The new fiscal year has arrived with changes announced and taking effect on the 1st of July 2015. The following changes to both the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) and the Consolidated Sponsored Occupations List (CSOL) will affect all applicants wishing to migrate to Australia henceforth.

https://www.comlaw.gov.au/Details/F2015L01059

Summary

The following occupations have been moved from the SOL to the CSOL; therefore, these occupations now require state sponsorship.

·         Urban and Regional Planner

·         Dental Specialist

·         Dentist

However, two (2) occupations have been upgraded from the CSOL and in the SOL, meaning if state or territory sponsorship is not required, these applicants may now apply independently an elicit sponsorship from an eligible relative.

·         Panelbeater

·         Cabinetmaker

Primary School Teachers

Primary school teachers were for a period of time, removed from CSOL; however this nominated occupation has since been reinstated.

Allied / Health Professionals

The English language requirement for health professions, dental practitioners, medical practitioners, nurses and midwives allow applicants to now combine two (2) separate IELTS reports or submit specific English medical exams such as NZREX or PLAB to meet the registration standards.

Nurses, Doctors and other medical professionals who aspire to have the subclass 187 RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) and 186 ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme) visas now have easier access to exemptions in age requirement if they are 50 years of age or older. They will not be required to be working with the same employer while holding a subclass 457 Visa or Subclass 422 Visa provided that they fulfill the following conditions:

·         Employed for a nominated occupation for at least 4 years

·         2 of the required 4 years work must be located in Regional Australia

·         Nominated position should be in Regional Australia

Ministers of Religion

Permanent visas will now be much more difficult for Religious Ministers to obtain. They are no longer eligible for the Direct Entry and Temporary Residence Transition stream of Subclass 186 and 187 visa, as well as the Temporary Work (Skilled) Subclass 457 visas. Religious organisations are required to have an Industry Labour Agreement before submitting nominations under the 186, 187 and 457 visas. Exemptions to age, skill and English language are no longer available for them and they must meet the requirements outlined in the Ministry of Religion Industry Labour Agreement.

Skills Assessment for Accountants and Auditors

Accountants and Auditors have now a narrow range of completed modules to secure a positive outcome. The Core Knowledge Areas have been reduced from twelve (12) to now nine (9). Accountants will need to complete at least seven (7) out of nine (9) while External Auditors and Taxation Accountants need at least eight (8) out of nine (9) Core Knowledge Areas.

Fee Increases

This should not come as a surprise! The full list of fees is now available here:

http://www.border.gov.au/ReportsandPublications/Documents/budget/VAC-increases-fact-sheet.pdf

Need help with your Australian visa application?

If you are interested to migrate, work or have your eligibility be assessed for migration to Australia, contact NTRUST, Singapore’s leading Australian Migration Agency. Alternatively, attend our monthly immigration seminar for insights into the migration process or schedule for a professional consultation for detailed discussions.

Sources:

http://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Work/Work/Skills-assessment-and-assessing-authorities/skilled-occupations-lists
http://www.migration.sa.gov.au/skilled-migrants/nomination-process/skilled-nomination-changes-1st-july-2015