15 JUNE 2012
IN EFFECT 1 JULY 2012
The annual review of the Skilled Occupation List has been announced.
The new list will come into effect on 1 July 2012. Four occupations have been added to the list, and four occupations have been removed.
TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
If you held a subclass 485 visa, or had a pending subclass 485 pending visa application on 8 February 2010, you can apply for your permanent GSM visa (under existing arrangements) before 31 Dec 2012 using both new and old Skilled Occupation Lists *subject to satisfying appropriate immigration criteria.
Transitional arrangements also apply if you held a subclass 572, 573 or 574 visa on the 8 February 2010.
CURRENT PENDING APPLICATIONS
If your GSM visa application is currently pending, your application will still be decided based on the skilled occupation list applicable at the time your lodged that visa application.
WHAT IF MY OCCUPATION IS NOT ON THE NEW SOL?
If your occupation is not on the new SOL, you may seek alternate migration pathways such as:
Employer Nomination Temporary & Permanent Visas
State/Territory Nomination Visas
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme
The above visa programs will be be integrated into SkillSelect from 1 July 2012.
NEW PASSMARK FOR SKILLED MIGRATION
The passmark to submit an Expression of Interest into SkillSelect for new SkillSelect visas from 1 July 2012 will be 60 points on the GSM Points Test.
The passmark for existing GSM visas which are open until 31 December 2012 remains at 65 points points.
More information is available:
VIEW The new Skilled Occupation List effective 1 July 2012