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AUSTRALIA ANNOUNCES NEW POINTS TEST AND SOL EFFECTIVE FROM 1 JULY 2011

The Immigration department has released the new Regulations and the new SOL (Skilled Occupation List) comprising 192 high value occupations.  Also,  there will be a new Points Test system on assessing an application and the new pass mark has been set at 65 points. Many occupations have been brought into the list. 

The new SOL to apply from 1 July 2011.    The Skilled Occupation List (SOL) will be effective from 1 July 2011, with 13 occupations to be added to the list and 4 occupations to be removed.  The SOL determines which occupations are eligible for independent or unsponsored skilled migration. The updated SOL is based on expert advice from the independent body, Skills Australia.

The SOL identifies specialised occupations of high value and includes managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations.

The list of occupations reflects the Australian Government’s commitment to a skilled migration program that delivers skills in need in Australia. The SOL will continue to deliver a skilled migration program tightly focused on high value skills that will assist in addressing Australia’s future skills needs.

The migration program is continually reviewed to make sure it is responsive to economic conditions and skills needs. In keeping with this objective, the SOL will continue to be reviewed by Skills Australia on an annual basis, ensuring that it meets the needs of the Australian labour market.

Visa applications that will be affected by the updated SOL:   The updated SOL will apply to all new independent or unsponsored skilled migration applications lodged on or after 1 July 2011 unless they are from applicants eligible for transitional arrangements. Applications with a nominated occupation that is no longer on the SOL in effect from 1 July 2011 will continue to be processed.

Priority processing arrangements may however change for certain applicants according to the Ministerial Direction on priority processing.

The update of the SOL will not apply to applicants eligible for transitional arrangements that is applicants who applied for subclass 485 (Skilled Graduate) visa on or before 8 February 2010 that has not been finally determined or who on 8 February 2010 held a Subclass 485 (Skilled Graduate) visa. These applicants are able to apply for a permanent skilled migration visa on the basis of the SOL in effect on 8 February 2010.

Further transitional arrangements allow anyone who held a qualifying Student visa on 8 February 2010 to apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (Subclass 485) on the basis of the SOL in effect on 8 February 2010. These transitional arrangements are in place until 31 December 2012.

Summary of changes to the SOL:  The following changes have been applied to the SOL (Skilled Occupation List).

Additions:  These occupations will be added to the SOL.

• 234914  Medical Physicist
  251311  Environmental Health Officer
  251312  Occupational Health and Safety Adviser
  251511  Hospital Pharmacists
  251513  Retail Pharmacists
  271111  Barrister
  271311  Solicitor
  323211  Fitter (General)
  323212  Fitter and Turner
  323213  Fitter-Welder
  323214  Metal Machinist (First Class)
  399111  Boat Builder and Repairer
  399112  Shipwright

Removals:  These occupations will be removed from the SOL.

• 251411  Optometrist
  251412  Orthoptist
  324111  Panel Beater
  324311  Vehicle Painter

Occupations on the SOL: The updated SOL comprises 192 high value occupations, as listed below.

• 133111  Construction Project Manager
  133112  Project Builder
  133211  Engineering Manager
  134111  Child Care Centre Manager
  134211  Medical Administrator
  134212  Nursing Clinical Director
  134213  Primary Health Organisation Manager
  134214  Welfare Centre Manager
  221111  Accountant (General)
  221112  Management Accountant
  221113  Taxation Accountant
  221213  External Auditor
  221214  Internal Auditor
  224111  Actuary
  224511  Land Economist
  224512  Valuer
  231212  Ship's Engineer
  231213  Ship's Master
  231214  Ship's Officer
  232111  Architect
  232112  Landscape Architect
  232212  Surveyor
  232213  Cartographer
  232214  Other Spatial Scientist
  232611  Urban and Regional Planner
  233111  Chemical Engineer
  233112  Materials Engineer
  233211  Civil Engineer
  233212  Geotechnical Engineer
  233213  Quantity Surveyor
  233214  Structural Engineer
  233215  Transport Engineer
  233311  Electrical Engineer
  233411  Electronics Engineer
  233511  Industrial Engineer
  233512  Mechanical Engineer
  233513  Production or Plant Engineer
  233611  Mining Engineer (excluding Petroleum)
  233612  Petroleum Engineer
  233911  Aeronautical Engineer
  233912  Agricultural Engineer
  233913  Biomedical Engineer
  233914  Engineering Technologist
  233915  Environmental Engineer
  233916  Naval Architect
  234111  Agricultural Consultant
  234112  Agricultural Scientist
  234113  Forester
  234211  Chemist
  234611  Medical Laboratory Scientist
  234711  Veterinarian
  234914  Physicist (Medical Physicist only)
  241111  Early Childhood (Pre-Primary School) Teacher
  241411  Secondary School Teacher
  241511  Special Needs Teacher
  241512  Teacher of the Hearing Impaired
  241513  Teacher of the Sight Impaired
  241599  Special Education Teachers nec
  251211  Medical Diagnostic Radiographer
  251212  Medical Radiation Therapist
  251213  Nuclear Medicine Technologist
  251214  Sonographer
  251311  Environmental Health Officer
  251312  Occupational Health and Safety Advisor
  251511  Hospital Pharmacist
  251513  Retail Pharmacist
  252111  Chiropractor
  252112  Osteopath
  252311  Dental Specialist
  252312  Dentist
  252411  Occupational Therapist
  252511  Physiotherapist
  252611  Podiatrist
  252711  Audiologist
  252712  Speech Pathologist
  253111  General Medical Practitioner
  253211  Anaesthetist
  253311  Specialist Physician (General Medicine)
  253312  Cardiologist
  253313  Clinical Haematologist
  253314  Medical Oncologist
  253315  Endocrinologist
  253316  Gastroenterologist
  253317  Intensive Care Specialist
  253318  Neurologist
  253321  Paediatrician
  253322  Renal Medicine Specialist
  253323  Rheumatologist
  253324  Thoracic Medicine Specialist
  253399  Specialist Physicians nec
  253411  Psychiatrist
  253511  Surgeon (General)
  253512  Cardiothoracic Surgeon
  253513  Neurosurgeon
  253514  Orthopaedic Surgeon
  253515  Otorhinolaryngologist
  253516  Paediatric Surgeon
  253517  Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon
  253518  Urologist
  253521  Vascular Surgeon
  253911  Dermatologist
  253912  Emergency Medicine Specialist
  253913  Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
  253914  Ophthalmologist
  253915  Pathologist
  253917  Diagnostic and Interventional Radiologist
  253918  Radiation Oncologist
  253999  Medical Practitioners nec
  254111  Midwife
  254411  Nurse Practitioner
  254412  Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
  254413  Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
  254414  Registered Nurse (Community Health)
  254415  Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
  254416  Registered Nurse (Development Disability)
  254417  Registered Nurse (Disability and Rehabilitation)
  254418  Registered Nurse (Medical)
  254421  Registered Nurse (Medical Practice)
  254422  Registered Nurse (Mental Health)
  254423  Registered Nurse (Perioperative)
  254424  Registered Nurse (Surgical)
  254499  Registered Nurse nec
  261111  ICT Business Analyst
  261112  Systems Analyst
  261311  Analyst Programmer
  261312  Developer Programmer
  261313  Software Engineer
  263311  Telecommunications Engineer
  263312  Telecommunications Network Engineer
  271111  Barrister
  271311  Solicitor
  272311  Clinical Psychologist
  272312  Educational Psychologist
  272313  Organisational Psychologist
  272314  Psychotherapist
  272399  Psychologists nec
  272511  Social Worker
  312211  Civil Engineering Draftsperson
  312212  Civil Engineering Technician
  312311  Electrical Engineering Draftsperson
  312312  Electrical Engineering Technician
  313211  Radiocommunications Technician
  313212  Telecommunications Field Engineer
  313213  Telecommunications Network Planner
  313214  Telecommunications Technical Officer or Technologist
  321111  Automotive Electrician
  321211  Motor Mechanic (General)
  321212  Diesel Motor Mechanic
  321213  Motorcycle Mechanic
  321214  Small Engine Mechanic
  322211  Sheetmetal Trades Worker
  322311  Metal Fabricator
  322312  Pressure Welder
  322313  Welder (First Class)
  323111  Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Avionics)
  323112  Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Mechanical)
  323113  Aircraft Maintenance Engineer (Structures)
  323211  Fitter (General)
  323212  Fitter and Turner
  323213  Fitter-Welder
  323214  Metal Machinist (First Class)
  323313  Locksmith
  331111  Bricklayer
  331112  Stonemason
  331211  Carpenter and Joiner
  331212  Carpenter
  331213  Joiner
  332211  Painting Trades Workers
  333111  Glazier
  333211  Fibrous Plasterer
  333212  Solid Plasterer
  333411  Wall and Floor Tiler
  334111  Plumber (General)
  334112  Airconditioning and Mechanical Services Plumber
  334113  Drainer
  334114  Gasfitter
  334115  Roof Plumber
  341111  Electrician (General)
  341112  Electrician (Special Class)
  341113  Lift Mechanic
  342111  Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanic
  342211  Electrical Linesworker
  342212  Technical Cable Jointer
  342313  Electronic Equipment Trades Worker
  342314  Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (General)
  342315  Electronic Instrument Trades Worker (Special Class)
  399111  Boat Builder and Repairer
  399112  Shipwright
  411211  Dental Hygienist
  411212  Dental Prosthetist
  411213  Dental Technician
  411214  Dental Therapist

The new points test is designed to select the best and brilliant skilled migrants who will make the most favorable economic contribution to Australia. The focus to qualify for an applicant has been on the following:

• Better aimed age ranges to obtain maximum points under age

• To obtain good English levels score to gain maximum points to qualify

• More importance is given on the skilled employment

• Higher level qualifications obtained in Australia and overseas

Australian immigration minister Chris Bowen and the Minister for Resources, Energy and Tourism, Martin Ferguson have publicly railed against a proposed amendment by Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison that would make passing the character test for obtaining a visa significantly more difficult.

Mr Morrison's lack of forethought is astounding – he has failed to consider the most basic impacts of such a proposal, Bowen said in a statement. There were almost 4.5 million permanent and temporary visas granted for people to come to Australia in 2009-10 and under his proposed amendment every person with even the most minor conviction would fail the character test, which could result in visa rejection, he added.

In addition, the major impacts of investigating over four million visas annually would cause severe delays to visa processing, including temporary skilled, student and tourist visas, at significant financial cost to government and industry," Bowen said.  Ferguson said the amendment would constitute a severe blow to Australia's tourism and resources industry.

Australia's economy continues to grow. Australia's resources industry including the mining sector is in particular need of skilled workers from abroad. Many Australian firms in a number of industry sectors have an immediate need for skilled overseas workers.

If your occupation is on this list and if you can meet the requirements for your Australian Immigration visa, you could contact us at: neville@bilimoriaassociate.com and we will be happy to assist you in preparing a successful application. 

Please call us or write to us to assess your eligibility.

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