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In September 2007, the Australian Government brought in a new General Skilled Migration (GSM) program with a revamped points system. Under this revised program, the minimum threshold requirements for people wanting to migrate to Australia are:
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Age: must be under 45 years old at time of application;
Skill: have an acceptable post-secondary trade or professional occupation which has been assessed by the relevant assessing authority in Australia as being suitable for that occupation;
English: have a good level of English language ability; and
Experience: have recent skilled work experience or have recently completed an Australian qualification as the result of two years full-time study in Australia.
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Most visas require applicants to be assessed against the GSM points test and obtain a pass mark. Depending on their individual circumstances, certain applicants can apply while they are in Australia. Otherwise the applications have to be lodged outside Australia.
Applications lodged in Australia:
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Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) - this permanent visa replaced the Skilled – Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) visa.
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) - this permanent visa replaced the Skilled – Australian Sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) visa.
Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa - this 18 month temporary visa replaced the Graduate – Skilled (subclass 497) visa. Skilled – Graduate visa holders have unrestricted work and study rights and can apply for a permanent GSM or employer sponsored visa at any time.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) visa - this three year provisional visa replaced the Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) visa and the Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 496) visa. Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa holders can apply for a permanent Skilled – Regional visa once they have lived for two years and worked full-time for one year in a specified regional area of Australia.
Skilled – Regional (subclass 887) visa - this is a permanent visa for holders of Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 487 and 475), Skilled – Independent Regional and Skilled – Designated Area-Sponsored visas and replaced the second stage Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 883) visa and the State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa.
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Applications lodged outside Australia:
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Skilled – Independent (subclass 175) - this permanent visa replaced the Skilled – Independent (subclass 136) visa and the Skilled – Independent New Zealand Citizen (subclass 861) visa.
Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 176) - this permanent visa replaced the State Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) visa, the Skilled – Australian Sponsored (subclass 138) visa and the Skilled – Australian Sponsored New Zealand Citizen (subclass 862) visa.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) visa - this three year provisional visa replaced the Skilled – Independent Regional (subclass 495) visa, the Skilled – Designated Area Sponsored (subclass 496) visa and the Skilled – Designated Area New Zealand Citizen (subclass 863) visa.
Skilled – Regional Sponsored visa holders can apply for a permanent Skilled – Regional visa once they have lived for two years and worked full-time for one year in a specified regional area of Australia.
Skilled – Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa - this new 18 month temporary visa is for graduates of recognised overseas universities with skills in demand in Australia. Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa holders will have unrestricted work and study rights and can apply for a permanent GSM or employer sponsored visa at any time. The Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa will initially be restricted to graduates with a bachelor degree or higher qualification in engineering from a recognised university. The list of recognised universities will be available in the Department of Immigration and Citizenship website when they have been confirmed by the Minister of Immigration and Citizenship.
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