradespersons from certain countries will be assessed in their home countries by a new registered training organisation.

The relevant trades are General Electrician, General Plumber, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Motor Mechanic, Carpenter and Joiner, Electrical Powerline Tradesperson, Cable Jointer.

The relevant countries are; the UK, India, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

The new arrangements will mean that potential migrants in the above countries and trades will undertake competency-based assessments in their home countries by an approved Australian training organisation. This assessment would then be sufficient for migration.

Further details are expected in the next 2-3 months.

Many of you will also be aware that in our last newsletter we announced some significant changes in relation to the selection criteria for Skilled Migrants to Australia. These changes will apply to all applications that will be submitted after September 1st 2007.

If you qualify on the current system, then it is important to ensure you move ahead with submitting your application before these changes take effect on September 1st.

We will of course bring you full details on the new immigration changes once these are announced.

For further information on migration to Australia, please call us on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380 or complete an Online Assessment form on our website www.commonwealthimmigration.com.

AUSTRALIA
– SIGNIFICANT CHANGES JUST ANNOUNCED

April 2007 - The Australian Department of Immigration has just announced some significant changes in relation to its selection criteria for Skilled Migrants.

These changes will apply to all applications that will be submitted after September 1st 2007. The main changes include;

The total points available for English language ability is to increase from 20 to 25. However, in order to secure these new points, all applicants will need to undertake an English language test. This will apply to ALL APPLICANTS – even those from an English speaking country. At present, applicants from the UK, USA, Canada, New Zealand and Ireland are automatically awarded 20 points. This will change from September 1st. Applicants from these countries will only be awarded 15 points, if they choose not to undertake the English language test

The requirement of recent work experience is also to be made standard across all visa classes. Applicants will be required to demonstrate skilled work experience for at least 12 months in the 2 years immediately preceding the lodgement of the visa application.

In order to score 15 points for working in an occupation on the Migration Occupations Demand List (MODL), an applicant must have worked in that occupation (or a closely related occupation) for a total of 12 months in the 4 years immediately preceding the submission of the visa application.

These are important changes and will impact on the eligibility of many potential applicants. The extra points for English language ability will benefit many applicants but obviously the requirement to undertake an English language test will not be very welcome for a native English language speaker.

The new Pass Mark for these visa classes has not been announced. We will of course let you know once this decision is made.

If you qualify on the current system, then it is important to ensure you move ahead with submitting your application before these changes take effect on September 1st. At the very least, it will remove the need to undertake an English language test.

Also, as we do not know what the new Pass Mark will be, our advice to applicants is – if you qualify now, then you should be applying now. Your visa for Australia is valid for up to 5 years before you have to settle there permanently.

AUSTRALIA
– RECORD LEVELS OF MIGRATION

March 2007 - A recent report from the Australian Department of Immigration has confirmed that the numbers of skilled migrants entering Australia is at an all-time high.

In the Migration Programme from 2005-2006, over 97,000 migrants entered Australia through the Skilled stream.

Also the number of applicants securing residency through nomination by a State government has increased by 47 % from the previous year. This State nomination route is proving increasingly popular, as it allows particular States to pinpoint exactly the types of skills they require.

In May, the Minister for Immigration is likely to announce another increase in the number of places in the Skilled stream.

And with so many occupations now receiving bonus points through the Migration Occupation Demand List (MODL), there may never be a better time than now to apply for Australian residency.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA
- STATE NOMINATION

January 2007 - The government of Western Australia are still desperately looking to attract many Tradespersons to their State. Almost all the major trades are included on the W.A. Priority Skills List.

State sponsorship through the State Migration Centre then allows an applicant to be fast-tracked for residency with the Department of Immigration. This can reduce the overall processing time to secure residency.

This option isn’t for everyone but if you are committed to settling in Western Australia and/or your points don’t meet the level for the Skilled Independent visa, then this is a great opportunity.

Western Australia is currently experiencing unprecedented sustained economic growth. Driven largely by an expanding minerals and petroleum sector, this is creating many exciting opportunities across the State.

We hope that these news have been informative for you. However, remember everyone's circumstances are different so if you or a friend or family member want to check your eligibility to emigrate then either

1) complete the Online Assessment Form on our website or
2) give us a call on (+44) (0) 20 8365 3380

We would love to hear from you!

Regards
Tim McMahon
Commonwealth Immigration
www.commonwealthimmigration.com