Skill Select’ was introduced on the 1st July 2012. Skill Select is a system whereby you express an interest in migrating to Australia permanently and then wait for the DIAC (Department of Immigration and Citizenship) to invite you to apply for a visa. You may review the requirements / format at the following link: http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/index/. Please note that under this system you will have no control over whether you are invited to apply or not. If you are not invited after 24 months your Expression of Interest (EOI) becomes void.

From the 1st July 60 points will become the threshold pass mark. However, it will be the applicants who obtain 70, 75, 80 points or higher or who are sponsored by a state / territory who are invited to apply. The only way to guarantee your EOI will succeed would be to obtain state / territory sponsorship. You will need to commit to living in the state / territory that sponsors you for two years following the grant of your permanent residency visa.

Skill Select is an independent application and would take up to approximately 6 months following your submission to the DIAC. If you are required to seek an independent visa then you will need to answer the following questions for:

1.         The first stage to obtaining an independent permanent residency visa through skill select is to have your skills assessed in an occupation that appears on the current SOL (Skilled Occupation List). You will need to  review the following link and tell decide which occupation title most accurately reflects your skills, work experience and qualifications: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/_pdf/sol-schedule1-2.pdf.

2.         Confirm how many years work experience in Australia and overseas you have had in your nominated occupation

3.         Have you ever completed an IELTS test? If so, you will need to confirm what score you obtained on each part.
If you are interested to know more about Skill Select and to see if you might be suitable for this approach to get your visa to come to Australia – submit an enquiry form to us via our website. Click HOME on this page and follow the instructions to contact us via the template enquiry form we provide on the website.

Australian Visa Experts

Helping you achieve your Dream

It was reported in today news as follows -

“Companies are complaining of certain skills shortages when it comes to finding qualified professionals in HR, Finance, Sales and Marketing. Money is not the issue, it is the shortage of professional people. This is becoming a major issue now.”

If you are are a professional in any of these identified areas of skill shortage in Australia, this is a great time and window of opportunity to apply for a work visa or even Permanent Residence.

Contact us and an expert migration agent will assess your eligibility.

Australian Visa Experts

This is hot off the press.

Skills Australia report to the government confirms a stark shortage of skilled workers in Sydney and regional NSW.

It estimates that by 2015 New South Wales will need an extra 180,000 trade or certificate workers to meet demand, and a 144,000 more diploma-qualified workers.

There is strong demand for skilled workers in these occupations -

• Mining
• Administration and support
• Construction
• Information, media and telecommunications
• Public administration and safety
• Retail trade
• Professional, scientific and technical services
• Healthcare and social assistance

Submit your enquiries using our enquiry template and Australian Visa Experts will assist you to find out if your skills and occupation are in demand and assess your visa eligibility.

Australian Visa Experts

Here is what was reported in the Weekend Australian Financial Review today -

Skilled migrants already working in Australia on temporary work visas (457 visas) will soon find it easier to gain permanent residency (PR) under changes announced by the Minister for Immigration

Holders of 457 visas will not have to resit tests to assess their trade or skills or their English language skills to gain their PR.

PR will be gained either via the Employer Nomination Scheme or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS).

Permanent employer sponsored visa places account for 39% of the total skilled migration program for 2011-12.  The RSMS program allows Australian employers to sponsor workers for PR to fill skilled full time job vacancies in their businesses.

Businesses across the economy are still experiencing skill shortages in key occupations, especially those in demand by sectors such as engineering and the skilled trades.

If you have a skill that is currently in short supply in Australia, this is a good time to apply for a work visa.

Australian Visa Experts

We look forward to being of service to you.

This information is provided on the Department of Immigration website.

The number of subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged from July to end December 2011 was 36.7 per cent higher than the same period last program year.

The number of subclass 457 primary visas granted from July to end December 2011 was 50.7 per cent higher than the same period last year.

The number of primary visa holders in Australia at 31 December 2011 was 68 320 and reflected an increase of 14.5 per cent in comparison with the same in the previous year.

Offshore primary visa lodgements from July to end December 2011 were 43.4 per cent higher than the same period last program year, reflecting a continued strong employer demand for temporary skilled workers.

457 Visa application trends

The number of subclass 457 primary visa applications lodged from July to end December 2011 was 36.7 per cent higher than the same period last program year. Although application lodgements tend to ease in December due to the holiday season, the number of primary applications lodged in December 2011 was still 20.9 per cent higher than that in December 2010.

From July to end December 2011, primary applications offshore were 43.4 per cent higher than the same period last program year. Primary applications offshore for December 2011 were 19.2 per cent higher than in December 2010. Offshore primary applicants reflect new additions to the Australian labour market.

From July to end December 2011, primary applications onshore were 28.3 per cent higher than the same period last program year. Primary applications onshore for December 2011 were 23.1 per cent higher than in December 2010.

The number of ANZSCO Major Group 1 to 2 (Managers and Professionals) primary applications lodged from July to end December 2011 was 23.1 per cent higher than the same period last program year. During the same period, the number of ANZSCO Major Group 3 (Technicians and Trades workers) primary applications increased by 81.3 per cent.

457 Visa grant trends

The number of subclass 457 primary visas granted from July to end December 2011 was 50.7 per cent higher than the same period last program year. The number of primary visas granted in December 2011 was 44.5 per cent higher than in December 2010.

From July to end December 2011, offshore 457 primary visa grants were 55.7 per cent higher than the same period last program year. Compared with December 2010, the number of 457 offshore primary visa grants was 48.7 per cent higher in December 2011.

From July to end December 2011, 457 onshore primary visa grants were 43.8 per cent higher than the same period last program year. The number of onshore 457 primary visa grants in December 2011 was 39.4 per cent higher than in December 2010.

In the year to end December 2011, 71.6 per cent of 457 primary visa grants were to Managers and Professionals and 22.0 per cent were to Technicians and Trades Workers.