Update of the SOL (Skilled Occupation Lists) on 01 July 2011, 07.06.2011
DIAC announced an update of the SOL to be in effect from 01 July 2011. read more »
New Points Test from 01 July 2011, 07.06.2011
The Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) has officially anounced a new points test to be introduced from 01.07.2011. read more »
State Migration Plan - Queensland, 08 December 2010
Queensland's State Migration Plan has come into effect; eligible occupation lists for visa subclasses 176, 886, 475 and 487 have been published.
State Migration Plan - Northern Territory (NT), 22 November 2010
The Northern Territory announced its State Migration Plan on 22 November 2010.
This list of eligible occupations contain large numbers of occupations - containing occupations NOT listed on the SOL - Schedule 3.
New Points Test announced, 11 November 2010
A new points test under the General Skilled Migration Scheme (GSM), as announced on 8 February 2010, may be introduced on 01 July 2011.
The new points test will be focused on selecting highly skilled people.
Changes may include the award of extra points for e. read more »
State Migration Plan - Canberra/ACT- 08 November 2010
Canberra, the ACT, has announced its State Migration Plan on 08 November 2010.
Those lists of eligible occupations contain large numbers of occupations - exceeding the number of occupations on the SOL - Schedule 3.
State Migration Plan - Victoria- 02 November 2010
Victoria has signed the Victorian State Migration Plan for visa sponsorships under Skilled-Sponsored and Skilled-Regional Sponsored Visa (subclasses 176/886, 475 and 487).
Victoria has issued two eligibilty lists (occupation lists). read more »
Changes to current processing times, 10 August 2010
Skilled visa applications, such as i.e. read more »
Priority Processing Updates, 14 July 2010
New priority processing arrangements have come into effect since 01 July when the old Critical Skills List (CSL) was revoked.
New priorities are
1. ENS and RSMS visa applications
2. read more »
New Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in effect, 01 July 2010
The new SOL came into effect on 01 July 2010 - it consists of 4 schedules.
The current SOL (schedule 3) – applies to all new General Skilled Migration visa applications and contains of just under 200 occupations, i.e. read more »
Changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), 17 May 2010
The current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) has been replaced. The new SOL will apply to all new General Skilled Migration applications. read more »
Changes to the General Skilled Migration Program -Part II-, 08 February 2010
The Migration Act will be amended to set a maximum number of visas that may be granted to applicants in any one occupation.
Changes to the General Skilled Migration Program, 08 February 2010
From today the MODL (Migration Occupations in Demand List) has been abolished.
Later in 2010 a new SOL (Skilled Occupation List) will be introduced to replace the MODL and the CSL (Critical Skills List). This means changes to the current Priority Processing will occur. read more »
Changed skills assessment requirements for teachers, 21 March 2010
From 22 March 2010 there will be changed skills assessment criteria for teachers with Teaching Australia under the General Skilled Migration Program.
There will be i.e. new English language requirements:
a. read more »
State Sponsorship from Western Australia, 01 January 2010
From 1 January 2010 a fee of A$200.00 is charged for all skilled sponsorship applications lodged with the Government of Western Australia.
Change of financial requirements for student visas, 01 January 2010
The financial requirements for a student visa have changed.
From 01.01.2010 International students are required to demonstrate that they have genuine access to sufficient funds to be granted a Student visa. read more »
Job Ready Program and trade occupations, 01 January 2010
From 01.01. read more »
Changes to VETASSESS skills assessment requirements, 01 January 2010
From 01.01.2010 VETASSESS will be changing requirements for skills assessments. These changes relate to managerial, administrative, professional and associate professional occupations. read more »
English language requirement for GSM visas, 12 November 2009
From 01.01.2010 the English language requirement for all General Skilled Migration Visas (GSM) will be changed. All applicants who nominate a trade occupation from then on need to demonstrate a minimum of 6. read more »
Exemption from the 12 months requirement, 09 November 2009
From 9 November 2009, de facto couples, who have registered their relationship under a prescribed state or territory law, are exempt from the requirement that their relationship must have existed for at least twelve months prior to the visa application.
Visa Application Charge refunds, 07 November 2009
From 07 November 2009, a visa application charge may be refunded in certain circumstances, when an associated sponsorship or nomination application is refused (subclass 457 visa).
Changes to the Priority Processing direction, 23 September 2009
A new direction to the priority processing rules comes into effect on 23 September 2009.
As hitherto, ENS and RSMS applications will be processed with highest priority by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC). read more »
New Australian Citizenship Test, 18 September 2009
The new Australian citizenship test will see potential new citizens assessed on their understanding of Australian civics and the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship rather than undergoing a general knowledge quiz about Australia. read more »
Australia´s Population to increase by 55% through migration, 18 September 2009
Australia´s population is expected to increase to 35 million people by the year 2049. Currently the population is approx. 23 million people.
This would represent an increase of 55% over the next 30 years. read more »
Changes to (subclass 457) Long Stay Business Visa, 14 September 2009
Market Salary Rates Arrangements
From 14 September 2009 Market Salary Rates requirements are introduced to (subclass 457) Business Long Stay Visa applications. read more »
Changes for educational workers visa, 01 September 2009
From 14 September 2009, the Educational visa will no longer be available. Educational workers seeking to be employed in Australia on a temporary basis should consider applying for a Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) visa. read more »
Student Visa English requirements, 31 August 2009
The IELTS test required for most student visa applications can be done even after lodgement of the visa application. This news results from a recent court decision. The IELTS test now has to be done by the date of the decision about the visa application.
Australian Citizenship / Australische Staatsbürgerschaft
In 2007-2008 121 221 people / immigrants from more than 185 countries were conferred with Australian citizenship. read more »
South Australia closes its capital investment scheme, 06 August 2009
This is the final opportunity for all pre 1 September 2007 GSM applicants to lodge a capital investment. read more »
Views on migration, 16 July 2009
Secretary Mr. Andrew Metcalfe from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship said “We cannot underestimate the role migration has played in Australia’s history and in shaping the nation we have today,"... read more »
Australia’s newest citizens, 8 July 2009
Some 170 people from more than 40 countries will become Australian citizens in ceremonies across the country tomorrow (July 9) as the nation celebrates Constitution Day.
Equal treatment, 1 July 2009
..The Australian Government has removed the discrimination between same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples and their children for migration and citizenship purposes. So same-sex de facto partners have now the same rights and responsibilities as opposite-sex de facto partners. read more »
Trades People, 1 July 2009
Trades people applying to live and work in Australia permanently from July 1 will require increased English language skills. read more »
Change in Visa Application Charges, 28 June 2009
Migration to Australia News: Some Visa Application Charges will be increased from 1 July 2009.
Australia's economic growth forecasts, 25 June 2009
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) raises Australia's economic growth forecasts.
Retirement Visa Changes, 22 June 2009
Latest Legislation News: From 01 July 2009 holders of Retirement visa have full work rights. read more »
Priority processing, 1 January 2009
From 01 January 2009 the following applications for permanent and provisional visas will receive priority processing: Employer sponsorship, State and Territory sponsorship, an occupation on the Critical Skills List (CSL), an occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List .... read more »
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