Immigration News

  • FAQ’s on Skill Select EOI Model Jan 30, 2012

    FAQ's on SkillSelect EOI Model proposed for implementation on July 1, 2012 (extract from DIAC info) 

     


     

  • Processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications Nov 26, 2011

    Dept of Immigration have advised they are close to allocating Priority Group 5 applications. 

    Here is the table of priorities for processing of GSM applications:

    1. Applications who are employer sponsored under the RSMS program (Subcalss 857/119) or who have applied for a Skilled - Regional (subclass 887) visa
    2. Applications who are applying under the ENS program (Subclass 856/121)
    3. Applications who are nominated by a state or territory government agency for an occupation specified on that agency's state migration plan
    4. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - Schedule 1 in effect from 1 July 2011 See: Annual Update of Skilled Occupation List 
    5. All other applications

     

     

  • New 457 Visa Accreditation Scheme Nov 3, 2011

    Today, the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen, announced businesses using the subclass 457 visa program can now gain access to priority processing and approval for six years under a new accreditation scheme.

    He advised the "new scheme recognises that many Australian businesses have a long history of dealing with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and an excellent record of compliance with workplace and migration laws" and "these businesses will be able to seek accreditation that qualifies them for sponsorship approval of six years rather than the current three, as well as ensuring faster processing times for all future subclass 457 nominations and visa applications.'

     

  • Victoria Updates State Migration Plan (SMP) Nov 2, 2011

    Changes have been made to Victoria's occupation lists, which detail occupations eligible to apply for state sponsorship.

    The Victorian Government have advised they regularly update these lists and now provides forewarning of occupations that are attracting a high number of applications and are likely to close before the end of the program year. The program year ends on June 30, and occupations are regularly closed when the quota fills. 


  • South Australia State Migration Plan Update Oct 28, 2011

    South Australia government have advised they have reached the quota for some occupations on their State Migration Plan for 2010-2011. This relates to Visa Subclass 176 applications. 

  • Alternate English Test Providers for Student Visas Oct 19, 2011

    Commencing November 1, 2011 there are some alterate tests allowable to demonstrate the required English levels for student visas. 

  • New Work & Holiday for PNG Oct 17, 2011

    DIAC have announced a new recriprocal arrangement with Papua New Guinea as part of the Work & Holiday Visa Program (i.e. Subclass 462).

  • Strategic Review of the Student Visa Sep 28, 2011

    In Jan 2011, the Honorable Michael Knight was given the task to perform a review of the Student Visa Program and make recommendations to improve the program. The result was released this week being the release of the "Strategic Review of the Student Visa Program 2011" (aka The Knight Review).

  • Victoria issues new State Migration Plan Sep 22, 2011

    The Victorian State Government have issued the updated State Migration Plan (SMP). This lists the occupations eligible to apply for Victorian state sponsorship under the Skilled - Sponsored (176) visa and the Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. 

  • New South Australia State Migration Plan (SMP) Sep 9, 2011

    The State Sponsored Migration List (SSML) for South Australia for the program year 2011/2012 has been released today. 
    28 Occupations have been added to the 2010/2011 SSML and some occupations previously on the SSML have been changed to the Off-list criteria. 

Quick Find Info On:

.