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IRISH BASED AUSTRALIAN REGISTERED MIGRATION AGENT

Are you thinking of moving to Australia? Whether it is something you just started thinking about or perhaps have been considering for a while, get in contact today and have a free consultation about your Australia visa options today.

IRISH OFFICE: (01) 442 8643 or 0868337107

This is an obligation free service and you have the benefit of speaking with an experienced and friendly Australian migration agent about your case and in confidence.

Looking forward to speaking with you today….

The pickup in Australian business conditions is helping companies realize better earnings and to hire more workers, indicating that Australian economy is maintaining good momentum . . . → Read More: Jobs Australia Advertisements Rise

On 1 July 2010, the Australian skilled migration visa programme underwent a major change when the new skilled occupations list came into effect.  This list now comprises of 181 skilled occupations unlike its predecessor which contained approximately 400.  The Australian government has become very selective of the type of skilled migrant that will live and work in Australia in the future.

Given the high reduction of occupations, many people under the age of 45 who considered apply for a skilled visa to Australia will no longer have an option to do so under the independent skilled migration visa programme.

For those people who can nominate an occupation of the new list, the process has become more complicated as the Australian government has switched over the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) system in relation to occupations.

Previously its occupations were classified under the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) system.  There will be a difficult transitional period for those people who obtained pre-application skill assessments in May and June 2010 and were issued outcome letters under the old ASCO system.  For some it will mean having to redo the skill assessment process or if the skill assessing bodies have made transitional arrangements reverting back to them to see what is required before lodging an actual visa application.

It is imperative that someone in this situation check what their status is before proceeding to avoid lodging a visa application based on a invalid skill assessment.  If you are someone in the is situation and need migration advice, get in contact to receive some free advice from a registered migration agent to keep you on track.

Earlier changes to the Australian Skilled Visa System

On 8 February 2010 the Australian government introduced major changes to the Australian skilled migration visa programme.  These changes will affected the ability of thousands of people wanting to emigrate to Australia.  For some it improved their chances but for many the opposite was true.

20,000 people who lodged skilled visa applications before September 2007 are expected to have their applications denied and their visa application fees refunded.  This will apparently cost the Australian taxpayer AUD14 million.

For anyone overseas  thinking of applying to emigrate to Australia, the changes which could affect their chances of applying include:-

1. Revocation of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (PDF) - As of 8 February 2010, the MODL no longer exists so gone are the 15 bonus points.

2. Abolition of the Critical Skills List (PDF) - The CSL is still alive and kicking but will be revoked in mid 2010.  If an applicant currently has an occupation on the CSL it will be subject to priority processing.

3. The introduction of a new Skilled Occupations List (PDF) in mid 2010 - Perhaps the most significant overhaul of them all, a new SOL is going to be introduced in mid 2010 along with a new CSL.  The new list will favour highly skilled migrants including nurses, medical professionals, professional engineers and teachers instead of hairdressers and cooks.

Australian employers are said to be supportive of the changes seeing them as affecting a better connection between Australian residency and satisfying Australian skills shortage which is critical.

4. Changes to priority processing (PDF) - A second level of priority processing has been introduced which enables applicants who have been nominated under a state migration plan agreed to by the Minister.  the plan will allows states to broaden their ability to migrant head hunt to address their state’s particulars skilled labour needs.

5. A review of the points test (PDF) - February and March 2010 will see the points test go under review.  At the moment, the government views the current points test table as out of date and out of touch with Australia’s need to highly skilled migrants.  One example was given of how a hairdresser, under 30, with 1 year’s work experience was eligible to apply for a Skilled Independent visa while a Harvard degree holding Environment scientist of the same age with 3 years of experience would not be eligible for the same skilled visa category to Australia.

The changes also mark the new prerogative of the Federal government to work closely with the state and territory governments identify that certain candidates for the skilled migration programme must be prioritised.  It is the opinion of Senator Evans the current Minister for Immigration that certain elements of the skilled migration scheme as it existed were “rusty”.

While the SOL, points test and CSL remain unchanged until mid 2010 anyone eligible under the current skilled visa requirements should get cracking with their visa applications.

Any potential applicants were relying on the bonus 15 points from having an occupation on the MODL need to stop and review their eligibility to apply.  If the 15 points helped you reach the pass mark for the skilled visa this you need to check that you still have the passmark before proceeding further.

For the overview of changes by the Department of Immigration, click here (PDF).

The majority of General Skilled Migration visas for Australia require the applicant to obtain a formal assessment which verifies that their skills are suitable for migration to Australia in a skilled occupation.  This is known as a “pre-application skills assessment”. (PASA)

For an applicant to make a valid application for an Australian visa, he or she must nominate a skilled occupation and provide a suitable skills assessment in the nominated occupation.

The latest Skilled Occupation List is available at http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf

There are a range of skill assessing authorities which are nominated to carry the pre-application skill assessment.  Common authorities would be TRA or VETASSESS.

The criteria for skills assessment is left up to the assessing authority to determine which can vary extensively but generally based on the applicant’s qualifications and work experience usually verified by work references.

• An Australian visa applicant with minimum English will be given 15 points on the English requirement, and those who have “proficient English” will be awarded 25 points.
• Secondary visa applicants are not required to meet the English threshold requirements but if they do not have functional English they may be required to pay a second instalment visa application charge before they are granted the Australian visa.
• Visa applicants will need to provide evidence of their English ability. There 2 approved tests for migration purposes, the Occupation English Test (OET) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• IELTS is the most common and preferred English language test. It is a test conducted on a worldwide basis by the British Council. The test has 4 components, reading, writing, listening and speaking.
• For Proficient english, an applicant must achieve a score of 7.0 in each of the 4 components.
• For Competent english, an applicant must achieve a score of 6.0 in each of the 4 components.
• For Concessional Competent english, an applicant must achieve a score of 5.5 in each of the 4 components.
• For Vocational english, an applicant must achieve a score of 5.0 in each of the 4 components.
• For Functional english, an application must achive an average band score of 4.5 for the 4 components.
• If a visa applicant holds a passport for UK/Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, New Zealand, USA or Canada, they will be deemed as having competent English language without the need to provide an IELTS test result.
• All other nationalities will be required to provide evidence of English language ability.

Further information on the health requirements and the relevant forms can be found at http://www.immi.gov.au/allforms/health-requirements/index.htm

Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with the medical examinations.
Visa Applicants outside of Australia must arrange their medical examinations with a panel doctor and/or radiologist approved by the Australian government. A list of panel doctors is available at http://www.imm.gov.au/contact/panel-doctors

The panel doctor is required to send all medical results directly to the Local Clearance Unit in Australia and not return them to the applicants.

Panel Doctors in Ireland

Medical Clinic
Belvedere Surgery
Ardfallen Mall
Douglas Road, Cork
Telephone: +353 21 4294 777
Doctor(s):
Dr D O’Connell
Dr Margaret Ryan

Radiology Clinic
Euromedic Cork
Eglinton Street, Cork
Telephone: +353 21 431 9

Medical and Radiology Clinic
Health Check
Level 5, Mater Private Hospital
Eccles Street
Dublin 7
Telephone: +353 1 8858 850

On 8 February 2010 the Australian government revoked the MODL, it no longer exists within the Australian general skilled migration programme.
Anyone who was planning to rely on the 15 points for having a MODL occupation should review their Australia visa eligibility before proceeding with any type of skilled visa application.

Call (01) 442 8643 or send an email for more information.

As of 8 February 2010, the Critical Skills List (CSL) is under review and is likely to be revoked around mid 2010.

If an Australia visa applicant has nominated an occupation on the CSL in their application it will be subject to priority processing. The CSL issued by the Australian immigration has a significant influence on the current skilled migration programme to Australia.

The CSL consists of a range of skilled occupations Australian immigration have deemed as being in shortage that the current Australian labour market can not supply.

To download a pdf of the latest CSL please go to the Department of Immigration and Citizenship.

A promise of more exciting employment and the ultimate work-life balance is being offered by the South Australian government to people aged between 18 and 30 years.

The job offers include a shark personality profiler at Port Lincoln and a Fairy Penguin home rebuilder on Kangaroo Island. Interested workers need to turn up in South Australia on a working holiday visa to be in with a chance of landing such jobs as a ‘Jackaroo’ or ‘Jillaroo’.

“Life seems to be dealing workers a rough hand at the moment. Not even the recent sunny weather has managed to cheer up the Brits,” said South Australia’s London-based agent general Bill Muirhead.

“This isn’t about one job that everyone has to compete for, but rather about showing people that South Australia offers more exciting work and travel options than anywhere else in the world”, he added.

“This is the first time these jobs have collectively been released and with no previous experience necessary, we’re offering people a genuine chance to get away from it all.”

He cited a study commissioned by the South Australian government of 2,000 Britons which found that 60 per cent of them were bored with their jobs.

“Go for something that you can’t get anywhere else in the world and have an experience you’ll be dining out on for years, the sort of experience you’ll be telling your grand-kids about.” he enthused, “We’re offering people a genuine chance to get away from it all.”

All the original members are taking part in a national Australian tour starting in October, 30 years after hitting 100 million-plus record sales worldwide.

The Village People is one the world’s most iconic acts who brought legendary pop tunes YMCA, In the Navy, Macho Man, Go West and Can’t Stop the Music to life.

The group is the latest awardees of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and made it into the Guinness World Records in 2008 when more than 40,000 fans did ”YMCA” moves while they performed the song at the Sun Bowl. Will they break that record in Australia?

In the past few years, Village People have performed a full schedule of fairs, festivals, universities, public concerts and casinos throughout the United States as well as Canada, Brazil, France, South Africa, Finland, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Romania and Poland. They have made appearances on major television shows and were recently seen in a new American Express TV commercial with Ellen Degeneres and Beyonce.