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Migration to Australia, my newsletters and publicationsI started this in November 2003 and will gradually add to it, as time allows. Note that these articles may go out of date in some details, so don't rely on the information in them. They are for background reading only. -- Mary Heath State Nominated Skilled Migration to Australia, July 201026 July 2010Here is an update to the situation with the individual States and the Territory that nominate migrants. States assess the demand in their regions for particular skills and also how easily people will settle in. Gaining a State nomination can gain points for an application low in points, or in some cases the State Nomination is essential for the visa as a whole. We have listed the contact details for each State here, and encourage visa applicants to familiarise themselves with the information on the websites. Keep looking – at present we have no firm dates for the new lists. With an August Federal election in Australia, we may see more changes to migration. WA Skilled Migration, 26.07.10www.migration.wa.gov.auNote that all new applications have been suspended until further notice.
Skilled Migration WA is currently working through all pending applications as a matter of priority and you will be contacted by us as soon as the outcome of your application has been decided. State Migration Plan The Government of Western Australia is currently finalising the State Migration Plan with DIAC. The new Plan will determine the State’s priority occupations list and the requirements for State Sponsorship. Once the Plan is released you will be able to download it from this website. ********** South Australia, updates from 26.07.10www.migration.sa.gov.au/sa/immigrate_from_overseas/visa_options/gen_skill3.jsp 07 July 2010 - New Applications for State Sponsorship You will be aware that Immigration SA 'shut down' our Online Sponsorship Application System from 15 May 2010 until further notice. While we are aware that occupations on the revised Skilled Occupations List released by DIAC on 1 July 2010 may be available for State Sponsorship, Immigration SA will not commence accepting new applications for State Sponsorship until the State Migration Plan (SMP) is implemented. Information about the SMP and the sponsorship eligibility list and any new criteria will be available on the Immigration SA website when they are finalised. There is no date set for the release of the State Migration Plan but this is not likely to occur before August 2010. Do not contact Immigration SA but monitor our website: www.migration.sa.gov.au - for the release and implementation of the State Migration Plan and the List of Occupations for Sponsorship for the next Program Year 2010-2011. Any amendments to the criteria, process and processing times will also be published when the State Migration Plan is released and all current and new applicants must meet any new requirements. Current complete applications for State Sponsorships for 176 Visas received by Immigration SA (and not yet processed) may be considered for Sponsorship when the new State Migration Plan/List of Occupations is released. Emails are being sent to current applicants/agents to advise them of the action they need to take. Thank you for your interest in South Australia. Please monitor this website regularly. 14 May 2010 : Sponsorship Application System - Shut Down As advised on this website one month ago - The Online Sponsorship Application System has been SHUT DOWN until further notice. **************************************************************** Skilled migration to Queensland, Australia 26.07.10workliveplay@qld.gov.au State Migration Plan A Queensland State-sponsored and State regional-sponsored Migration Plan is currently under development. Until the Plan is in place, Queensland may continue to nominate suitable applicants with an occupation on the current Queensland Eligible Skills Lists as long as the occupation is also on the Australian Government's Skilled Occupation List (SOL). ************************************************************* Skilled Migration to Victoria, 26.07.10www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/visas-and-immigrating Eligibility ListsThe Victorian Government is currently developing its State Migration Plan. Information about the plan and new sponsorship eligibility lists will be available on this website when they are complete. Only occupations included on Victoria’s sponsorship eligibility lists will be considered for sponsorship. The new arrangements will be in place no earlier than August 2010. No further applications for Victorian Government skilled visa sponsorship will be accepted from 1 July 2010, to allow for implementation of the State Migration Plan. For more information, see News and Events. ************************************************ Tasmania, the Northern Territory and NSW & Canberra do not
have current information on their websites. It is probable they are
following the general research program of the other States
above, to announce new lists for Nomination in the next few
months.
The New Lists for Working Visas in Australia14th July, 2010 As of 1st July 2010, most of the new programs for working visas in Australia have been announced. These are GSM Visas Subclass 175, 176, 885, 886, 887, 485 487, 495, 475, 476. For all of these visas the primary applicant must nominate an occupation on one of the Skilled Occupation lists. If a partner also has a skill listed, and English and work experience, points can be added to those gained by the primary applicant. We also supply the list for Employer Nominated permanent visas, the ENSOL and the Employer Sponsored Temporary list for the Subclass 457 Visa and the Subclass 442 Occupational Trainee Visa. List One – Schedule 1 applies only to General Skilled Migration (GSM) applicants who lodged their application prior to 1 July 2010. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1.pdf This is the old original SOL list, in Australian Standard Classification of Occupations – ASCO. In Australia each occupation is defined and given a number for reference. List Two – Schedule 2 the SOL in existence prior to 1 July 2010 in ANZSCO code listing – applies to GSM applicants who are eligible for transitional arrangements and who lodge their application before 1 January 2013. This list applies to some students in Australia who began their training before the changes of 1st July 2010. It is a transition list. If you are in Australia on a Student Visa or a Subclass 485 Graduate Student Visa, check this list for eligible occupations. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule2.pdf. List Two is in ANZSCO code – Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations and ASCO. This allows for comparison of occupation titles. List Three – Schedule 3 is the new, current Skills Occupation List (SOL). It applies to all new GSM applications from 1st July, 2010. ‘Transitional’ applicants can also use this list if they prefer it to List Two. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule3.pdf List Four – Schedule 4 the State and Territory Skilled Occupations List. This list is for GSM applicants who are nominated by a State or Territory government agency under a State Migration Plan. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule4.pdf In the near future (August ?) the individual States will be announcing their own State Nomination Lists, to include some occupations that have not been listed in any other list. There are said to be more trade skills coming. The State Nomination Lists are for particular skills in demand in their regions, a result of careful research. Employer Nomination Scheme Occupation List. This list, referred to as the ENSOL, is only for visa applicants applying for the Permanent Employer Sponsored Visas, Subclasses 121 & 856. If applicants are applying under the Employer Nomination Scheme, they must have been nominated by an Australian employer to fill a position in an occupation that appears in the ENSOL. http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/ensol.pdf Note: Applicants must obtain their skills assessment before they lodge their visa in order to send it in with the visa application. Temporary Working Visas Occupation List. This new list, issued on 17th June 2010, differs considerably from the GSM lists and the ENSOL. It is not safe to assume that because one list has a particular occupation it will also be on the other lists. Here is the web address: Specification of occupations for nominations in relation to Subclass 457 (Business (Long Stay)) and Subclass 442 (occupational trainee) Visas ASCO & ANZSCO, the change to the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations list is now being used for all new visa applications, and most new lists have correlation tables to the old ASCO list – except the Temporary Visa List for Subclass 457. Further Information on GSM, Employer Nominated, State Sponsored and 457 temporary visas20 May, 2010
Revised Skilled Occupations List (SOL) announced 17 May, 2010The list is available at: Minister's announcement of new Skilled Occupations List. There is also an FAQ and Fact Sheet. GSM processing on hold for some visasMay 2010The Australian government is changing many regulations and processes this year, particularly with the General Skilled Migration (GSM) pathways, the Employer Sponsored Visas and Skills Assessments, particularly in the Trade Skilled occupations. Visa applications for people overseas are affected but not always in the same way as an onshore application for graduate students applying in Australia, or applying here for an employer sponsored working visa, temporary or permanent.
Western Australian Visa applications 2009,
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Automotive Electrician |
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ASCO Code 4212-11 |
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Fitter |
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ASCO Code 4112-11 |
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Metal Fabricator (Boiler Maker) |
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ASCO Code 4122-11 |
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Metal Machinist (First Class) |
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ASCO Code 4112-13 |
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Sheet Metal worker (First Class) |
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ASCO Code 4124-11 |
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Toolmaker |
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ASCO Code 4113-11 |
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Panel Beater |
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ASCO Code 4213-11 |
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Welder (First Class) |
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ASCO Code 4122-15 |
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Vehicle Painter |
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ASCO Code 4214-11 |
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Furniture Upholsterer |
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ASCO Code 4942-11 |
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Pastry Cook |
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ASCO Code 4512-13 |
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Motor Mechanic |
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ASCO Code 4211-11 |
The trade skills listed here are only those listed on the MODL. There are many other trades where a visa is also available.
Permanent visas for trade skilled people
There are two main ways to come to Australia as a trade-skilled worker.1) The Skilled Migration Program. These are permanent visas for people who are coming here independently, or with family sponsorship.
2) The Employer Sponsored Migration Program. These visas are initiated by employers, who contact their local Business Centre in DIMIA. There are several employer sponsored visas. It is easier to apply as an employer if you live in a 'Regional area' (outside Perth metro district). Employers are expected to show proof of their efforts to recruit locally, and to train young Australians. However with any of the skills listed above, where there is "a significant shortfall of skilled trades people" according to the CCI, overseas recruitment is being encouraged. Once an employer has been approved for recruitment of overseas workers for a particular trade by DIMIA, the newly appointed employees can apply for their visas, which include all family members. From the visa applicants' point of view, these visas are much faster and easier to get than the Skilled Migration visas.
Skills Assessment
Trade skilled applicants must have their skills assessed in Australia by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) if they are applying for one of the Skilled Migration Program visas, and usually require skills assessment for Employer Sponsored visas. Applicants must be able to prove that they are working to Australian standards in safety, competence, experience and ability to read trade diagrams and designs. Training is checked to see that they have qualifications or an apprenticeship, or at least six years on-the-job training (seven years for the electrical trades). Apprenticeships are highly regarded, as are college diplomas. If an applicant only has work experience, extensive proofs are required to show that he or she is working to Australian standards. In addition to training, workers must have work experience after their training is complete.
As it was widely acknowledged by all political parties at the 'Economic Benefits of Immigration' Seminar of March 2001, we need to make sure we attract young, skilled migrants to help us build our economic future in Western Australia.
Assurance of Support
October 2004
On 1st July, 2004 the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) ceased to handle Assurance of Support matters for sponsored visas.
DIMIA now only states which visas need an Assurance, and then passes the interviewing and assessment to Centrelink, the Australian Social Security department.
The methodology between the two departments is different, Centrelink staff are new to the role, and there is some confusion, as is natural. But in the long run, the new system will be an improvement.
What is an Assurance, and who needs one?
An ‘Assurance’ is a financial guarantee by an Australian citizen or a permanent resident of Australia, or an eligible New Zealand citizen. The Assurance is given by an ‘Assurer’ and the person who is assured is called an ‘Assuree’. Basically, an Assurer is someone who is resident in Australia and who guarantees to repay money paid out by Centrelink to support migrants newly arrived in this country. They give an Assurance of Support.
An Assurance is a guarantee of financial backing
that must be paid to Centrelink if welfare support
is paid to a new migrant.
Migrants entering Australia are not normally able to claim welfare in the first two years of their residence in Australia. People get into financial trouble because they find it harder to get employment than they had thought, or they get sick with the change of climate, or it is simply more expensive here than they had budgeted for -- any of these things and many others can cause financial problems. The Assurance system is a backup to allow Centrelink to provide basic financial support to needy migrants.
The Australian Immigration Department (DIMIA) awards extra points on Skilled Migration Visas to people who have family sponsors and Assurers in Australia. Statistics show that migrants settle into Australia much faster if they have family here to provide accommodation and emotional support, as well as an Assurance. Visas where extra points are awarded have what is called a ‘Mandatory’ or ‘Bonded’ Assurance. Other visas, where the DIMIA case officer is concerned about the financial situation of the migrant, these have a ‘Discretionary’ or ‘Unbonded’ Assurance, because they are at the discretion of the case officer. In fact, DIMIA has the discretion to ask for a Discretionary Assurance on any visa.
Mandatory Assurance of Support
A Mandatory Assurance is required for Skilled Migration visas, and for some other visas, particularly Parent visas.
For example: if Jane earns only AUD$24,000 per year and wishes to give an Assurance for her brother, she could join together with her friend Alice who earns AUD$28,000. This would give a joint income figure of AUD$52,000 which is more than sufficient. If the migrant requires financial assistance from Centrelink, both Jane and Alice are equally responsible for the Centrelink outlay.
Family circumstances in the Migrant family, and in the Assuring family
For example:
Ross, who has a wife but no children, is giving an Assurance for his sister Betty, her husband and one child. He will require an income of at least $36,235.00 pa.
In addition, if the Assurer has more than one dependent in their own family, (the first child and a dependent wife or partner is included in the $32,485) their income requirement increases by $1,250 per child and $2,500 per adult.
For example:
Potential Assurers Janet and Tom Smithers have a new baby, so Janet is not working at the moment. They also have two other children, one at play school and one in primary education.
The Australian Smithers family would like to sponsor and give an Assurance for Tom’s brother Steve, who is bringing three children, but whose partner recently died.
With an income of only $37,000 per year, Tom cannot meet the required income of $38.735.00. He decides to ask his other sister Amanda if she can assist in providing a joint Assurance.
In practice, if the Assurer looks to have close to or slightly under the income requirement, it is best to ask for guidance from Centrelink. The calculations are complex. Centrelink can be called on 132850 in Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas.
Discretionary Assurance of Support
A Discretionary Assurance is requested by DIMIA case officers, usually on Family Migration Visa where the sponsoring partner is on a Pension in Australia, or if the sponsor is a student. There is no bond required.
If the Assurer is a single adult, with no dependents, he or she may have the Lower-Income (HCC) of $17,628.00 per year, or $339 per week. The Assurer will have to show income above this level for the last 2 years evidenced by a ‘Notice of Assessment’ by the Tax office. In addition, they must show 3 payslips from the last 3 months to prove that they are still employed, and their income is above the limit of
$339 per week.
If the Assurer is a person with a partner, or has any dependent children, then they will require the Higher-Income (FTB) of $32,485.00.
In a Discretionary Assurance (only) Centrelink will consider the Assurer’s assets -- for example investments. This is if the Assurer has insufficient income. Certificates and proof of assets should be submitted to Centrelink with the other documents of proof of income.
Who can be an Assurer?
If the sponsor is not willing, or cannot provide an Assurance, friends or more distant family can do it instead. Or, a corporation or an unincorporated community group can do it. For example, a cricket association might help a migrant family come to Australia if one of the family were brilliant at cricket. Local governments may act as Assurers and so may State or Territory governments.
Corporate or Unincorporated Assurers
CorporationsIf a corporation wishes to take on an Assurance, it must be correctly registered according to Australian law, and must provide its ABN number. The corporation must have an income in excess of the Higher-Income amount of $32,485.00, which must be proved by ATO tax returns for the last 2 years, also by statements and financial records provided by their Accountants.
Corporations must provide proof of the Higher-Income amount for both Discretionary and Mandatory Assurances, and assets and investments cannot be taken into account.
Unincorporated AssurersAn unincorporated body must prove that it is based in Australia by provision of an address, Australian tax returns, bank accounts etc.
A member of an unincorporated body may act on behalf of the body, if it iswithin the rules of association to do this (Centrelink may ask to see the rules) and if other members have given this person the authority to do so. If a debt occurs, all members will be liable for repayment and the body’s funds will be used to repay the debt. Or, the signatories of the Assurance of Support will be liable for the debt.
Unincorporated bodies must provide proof of the Higher-Income amount for both Discretionary and Mandatory Assurances, and assets and investments cannot be taken into account.
State and Territory governments and Local governments who wish to give an Assurance will not be means tested.
*********
Visa Processing
At present sponsors are to be named at the time of visa application. When DIMIA is ready they will advise the sponsor that an Assurance of Support is required, "before the visa can be finalised" and that an Assurance of Support will need to be lodged. This means that an Assurer should be named by the sponsor who is not taking on the duty, and the Assurer will need to make an appointment with Centrelink for an interview and, if approved, they must lodge the bond. Then the visa can be granted.
Assurers must be over 18 years of age, and they must not be claiming any Centrelink benefits themselves, except child allowance.
Warning. It is to be noted that Assurers who give a bond -- the Mandatory Assurance -- are not limited in financial responsibility to the amount of the bond. So that if a migrant couple claimed Newstart Allowance, for example, and this went on for some months, the responsibility of the Assurer to Centrelink could be many thousand of dollars. Centrelink deducts the bond amount first from the debt, and then claims back from the Assurer amounts in excess of the bond. This also applies to the Discretionary Assurance of Support. But Centrelink does contact the Assurer before paying out financial assistance to a migrant to see if the Assurer can offer direct support -- for example accommodation, or help with finding a job.
Information for Assurer interviews
Look on the Centrelink website at www.facs.gov.au/guide/ssguide for Form SU594.0405. If DIMIA has not already sent you this form, print it out, fill it in, and take with you to the interview. You must sign at Centrelink in front of their officer.
Documents to take with you:
Centrelink can be called on 132850 in Australia or +61 3 6222 3455 from overseas for information. If you need an interpreter, call 131202. To arrange an appointment, call 13 1021.
Bringing a partner in from overseas - Dedicated to St Valentine
Feb 2004
Australians are producing only a meagre 1.7 children per couple. That is well below the 2.1 replacement level. It means that our population of home-grown Australians is declining. In view of this, it’s a good thing we are such attractive people, able to bring into our country 36,076 brides, grooms or partners for Australians every year.
With St Valentine’s Day just passed for 2004, we are reminded of the second largest migration intake -- the Australian Family Stream. (The Skilled Migration Stream visas top the list.) In 2002 -- 2003, Family Stream visas were 37% of a total migrant intake of 108,072 in all categories, which is 40,794 people joining family in Australia.*
Within the Family Stream are the Partner visas: these are Fiancé Visas, Spouse Visas, de facto Spouse Visas and the Interdependent Partner Visa, which is usually taken to mean a couple in a same-sex family relationship. Other categories also in the Family Stream are Parent Visas, Child Visas and visas with smaller numbers, like the Carers Visa. These Family Program Visas all depend on the overseas migrant having an Australian partner or family member to sponsor them.
The largest numbers of visas granted in the Partner Stream were the Spouse Visas, which includes the de facto Spouse relationship applications. There were 29,138 granted in the 2002-2003 period. In my business we process about half our partner visa applicants in de facto relationship, and the others have a Marriage Certificate. However, there is a difference between a casual boyfriend/girlfriend relationship and what the Immigration Department (DIMIA) regards as legally ‘de facto’. It isn’t good enough to be dating or sleeping together. DIMIA looks for commitment proofs, and they must have been in existence at least 12 months. Commitment is shown by such things as living together and sharing the expenses, writing Wills in each other’s favour, and sharing the housework and the mortgage payments. These are the modern tests of a committed relationship -- I’m sure our ancestors would have been rocked on their heels. Of course if a couple has been together for some years (5) or has children, there is no problem. But many young couples have difficulty proving the 12 months de facto, particularly if one partner is a Student or on a Tourist Visa and had to return home early.
Getting married is still a respected way of showing commitment in a relationship. If a couple is married the 12 months is not required, although some history of the engagement and wedding photographs will be asked for. That’s so people don’t come here and marry a likely partner as in the American comedy film ‘Green Card’.
So far, Australia doesn’t recognise same-sex marriage. We may well follow the US debate for future years. If a same-sex couple wish to apply for a visa, they have to go through the same proofs of domestic relationship as a de facto couple. There were 584 Interdependency Visas granted in the last year. Lastly, there are the Fiancé Visas, with a total grant last year of 5354 - a large number. A Fiancé Visa is granted overseas only, to someone who intends to get married to an Australian on arrival in this country. If the couple does not marry, the visa will be cancelled. Bringing in a bride or a new husband from overseas has always been part of our heritage.
As one item in support of a relationship, particularly de facto or Interdependency, we ask for a Scrap Book. Couples can stick in tickets, cards, photos, love letters, wedding invitations and all the other bits and pieces that gather around a close relationship. If a self-addressed envelope is included, DIMIA will return the Scrap Book which can become a lifetime memento of love.
Statistics from http://www.immi.gov.au Information and figures correct at 18.02.04
Written by Mary Heath, Registered Migration Agent 0005790.
Skilled migration and retirement visas
Dec 2003
Illegal immigration and detention centres are often in the news, but the ordinary regulated movement of legal entry into Australia also reflects government policy, and affects the lives of many more people than ever gain illegal entry.
Visa regulations are changed three times a year, in July, November and March. In July we see the price changes. This year a permanent visa in the Skilled Migration Program will rise from $1745 to $1795. The reason for the high cost is that Australia really does check thoroughly to make sure that successful permanent visa applicants have a skill required here -- not more farmers, for example, or more people able to do desk-top publishing -- and that everyone has educational training, apprenticeship training, or in a very few cases "recognised prior learning." This on-the-job training requires 6 years work experience before you can be considered fully trained.
Other areas of assessment are character and health. People with a criminal record undergo considerable investigation. This is not for terrorists, but those who have a record of "grievous bodily harm" or perhaps theft or drug trafficking -- the best-loved crimes! Anyone who has served time in prison, especially a sentence of more than 12 months, may be refused a visa.
People coming to Australia need good health. Sometimes a family applies with a child who has cerebral palsy, or maybe a severe heart defect. The Immigration Department looks at how this child will manage in future years, when their parents have died. Will this person become a burden on tax-payers? If the child is coming with extended family, or there are many aunts and cousins here to help in the future, then the visa may be granted, but otherwise not.
Retirement Visas, a temporary 4 year visa, changed on 1st March 2003 to allow retirees to work part-time. Before this, they couldn't legally work here. As this visa is available for anyone over 55 years of age, the work allowance is reasonable for a population where good health is now expected to last into the 70s or even 80s. And why not? As health improves and older people stay active, they need to have a larger income and an interesting occupation. Running a business from home or a small agricultural enterprise would be ideal for many people.
Retirement Visas are a temporary 4 year visa, designed to cater for those who want to live in a warm climate, perhaps near family. A Retirement Visa can be extended, as long as private medical insurance is kept up and the retiree maintains an adequate income from pensions or invested funds. Applicants for these visas do not need family sponsorship because they are looking after 11:29 06/12/2003 themselves financially and medically, but if there is a son or daughter living here permanently the retirees can come with a lower financial base. There is no restriction or discrimination concerning country of origin (there almost never is). They can come if they are healthy, wealthy and wise!
Aged Parent Migration Visas are the other option for the over-pension aged. But Parent Visas have a long waiting time. A new Contributory Parent Scheme (brought in with the 1st March changes) essentially allows parents to come much faster if they first pay for health and retirement services to cover their declining years. A Parent Visa must be sponsored by a child who already lives in Australia and holds permanent residency, or has become an Australian citizen.
By Mary Heath, Reg. Migration Agent No. 0005790
Graduating overseas students in
Australia...
Do you want to settle here?
Oct 2003
IF YOU LIKE the idea of staying and working in Australia, and later even becoming a citizen, you need to do something about this before your Student Visa expires. And you need to get all the steps right.
You can apply for a permanent visa without leaving Australia. In past years, students had to leave Australia, find work in another country, gain at least 12 months experience, and then apply to come back into Australia (if that's what they wanted to do).
The government relaxed the work-experience rule for students because the country was losing some ideal immigrants: young people, English speakers, trained in Australia to our standards, often with skills in high demand.
115 points and you can stay here
The Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) will give you 'immigration points' for many professional and trade qualifications, good English, for simply being young, and a variety of other things. With 115 points you can stay and work in Australia permanently.
For example, if you graduate in 2003 and qualify as an accountant, dentist, engineer, clinical psychologist or veterinarian, that gains you 60 points. There are 221 other professions or trades that also gain 60 points. Other skills on the DIMIA skills list get 40 or 50 points.
If you're under 30, you get 30 visa points. For an excellent command of English -- which you'd probably have after an Australian education -- you get 20 points.
See how this is adding up? That's already 110 points: 60 + 30 + 20.
And if you're in a high-demand field like nursing, pharmacy, radiation therapy, some computing areas, and certain other fields, you get 10 points more.
Warning: the points given for the different trades and professions change from time to time. Sometimes they change suddenly. So you need to check. See the next section.
If you have a sponsor who's a close relative, add 15 points.
Here are more details
The official name of the visa for graduating students that I'm talking about here is an "Onshore Skilled" visa. That precise visa name is important if you want to look up the current points for your skills or other rules by checking through DIMIA's massive and detailed website at www.immi.gov.au.
Points for your skills
I'd better warn that you don't always get points for a trade or professional qualification. For example, someone with a diploma in photography from TAFE will get no points at all. (We aren't short of photographers, it seems.)
Age
I mentioned that you get 30 visa points if you're under 30. The rest of the points for age go like this:
30 to 34 25 points
35 to 39 20 points
40 to 44 15 points
If you're over 45, you can't apply for any skilled migration visa. But there are other visas you may be able to apply for. Ask me about it.
English
To get into most Australian universities, you need competent English. That means at least 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
You know another language
If you have a degree from a university in another country and the degree work was done in any language except English, that may earn you more points. It depends on the language. Here are the languages that qualify....
Afrikaans
Albanian
Arabic/Lebanese
Armenian
Bangla (Bengali)
Bosnian
Bulgarian
Burmese
Chinese-Cantonese
Chinese-Mandarin
Croatian
Czech
Danish
Dutch
Estonian
Fijian
Filipino (Tagalog)
Finnish
French
German
Greek
Hebrew
Hindi
Hungarian
Indonesian
Italian
Japanese
Khmer
Korean
Lao
Latvian
Lithuanian
Macedonian
Malay
Maltese
Norwegian
Persian
Polish
Portuguese
Punjabi
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Sinhalese
Slovak
Slovene
Spanish
Swedish
Tamil
Thai
Turkish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Vietnamese
Yiddish
You have a sponsor
You get another 15 points if you or your spouse has a close relative who's an Australian citizen (or permanent resident) and the relative is willing to sponsor you. You or your spouse must be related to the sponsor as either a child, parent, brother or sister. And the sponsor has to give a legal undertaking to support you during your first two years here: make sure you have accommodation, help you find work, and give financial support too, if you get into debt. Other financial guarantees are needed as well.
Your spouse or partner has 'spouse points'
You may get extra points for a partner who's included in your visa application. Your partner needs to meet certain threshold criteria: at least vocational English, enough age points, and a listed skill (which must be independently assessed.)
That's not all...
There are other things that will get you points. Some are fairly rare, but if you qualify, the points are automatic.
Stepping back a bit
You can see that if you're young, graduating in a 60-point skill, and have good English, then you can probably get a visa -- provided you do everything right when you apply and do it in time. Even if you're graduating in a 50-point skill, you may still be able to find 115 points (especially if you have a sponsor).
Some graduating students don't know about the Onshore General Skilled visa and most don't know all the rules and variations. I've had emails from students who'd stayed in Australia for years, getting their degree. As soon as they graduated, they went overseas for months to catch up with friends and relatives. Without knowing it, by letting their Student Visa expire they forever lost their chance to apply for the Onshore General Skilled visa. Which means they had to get a job outside Australia and work for at least 12 months (sometimes much longer, depending on their
particular skill). After that, they had to get in the Australian immigration queue with all the other overseas skilled applicants.
What to do next
Get up-to-date information about the visa rules and the points. One way is to use DIMIA's website: www.immi.gov.au
Make sure you have the right form (47SK) and note all the things you'll need to substantiate.
And make sure you're applying for the right skill! Skill is a major part of the visa application. There are many degrees and qualifications. Some of them are suitable for migration, some aren't. For example, I've known students who thought they qualified as accountants, but in fact they'd taken a general business degree. The ICAA doesn't accept that degree. Wrong degree! Or they might have taken a course that was too short, or the wrong units. Any number of things could be wrong.
Fill out the DIMIA form with extreme care and enclose everything they ask for, including their fee (currently $1795). If you make some mistake or forget some item and your application is returned INVALID, you may lose your application fee. You must have the medicals and everything else done, 100%, as set out in precise 'Schedule One' criteria.
If you have trouble reaching 115 points, or you aren't sure of something, or you just don't want to do all this yourself, you can get help from me. I have the right qualifications and authorisation from the government's Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA). Also, I have years of experience. I charge a fee, but it could cost more to do it yourself -- in time or money, or both. Phone me to make an appointment, and at the meeting I'll let you know if I can help and how much it's all likely to cost. I provide a contract so you'll know exactly what I will be doing for you and what it will cost.
I'm putting out this information because I enjoy working with students and have two boys of my own who are university students.
I give students a discount on my usual professional fees for skilled visas.
A few words about Registered Migration Agents
An Australian Migration Agent helps and advises people who want to come to Australia, or who want to remain here. Migration (or immigration) Agents are registered with MARA and qualified in Australian migration law. Although we are government registered, we charge a fee because we are in business.
In Australia it is illegal, with fines and prison sentences, to practice as a Migration Agent without registration. There is a strict Code of Conduct, and a complaints procedure that operates through MARA.
USE-BY Date
Australian migration rules are usually updated every three months. Sometimes rules change more quickly. So don't rely on this information. If you set up a meeting with me, I'll bring you up-to-date with any changes.
Even if you ask me to act for you, information about visas can be confusing, particularly in the early stages when I am researching your personal circumstances or business skills. Until I issue you with a Contract with Viacorp, which states the visa Subclass I have selected for you, no responsibility is taken for misunderstandings or incorrect information.
October 2003
Copyright © 2004-2010 by Viacorp Migration and Viacorp Hello Australia
Mary HeathRegistered Immigration Agent 0005790