Streamlined Visa Processing
Last Updated: Thursday, 12 April 2012
The Australian government has recently changed the requirements for student visas to make it easier for students to come to Australia to study called as the University Sector Streamlined Visa Processing.
This University Sector Streamlined Visa Processing commenced on 24 and 26 March 2012
International students who enroll in a Bachelor or Master degree course at a university now need only satisfy the minimum financial and English language evidentiary requirements (similar to the current Assessment Level 1 criteria) regardless of country of origin. This change will also help student by reducing their visa processing times.
This means that these applicants will generally have reduced evidentiary requirements when applying for a Student visa.
There are also changes on the work condition for Student Visa Holder.
Postgraduate Research (subclass 574) visa holders can now work unlimited hours once their courses have started and an extra six months added to their student visa to allow for thesis marking.
All other Student visa holders work entitlements are also now changed to 40 hours each fortnight instead of 20 hours each week. Please be noted that the changes apply to both new and existing Student visa holder.
Skilled Occupations List (SOL) - May 2010
New List of Skilled Occupations Intended to Replace the Current Skilled Occupation List.
It is intended that this list of occupations will form the new Skilled Occupation List, proposed to come into effect from 1 July 2010. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship will be recommending that the Governor-General in Council make amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the framework in which this new list would be applied.
ANZSCO Code and the Corresponding occupation:
133111 Construction project manager
133112 Project builder
133211 Engineering manager
134111 Child Care center manager
134211 Medical administrator
134212 Nursing clinical director
134213 Primary health organisation manager
134214 Welfare centre manager
221111 Accountant (general)
221112 Management accountant
221113 Taxation accountant
221213 External auditor
221214 Internal auditor
224111 Actuary
224511 Land economist
224512 Valuer
231212 Ship's engineer
231213 Ship's master
231214 Ship's officer
232111 Architect
232112 Landscape architect
232211 Cartographer
232212 Surveyor
232611 Urban and regional planner
233111 Chemical engineer
233112 Materials engineer
233211 Civil engineer
233212 Geotechnical engineer
233213 Quantity surveyor
233214 Structural engineer
233215 Transport engineer
233311 Electrical engineer
233411 Electronics engineer
233511 Industrial engineer
233512 Mechanical engineer
233513 Production or plant engineer
233611 Mining engineer (excluding petroleum)
233612 Petroleum engineer
233911 Aeronautical engineer
233912 Agricultural engineer
233913 Biomedical engineer
233914 Engineering technologist
233915 Environmental engineer
233916 Naval architect
234111 Agricultural consultant
234112 Agricultural scientist
234113 Forester
234211 Chemist
234611 Medical laboratory scientist
234711 Veterinarian
241111 Early childhood (pre-primary school) teacher
241411 Secondary school teacher
241511 Special needs teacher
241512 Teacher of the hearing impaired
241513 Teacher of the sight impaired
241599 Special education teachers nec
251211 Medical diagnostic radiographer
251212 Medical radiation therapist
251213 Nuclear medicine technologist
251214 Sonographer
251411 Optometrist
251412 Orthoptist
252111 Chiropractor
252112 Osteopath
252311 Dental specialist
252312 Dentist
252411 Occupational therapist
252511 Physiotherapist
252611 Podiatrist
252711 Audiologist
252712 Speech pathologist
253111 General medical practitioner
253211 Anaesthetist
253311 Specialist physician
253312 Cardiologist
253313 Clinical haematologist
253314 Clinical oncologist
253315 Endocrinologist
253316 Gastroenterologist
253317 Intensive care specialist
253318 Neurologist
253321 Paediatrician
253322 Renal medicine specialist
253323 Rheumatologist
253324 Thoracic medicine specialist
253399 Internal medicine specialist nec
253411 Psychiatrist
253511 Surgeon (general)
253512 Cardiothoracic surgeon
253513 Neurosurgeon
253514 Orthopaedic surgeon
253515 Otorhinolaryngologist
253516 Paediatric surgeon
253517 Plastic and reconstructive surgeon
253518 Urologist
253521 Vascular surgeon
253911 Dermatologist
253912 Emergency medicine specialist
253913 Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
253914 Ophthalmologist
253915 Pathologist
253916 Radiologist
253999 Medical practitioners nec
254111 Midwife
254411 Nurse Practitioner
254412 Registered nurse (aged care)
254413 Registered nurse (Child and Family Health)
254414 Registered nurse (community health)
254415 Registered nurse (critical care and emergency)
254416 Registered nurse (development disability)
254417 Registered nurse (disability and rehabilitation)
254418 Registered nurse (medical)
254421 Registered nurse (medical practice)
254422 Registered nurse (mental health)
254423 Registered nurse (perioperative)
254424 Registered nurse (surgical)
254499 Registered nurse
261111 ICT business analyst
261112 Systems analyst
261311 Analyst programmer
261312 Developer programmer
261313 Software engineer
263311 Telecommunications engineer
263312 Telecommunications network engineer
272311 Clinical psychologist
272312 Educational psychologist
272313 Organisational psychologist
272314 Psychotherapist
272399 Psychologists nec
272511 Social worker
312211 Civil engineer drafts-person
312212 Civil engineer technician
312311 Electrical engineer draft-person
312312 Electrical engineer technician
313211 Radio communications technician
313212 Telecommunications field engineer
313213 Telecommunications network planner
313214 Telecommunications technical officer or technologist
321111 Automotive electrician
321211 Motor mechanic (general)
321212 Diesel motor mechanic
321213 Motorcycle mechanic
321214 Small engine mechanic
322211 Sheetmetal trades worker
322311 Metal Fabricator
322312 Pressure Welder
322313 Welder (first class)
323111 Aircraft maintenance engineer (avionics)
323112 Aircraft maintenance engineer (mechanical)
323113 Aircraft maintenance engineer (structures)
323313 Locksmith
324111 Panelbeater
324311 Vehicle painter
331111 Bricklayer
331112 Stonemason
331211 Carpenter and Joiner
331212 Carpenter
331213 Joiner
332211 Painting trades workers
333111 Glazier
333211 Fibrous plasterer
333212 Solid plasterer
333411 Wall and floor tiler
334111 Plumber (general)
334112 Air-conditioning and mechanical services plumber
334113 Drainer
334114 Gas-fitter
334115 Roof plumber
341111 Electrician (general)
341112 Electrician (special class)
341113 Lift mechanic
342111 Air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic
342211 Electrical linesworker
342212 Technical cable jointer
342313 Electronic equipment trades worker
342314 Electronic instrument trades worker (general)
342315 Electronic instrument trades worker (special class)
411211 Dental Hygienist
411212 Dental Prosthetist
411213 Dental technician
411214 Dental therapist
Current Visa Changes April 2010
The New Skilled Occupation List (SOL)
On 8 February 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced that the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) was revoked from that date. He also announced his intention that the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) be replaced from the second half of 2010 with a new list of targeted occupations.
A new list of occupations has been developed based on advice from the independent body, Skills Australia. Skills Australia has been established by the Australian Government to provide expert and independent advice on matters relating to Australia’s current, emerging and future workforce skills and workforce development needs.
The introduction of a new list of occupations is part of a package of proposed reforms that reflects the government’s commitment to a labour market demand-driven skilled migration program.
The number of places available to independent skilled migrants in the skilled migration program is expected to fall as the number of places available for employer-sponsored skilled migrants increases. Employer-sponsored migration matches migrants directly to jobs in Australia, making it the best method to ensure the labour market gets the skills it needs now.
It is therefore important that the smaller number of independent skilled migration places that are available are filled by migrants with skills that are critical to Australia’s economic development in the medium to long term. The new list of occupations identifies these skills.
The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. See: What’s New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration.
It is intended the new list of occupations would deliver a General Skilled migration (GSM) program more tightly focused on delivering high-value nation building skills.
The new list is intended to align the GSM program with Australia’s overall workforce development strategy, also developed by Skills Australia. The new list is focused on targeting specialized occupations that require a long lead time of formal education and training. It includes managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The list of occupations will be reviewed annually but it is expected that it will be relatively stable over time.
The Minister will be recommending that the Governor-General in Council make amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the framework in which this new list would be applied. The new SOL is proposed to commence on 1 July 2010.
It is anticipated the new list would apply to all new GSM applications lodged on or after implementation of the new SOL, with the exception of applicants who fall within the proposed transitional arrangements outlined below.
Current Visa Changes 2009
Changes will include:
- Increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants
- Rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency
- Greater emphasis on skilled work experience
- Introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates
- Simplifying the GSM visa structure
DIAC (Department of Immigration and Australian Citizenship) has recently introduced the changes to the General Skilled Migration program.
As this directly relates with studying option of a vast number of potential students we are bringing you the brief overlook of the prepared changes.
Changes to the General Skilled Migration program (GSM) will be introduced on 1 September 2007. People who have made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.
The threshold level of English language proficiency will be raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent) on all four components. However, applicants applying for trade occupations will be required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5. Under the points test system, bonus points will be given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level and additional points will be allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.
Note: Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) points will only be awarded to applicants with at least 12 months experience in their nominated occupation or one that is closely related. To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, there will be tighter requirements on links between study, work experience and nominated occupation. International students who are unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) to build on their skills and work experience. This visa will have unrestricted work rights. The changes aim to ensure that overseas students who decide to stay on in Australia after completing their studies have a much better chance of competing for jobs in their chosen vocation.
There are currently 15 GSM visa sub classes available to people onshore and offshore, who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia. Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa sub classes - four offshore and five onshore. This new structure enables applicants to more easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances. For more information on this topic visit the DIAC website.
Source: www.immi.gov.au