« Further details confirmed for skilled migration from July 2012 »
Saturday, January 14, 2012 at 1:44AM Further details of how the new skilled migration system will work have been released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) ahead of the July 2012 implementation.
Under the new scheme proposed by the DIAC skilled migration will be handled by a new two-stage application process via a new register of migrants called 'SkillSelect'. It is intended that SkillSelect will help the national, state and territory governments select the 'highest quality skilled migrants' and also more closely match regional needs with skilled migrants.
The new system will apply to anyone applying for a visa through subclasses 175, 176 and 475 as well as business skills visa applications.
How does it work?
The first step in the two-stage process is for applicants to submit an 'Expression of Interest' EoI to the DIAC. This is not a visa application itself; instead if can be though of as an application to the DIAC for a visa application slot.
Before applying for an EoI a prospective migrant must have any appropriate skills assessments in place as well as any English language test results that they may require.
The DIAC will give each EoI a score and rank based on a points test. The DIAC will then invite the highest ranking EoIs to make a visa application.
It is intended that this extra stage will allow the DIAC to manage the flow of visa applications and reduce processing times.
The following diagram shows how the SkillSelect system will work:
How will my EoI be scored?
The DIAC have not announced the points criteria for EoIs yet, but this will follow in due course. They will, however, be based on similar criteria to the current skilled migration system.
What next?
If you are invited to apply for a visa you will then have 60 days to do so. Any application must be made electronically.
You will get a maximum of two invitations to apply. If you do not apply having had both of these then your EoI will be removed from the pool and you will have to submit a new one.
The full visa application process has not been confirmed as yet but you should expect to provide further forms, declarations, supporting documents and fees.
What about state/territory sponsorship?
SkillSelect will make the pool of prospective applicants available to state/territory representatives, who will be given the opportunity to issue invitations for sponsorship in accordance with their own State Migration Plan. If sponsorship is agreed, the sponsored applicant will then be invited to apply for a visa.
Processing times and the 'ceiling'
The DIAC have made no confirmations to date about processing times. However, each occupation will have a maximum number of applicant places, or a 'ceiling'. The DIAC is essentially a quota - the DIAC can invite applicants until they have reached the ceiling.
The ceiling is being introduced to ensure that the skilled migration system provides a broad range of skilled migrants to match the needs of the country, preventing dominance from any individual popular industries.
The following diagram provided by the DIAC's Skilled Migration Blog, explains the ceiling:
Reader Comments (1)
Skilled migration visas are one of the best opportunities for skilled workers to live and work in one country. The importance of skilled immigrants in driving new jobs has been known for years.