Lamont Migration Agency » News

Net Overseas Migration

Nora Lamont — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 23:18:13 +0000

Net overseas migration (NOM)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics has released its Migration Statistics for 2008-2009

Over the past three years, NOM has more than doubled from 146,800 persons in 2005-06 to a preliminary NOM estimate of 298,900 persons in 2008-09, the highest on record for a financial year. The increase is partially due to a change in methodology introduced after 30 June 2006. However, the main driver during this period has been the substantial growth in temporary visa arrivals to Australia’s shores.

Temporary migration has become increasingly important with more international students, business entrants, working holiday makers and other long-term visitors staying in Australia for periods up to four years or more.

Australia’s total population growth rate for 2008-09 was 2.1% with NOM contributing 1.4% to this growth. During 2008-09, NOM contributed the greatest number of people to the most populous states: New South Wales with a net of 89,500 persons, followed by Victoria (81,200) and Queensland (58,000). The Northern Territory had the lowest with a net gain of 1,900 persons.

Population turnover due to overseas migration (gross overseas flows in relation to size of the population) was the highest in Western Australia in 2008-09 at 4.4%.

In 2008-09, persons aged 15-34 years comprised 67% of NOM compared to 28% of Australia’s total population. Persons aged 0-14 years comprised 16% of NOM and 19% of Australia’s population, and persons aged 65 years and over comprised just 0.3% of NOM but 13% of Australia’s population.

An individual’s actual true travel behaviour and associated characteristics are only available from final NOM data. Final NOM data can only be accurately recorded at the end of a 16 month reference period following a traveller’s initial border crossing. Based on final NOM data from 2007-08 (a net of 277,300 persons), temporary visa holders contributed by far the most to NOM with 67% (a net of 186,500 persons) of the total NOM figure for the year. At a distant second were permanent arrivals at 31% (a net of 86,400). New Zealand citizens contributed 13% (a net of 36,100) to NOM, whereas Australian citizens, with a negative input to NOM figures, contributed -7% (a negative net of -20,300) to NOM in 2007-08.Traditionally, Australian citizens have a net negative input to NOM figures as more Australians depart from the country each year than return.

In 2007-08, international students made up the largest group of temporary visa holders contributing to NOM, resulting in a net of 108,700 students, or 39% of NOM for the year. Within this group of students, those travelling on higher education visas were the largest group contributing to NOM with 57,500 students representing 21% of the total NOM figure. The vocational education and training sector represented 10% (27,400 students) whereas all other student visas accounted for 9% (23,900 students) of the total NOM figure for 2007-08.

Of the countries of birth contributing to self reported temporary NOM arrivals in 2007-08, India added the most to the population with 43,100 persons arriving, followed by China (37,900 persons), the United Kingdom (28,200 persons) and New Zealand (23,600 persons).

Updated Priority Processing Arrangements for Skilled Migration Visas – Effective from 14 July 2010

Nora Lamont — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 04:14:39 +0000

There are new priority processing arrangements for certain skilled migration visas. These arrangements take account of the changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) that came into effect on 1 July 2010, as well as the revocation of the Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) and the Critical Skills List (CSL). These priority processing arrangements apply to applications already lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, as well as to future applications.

The new priority processing arrangements apply to the following visas:

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)

• General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas listed on page two of this fact sheet.

From 14 July 2010, processing priorities (with highest priority listed first) are:

1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and the RSMS.

2. Applications from people who are nominated by a state or territory government agency with a nominated occupation that is specified on that state or territory’s state migration plan.

3. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) – Schedule 3 in effect from 1 July 2010.

See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf

4. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

Priority processing refers to the order in which the department considers skilled migration applications. Section 51 of the Migration Act 1958 gives the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship powers to consider and finalise visa applications in an order of priority that the Minister considers appropriate. The changes to priority processing do not change the criteria for the grant of a visa.

The new Direction simplifies priority processing arrangements. The new arrangements have been designed to complement other recent changes to skilled migration to ensure that the economy gets the skills it needs now. They help to better address the needs of industry by targeting skills in demand across a number of sectors, and help ensure that the skilled migration program is responsive to the current economic climate and the needs of the Australian economy. Priority processing arrangements are subject to further change in response to the economic climate and the demand for particular skills in the Australian economy.

TRA Job Ready Program Fees Update

Nora Lamont — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:26:48 +0000

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) has advised the following new fee schedule for the Job Ready Program:
• Step 1 – Provisional Skills Assessment $300
• Step 2 – Job Ready Employment $500
- Additional Training $1200 (Estimated cost for the Workplace Culture and Workplace English modules provided by TRA approved RTOs)
• Step 3 – Job Ready Workplace Assessment $2000
• Step 4 – Job Ready Final Assessment $150
The new list comprises 181 occupations. The old SOL had 408.
The new SOL is based on ANZSCO (Australian & New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) and not ANSCO (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations).
Some of the occupations which are no longer on the SOL include: Cook, chef, Hairdresser, Pharmacist, Graphic Designer.
Some of the retained occupations include: Accountant, Architect, Engineers, medical professionals, Motor Mechanic, and many building trades.
As previously announced, the new SOL does not apply to GSM applicants who, on 8 February 2010:
• Held a Subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa or had a pending subclass 485 visa application; and who
• Apply for a permanent or provisional onshore GSM visa by 31 December 2012; or at the date of the announcement had a pending GSM visa application.
Transitional arrangements will apply to international students who, on 8 February 2010:
• Held a subclass 572 (vocational education and training sector), subclass 573 (higher education sector); or
• Held a subclass 574 (postgraduate research sector) student visa.
These students can apply for a subclass 485 (skilled graduate) visa using the current SOL as long as they lodge their subclass 485 application by 31 December 2012.
As the new SOL is based on ANZSCO, the names of occupations and tasks associated with occupations need to be carefully checked.

New List of Skilled Occupations Intended to Replace the Current Skilled Occupation List

Nora Lamont — Wed, 26 May 2010 23:58:31 +0000

It is intended that this list of occupations will form the new Skilled Occupation List, proposed to come into effect from 1 July 2010. The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship will be recommending that the Governor-General in Council make amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the framework in which this new list would be applied. ANZSCO Code Corresponding occupation
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
232211 Cartographer
232212 Surveyor
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
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
251411 Optometrist
251412 Orthoptist
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
253312 Cardiologist
253313 Clinical haematologist
253314 Clinical oncologist
253315 Endocrinologist
253316 Gastroenterologist
253317 Intensive care specialist
253318 Neurologist
253321 Paediatrician
253322 Renal medicine specialist
253323 Rheumatologist
253324 Thoracic medicine specialist
253399 Internal medicine specialist 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
253916 Radiologist
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
261111 ICT business analyst
261112 Systems analyst
261311 Analyst programmer
261312 Developer programmer
261313 Software engineer
263311 Telecommunications engineer
263312 Telecommunications network engineer
272311 Clinical psychologist
272312 Educational psychologist
272313 Organisational psychologist
272314 Psychotherapist
272399 Psychologists nec
272511 Social worker
312211 Civil engineer draftsperson
312212 Civil engineer technician
312311 Electrical engineer draftperson
312312 Electrical engineer 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)
323313 Locksmith
324111 Panelbeater
324311 Vehicle painter
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)
411211 Dental Hygienist
411212 Dental Prosthetist
411213 Dental technician
411214 Dental therapist

Lamont Migration Relocating to New Office

Nora Lamont — Sat, 08 May 2010 00:56:14 +0000

As of Friday May 14 2010 Lamont Migration will relocate to their new office:

Suite 1, 42B Wantirna Road
Ringwood Victoria 3134
Australia

Please note the new Phone and Fax Number

Phone: 9879 3515
Fax: 9879 3516
nora@lamontmigration.com.au

www.lamontmigration.com.au
www.lamontmigration.com

Temporary Suspension of offshore Skilled Migration

Nora Lamont — Fri, 07 May 2010 06:43:49 +0000

The Minister for Immigration announced May 8 2010 a temporary suspension of certain general skilled migration visas. The move hopes to ensure that all offshore general skilled applications made after today are in accordance with the occupations included on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), to be released later this month. The Minister has not indicated when the suspension will be lifted, however it will be no earlier than the announcement of the new SOL.
The Minister has announced that his Department will not accept applications for the following visa subclasses from 8 May 2010 until further notice:
· Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent;
· Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored; and
· Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.
Therefore, any applications received by the Department after 8 May 2010 for one of the above visa subclasses will be returned and the visa application charge refunded.

Changes to Skills Assessment for Accountants, Finance Managers, Corporate Treasurers and External Auditors

Nora Lamont — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 03:52:00 +0000

CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) have announced that, from 1 July 2010, the skills assessment criteria for General Skills Migration will be as follows:· A formal qualification assessed as being at least comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree; · Completion of at least nine out of the 12 core knowledge areas at tertiary level (each nominated occupation has four mandatory core knowledge areas); · International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic test result of a score of at least seven (7) on each of the four components (speaking, reading, listening and writing). The website for each these assessing authorities has a table of the core knowledge areas and the compulsory (mandatory) and optional areas.

Onshore International Students Changes

Nora Lamont — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:47:56 +0000

Q 1 Is my application for a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa affected by the changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) announced by the government?
No. If you lodge your application for a subclass 485 visa before the new SOL commences in mid-2010 your application will not be affected. Your application will be processed under the arrangements and legislation in place at the time you applied.

Yes. If you apply for a subclass 485 visa after the new SOL commences in mid-2010 and you were not holding a student visa subclass 572, 573 or 574 on 8 February 2010, your application will be subject to the new SOL.

Q 2 I applied for a subclass 485 visa before 8 February 2010. When it is granted, can I apply for a permanent General Skilled Migration visa? Yes you can apply for a permanent General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa and nominate an occupation which is on the SOL at 8 February 2010.You will not be subject to the new SOL provided you apply for a permanent GSM visa prior to 31 December 2012.

Q 3 I applied for subclass 485 visa on or after 8 February 2010. When it is granted, can I apply for a permanent General Skilled Migration Visa.

Yes. If, however, you apply for a permanent GSM visa after mid-2010 you will need to nominate an occupation that is included on the new Skills Occupation List (SOL). If your nominated occupation is not on the SOL then you may wish to seek sponsorship from an employer and apply under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) visa categories.

Q 4 When will I know if my occupation is on the new SOL?

The new SOL will be announced by 30 April 2010 and
will take effect in mid-2010.

Q 5 Do I have to leave Australia when my subclass 485 visa expires?
Yes, unless you hold another visa to remain in Australia. Information about all visas is available on the department’s website at www.immi.gov.au.You may wish
to use the Visa Wizard to determine which visa meets your specific circumstances enabling you to extend your stay in Australia. The Visa Wizard is available at
www.immi.gov.au/visawizard/

Q 6 Can I get a new skill assessment in a different occupation from the occupation I nominated in my subclass 485 visa so I can lodge my permanent GSM
application?

Yes. You can nominate a different occupation in your permanent GSM application from your subclass 485 visa. You must also ensure that you meet all other
requirements for the visa class for which you made an application. It is important to note that your qualifications obtained in Australia must be closely related to your new nominated occupation and you obtain a skills assessment in your new nominated occupation.

Q 7 When applying for a permanent GSM visa, can I change the nominated occupation stated on my current subclass 485 visa as this occupation is not on
the new SOL?

Yes, however, your qualifications obtained in Australia must be closely related to your new nominated occupation.

Q 8 I’ve just started studying in Australia, will I still be able to apply for a GSM visa when I finish my studies?

You will be able to lodge a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa application when you complete your studies if your nominated occupation is on the SOL that existed
before mid-2010, provided you satisfy other visa criteria and you hold a:
• Vocational Education and Training Sector (subclass 572) visa
• Higher Education Sector (subclass 573) visa, or
• Postgraduate Research Sector (subclass 574) visa,
and
• apply before 31 December 2012.
If you wish to apply for a permanent or provisional GSM visa after you complete your studies you must meet the criteria applicable at the time you apply. Requirements for particular visa classes change from time to time and
it is important that you ensure you meet all criteria before you lodge your application.

Q 9 After completing my studies in Australia, can I go offshore and get work experience and then apply for an offshore GSM visa?

Yes, if your nominated occupation is on the new SOL you can apply for an offshore GSM visa; however, you will need to satisfy all other criteria to be granted a GSM visa. All applicants are encouraged to carefully consider
whether or not they meet the criteria for a visa prior to making an application.

Q 10 Can I change my course of study as the occupation I intended to nominate is not on the new SOL?

Students are encouraged to undertake study in a field they intend to work in once they graduate. It is strongly advised that you do not undertake studies with the sole purpose of obtaining a migration outcome. The student visa process is an entirely separate process to skilled migration and there is no guarantee that a student will be eligible for skilled migration purely on the basis of having undertaken a course related to an occupation on the SOL. The SOL can, and does, change in light of labour market needs in Australia. There is no guarantee,
therefore, that if a student switches courses now, their new nominated occupation will remain on the SOL at the time they complete their studies.

Students who wish to change their course of study before they have completed six months of study of their principal course may need to obtain a letter of release
from their education provider. Students are therefore advised to discuss any plans to transfer courses with their education provider in the first instance.

Q 11 I was planning to study in Australia, what do these changes mean for me?

The changes to the GSM program announced by the Australian Government do not affect the requirements a student must meet to study in Australia.
On completion of your study in Australia you may wish to apply for a visa to enable you to remain in Australia and work. This is an entirely separate process from your student visa arrangements. If you wish to remain in Australia after you complete your studies you will need to be granted another visa. Please be aware that you must satisfy the criteria for this latter visa that exists when you make your application.

Q 12 I applied for an onshore GSM visa prior to 1 September 2007. Will my application be subject to the capping and ceasing arrangements announced by the
minister on 8 February 2010?

No. If you lodged an application for a GSM visa prior to 1 September 2007 your current application will not be affected. Your application will be processed under the arrangements and legislation in place at the time you applied, however, it will still be subject to the current priority processing arrangements.

Changes to the General Skilled Migration Program

Nora Lamont — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:31:07 +0000

Removal of the MODL
On 8 February 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the outcomes of a review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL).
The review found that the existing MODL needed to be revoked and replaced by a more targeted skilled occupations list to better meet the demands of Australia’s labour market.
The revocation of the current MODL will not affect those who at the date of announcement:
• hold a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa, or have a pending subclass 485 visa application and are yet to apply for a permanent or provisional General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa, or
• have a pending GSM visa application.
New Skilled Occupation List from mid-2010
On 8 February 2010, the minister also announced the replacement of the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) in the second half of 2010, with a new list of targeted occupations determined by the independent body, ‘Skills Australia’. As the new SOL will be a comprehensive, targeted list, the current Critical Skills List will be revoked.
The new SOL will come into effect from mid-2010 and will apply to all applicants lodging visa applications made on or after this date, except to GSM applicants who at the date of announcement ( 8 February 2010):
• hold a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa, or had a pending subclass 485 visa application and had not yet lodged an application for a provisional or permanent GSM visa and who make an application by 31 December 2012, or
• have a pending GSM visa application.
In addition, the new SOL will not apply to people applying for a Skilled—Graduate (subclass 485) visa who at 8 February 2010 hold a:
• Vocational Education and Training Sector (subclass 572) visa
• Higher Education Sector (subclass 573) visa
• Postgraduate Research Sector (subclass 574) visa.
However these student visa holders will be required to have an occupation on the new SOL to apply for a permanent GSM visa.

GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007
Under section 39 of the Migration Act 1958, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has the power to set a maximum number of visas of a class that may be granted in a particular financial year.

On 8 February 2010, the minister announced he would set a maximum number of offshore GSM visa applications made before 1 September 2007 that could be granted. Once this number is reached, any applications awaiting a decision will not be considered and the application returned to the applicant or their authorised recipient. These applications will be taken not to have been made.
Refunds of the visa application charge (VAC) will be made to the payer of these charges for affected visa applicants.

Major shake up to Skilled Migration coming

Nora Lamont — Fri, 05 Feb 2010 22:19:44 +0000

This article appeared in the Age newspaper this morning.

Skilled migration shake-up
YUKO NARUSHIMA
February 6, 2010
THE federal government is set to overhaul Australia’s skilled migration program, but industry bodies fear it will throw the flagging international education sector into further disarray.
The changes, due to be announced by Immigration Minister Chris Evans on Monday, will include amendments to the ”migration occupations in demand” list, which sets out areas where skilled workers are needed and awards ”points” to migrants applying to work in these areas.
The changes, which are aimed at meeting the country’s long-term skill needs, are being heralded as ”significant policy reforms” by Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe.
Senator Evans will detail the changes in a speech to industry and union representatives, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AiGroup, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.
The government is also expected to reconsider January 1 changes to the temporary ”457” category of visa, which businesses have criticised for impeding the ability of Australian employers to recruit desperately needed workers from overseas.
In private discussions, immigration officials have said the government would support changes that place a greater focus on employer-sponsored visas, and give state governments power to import workers under state sponsorship visas.
Though points migrants earn for working jobs on the demand list are small, they can tip the balance between being eligible to live in Australia and not being admitted. An industry source said skilled migrants under 30 most frequently used the points system.
The changes are expected to break the link between permanent residency and trade occupations, such as hairdressing and cookery, currently on the demand list and attractive to overseas students wishing to stay on in Australia.
”It’s a very sensitive area,” the industry source said. ”The problem is, we can’t compel students to work in the job for which they train.”
The implications for Australia’s $17 billion education sector are significant.
The changes could dash the permanent residency hopes of foreign students enrolled in a sector already battling college foreclosures and bad publicity for attacks on Indian students.
”In the short term, registered training organisations could face closure and bigger providers like TAFE could take a big financial hit,” the source said.
The Skilled Migration Consultative Panel was due to complete its review of the migration occupations in demand list in late 2009. It last met on January 21 to discuss imminent changes.
At the meeting, immigration officials told interest groups the current points test for migrants would be revised as it was inefficient in responding to employers’ immediate skills needs.
The changes are expected to take effect from midnight the day of the announcement, with industry warned of a surge in applications from people wishing to take advantage of the current system before it changes.
The chief executive of the Australian Council of Private Education and Training, Andrew Smith, said he hoped the review factored in the value of the education sector to the economy and looked after students.
”We’d be concerned to ensure that changes have appropriate transition arrangements so students have certainty and disruptions to this vital sector are minimised,” Mr Smith said.