Date: 14/11/2010
New migration points test to better address Australia"s skills needs. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, announced on 11/11/2010 a new points test to assess independent skilled migrants as part of the Gillard Government’s ongoing commitment to reforming the skilled migration program to deliver the skills Australia needs.
Mr Bowen said the new points test will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and high level qualifications, and is designed to ensure no one factor guarantees migration.
‘These changes to the points test are an important next step in the series of reforms to the skilled migration program announced by the Government in February 2010.
The new points test will ensure that the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants are selected.’
The new test will also continue to recognise the additional value that Australian education offers.
The new points test will complement the new skilled occupation list, which came into effect on 1 July 2010, to deliver migrants with a mix of the skills and attributes needed to contribute productively in Australia.
It is important to note that the points test only applies to one component of the skilled migration program. Employer-sponsored visa categories are not affected by changes to the points test.
The new points test is proposed to take effect from 1 July 2011, subject to the commencement of supporting legislation. It will apply to anyone lodging an application from 1 July 2011.
Source: DIAC website: www.immi.gov.au
For further and more information about the new points test or to check your eligibility under the present points test or the new points test, please contact Global Visa Hub Team soon before the changes affect you. act now ..... act soon.
|