Banner

Migration Agents Australia

GET the BBM NEWSLETTER!
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
Banner
New Skilled Occupations List (New SOL)

A new Skilled Occupations List ( New SOL) is to be introduced by mid 2010. The list will be compiled by Skills Australia, an independent body which has been set up by the Department of Employment, Education and Training. The list should be available by 30 April 2010, and will come into effect by mid 2010.

Click Here to see the New SOL in the occupations that interest you.

The New SOL will include occupations that require a long lead time of formal education and training and where the economic impact of not having the skills is significant. The result will most likely be a much shorter list. If your occupation is not on the new SOL, you will only be able to apply for a state or territory nominated GSM visa.

However, there are generous transitional provisions for international students studying in Australia. In particular, you will not be affected by the changes if:

* You have already applied for a permanent or provisional GSM visa prior to 8 February 2010; or
* You have already applied for or been granted a subclass 485 Graduate Skilled visa prior to 8 February 2010, and lodge your permanent or provisional GSM visa application prior to 31 December 2012.

If you are in Australia on a student visa as of 8 February 2010, then you can apply for a skilled graduate visa in any occupation on the current SOL, but must then apply for a permanent or provisional skilled visa in an occupation on the New SOL.

Because the new SOL is not available, this change will create a significant amount of uncertainty and anxiety. When the list is published, it is likely that:

1. Many applicants will seek to lodge GSM applications ahead of the changeover date; and
2. International students not studying in an new SOL occupation will seek to change to courses which are on the SOL

New SOL Compared to MODL

The new SOL will effectively replace the current MODL as the "beacon" for people wishing to complete studies in Australia which will then qualify them for permanent residence.

The new arrangements also inherit other problems associated with the MODL - namely that the process of creating the list is to be handled by an agency external to the Department of Immigration with all the delays and communication issues associated with this.

It is hoped that the New SOL will be relatively static, and that issues of the skill level appropriate to actually work in the occupation in Australia will be taken into account. Many felt that the skill level for occupations on the MODL such as cookery and hairdressing were too low and led to the remarkable growth in student numbers in these occupations.
 

Visa Information

The Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen, today announced that a new points test will apply for General Skilled Visas from 1 July 2011. The points test has a number of significant changes from the current points test which is in operation. This article explains the main changes to be introduced, with a view to which applicants will benefit (winners) and which will be disadvantaged (losers) as a result. Occupation The current points test gives either 40, 50 or 60 points for occupation. The new
Q. I have been working for almost three months in designated industries in designated areas so that I am eligible for the grant of a second Working Holiday Maker visa. However, my most recent employer, a farmer, had to cease my employment because his crops were destroyed by Cyclone Yasi, and my first WHM visa is about to expire. Will the department take this into account whencalculating whether or not I have completed three months of ‘specified work', if I apply for a second WHM visa? A
A LOOMING skills crisis will force Queensland to look to overseas migration to supply thousands of skilled workers. This shortage is the result of a booming mining industry and the imminent retirement of waves of baby boomers, and flies in the face of growing calls for migration caps. The lack of skills has already led to an admission from the mining sector that some coal mines could be forced to close because of a lack of highly qualified safety officers who must be on site at all hours of
AUSTRALIAN Immigration law and policy is shifting greatly in relation to the skills attributes and characteristics of a permanent resident visa applicant hoping to be successful in their application. On 1 July 2011, the Australian government is expected to release a new points test for independent skilled migration to Australia. Simply put, older more experienced skilled professionals and trades people from English speaking backgrounds that are not eligible under the existing regime can becom
INCREASING amounts of British, Irish and European residents are electing to study in Australia as a way of extending their stay for longer periods of up to two years. This is a great way of continuing to enjoy the notoriously relaxed, Australian lifestyle whilst at the same time gaining some new skills and experiences along the way. And on top of that, there are a huge range of study options! What Are My Options? Some of the most popular vocational courses include Certificates in Fitness, Ma
Australian Immigration law and policy is shifting greatly in relation to the skills attributes and characteristics of a permanent resident visa applicant who can expect to be successful in their application. On 1 July 2011, the Australian government is expected to release a new points test for independent skilled migration to Australia. Simply put, older more experienced skilled professionals and trades people from English speaking backgrounds that are not eligible under the existing regime
The Minister for Immigration, Chris Bowen, today announced that a new points test will apply for General Skilled Visas from 1 July 2011. The points test has a number of significant changes from the current points test which is in operation. This article explains the main changes to be introduced, with a view to which applicants will benefit (winners) and which will be disadvantaged (losers) as a result. Occupation The current points test gives either 40, 50 or 60 points for occupation. The n
The Minister for Immigration has announced the New SOL new Skilled Occupations List which will apply from 1 July 2010. The list is based on the Specialised Occupations List produced by Skills Australia in March 2010, but excludes a number of occupational categories from this list. The new list has 181 occupations, versus 400 on the current Skilled Occupations List. What's on the List The occupations on the list are within the following specialisations: Building & Construction - proje
DIAC has announced the new Skilled Occupation List, New SOL.   As expected, the number of occupations in the list has been reduced by over half, to ensure people with the most critical skills are able to migrate.   What Occupations Have Stayed on the New SOL? The jobs that remain in highest demand, and therefore on the New SOL, are accountants, auditors, IT professionals, construction professionals, nurses, engineers, childcare managers, secondary school
Changes to General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program 8 February 2010 by Mark Webster, Acacia Immigration Australia, 8 February 2010 The Australian Minister for Immigration today announced significant changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program. These changes represent an effort to more closely target the skills required in the Australian community and are a precursor to further changes to be implemented this year.Cap and Cease of Offshore GSM Applications Lodged Prior to 1
New Skilled Occupations List (New SOL) A new Skilled Occupations List ( New SOL) is to be introduced by mid 2010. The list will be compiled by Skills Australia, an independent body which has been set up by the Department of Employment, Education and Training. The list should be available by 30 April 2010, and will come into effect by mid 2010.
Last Minute Changes to General Skilled Migration to Affect both Onshore and Offshore Applicants from 1 January 2010 by Mark Webster, Acacia Immigration Australia, 17 December 2009 Legislation has been released on Comlaw on the 15th of December to affect both onshore and offshore applicants for General Skilled Migration. These changes have not yet been published on the DIAC website or discussed with the Migration Institute of Australia.
"BRITS FLOCK TO START A NEW LIFE IN AUSTRALIA" - November 27th, 2009 Sydney Morning Herald. - The Article included new statistics showing the number of people leaving Britain has soared to a record high, with Australia the top country of choice to set up home.
Australian Citizenship - Special Residence Requirement Introduced Effective 21 September, the Australian Department of Immigration has introduced the ability for certain people to apply for Australian citizenship, even if they do not meet the usual residence requirement.
Getting your PR - A Guide for International Students (Part 2) Skills Assessment Nominated OccupationThe first decision you will need to make is which occupation to nominate in your application. You will need to pass skills assessment in this occupation. Your occupation must be on the skilled occupations list - see www.acacia-au.com/sol.php. You will be awarded a certain number of points for your occupation - either 40, 50 or 60 points.
Top 10 Tips for International Students Many international students studying in Australia dream of one day becoming permanent residents and staying on in Australia for good. The most common pathway for students is to apply for General Skilled Migration on completion of their studies.
Changes to 457 Program - 14th September 2009 The Australian Department of Immigration has introduced a number of changes to the sponsorship regime for temporary workers in Australia on subclass 457 visas. These changes come into effect on 14 September 2009 and involve the following: • New criteria for approval as a business sponsor, including a training benchmark
VISA NEWS - UPDATE OF THE SUBCLASS 457 VISA REFORMSEFFECTIVE 14TH SEPTEMBER 2009 There have been significant changes to the rules regarding Subclass 457 visas (and many other temporary visas) commencing on the 14th September 2009 with hundreds of pages of regulations and policy materials issued.
VISA NEWS - UPDATE OF THE CHAGES TO THE MIGRATION OCCUPATIONS IN DEMAND (MODL) LIST - SUBCLASS 457 VISA APPLICANTS AND VISITORS VISAS.
NO matter how much of a jack-of-all-trades you consider yourself, for some jobs you just have to call the experts. So when it comes to Australian Visas applications, you really need to hire some help - preferably in the form of a lawyer. A governing authority called the Migration Agents Registration Authority regulates anyone who provides immigration assistance. Australian Lawyers are immediately eligible to apply for registration with the MARA whilst other applicants, who must either be Australi