I am sure most readers are now taken aback when an article appears written by me; nonetheless, I have been reporting about changes to the Australian Migration Programme. So far, there have been 4 major changes to the Australian migration process from the beginning of 2009 that has given an opportunity for some occupations over the others.
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The changes have been so dramatic that yet another change is announced before getting fully adapted to the already existing new arrangements. With the amounting inquiries, I can see the public is thoroughly confused, and it is no exaggeration to admit the professionals in the fields can find this overwhelming too. In a volatile economic environment, these changes are inevitable and it is part of good governance by being proactive, which boosts people's confidence. Although the constant changes can bring drastic delays to visa issuance, the potential migrants who are highly educated appreciate the Australian Government's directions as it does prepare them for a stable life once they arrive in Australia.
VETASSESS, the skills assessment authority for over 150 occupations, is due to change the skills assessment requirements for the purpose of migration to Australia. The new changes are to take place from January 1 2010. VETASSESS is the body that assesses majority of professionals, associate professionals and certain manager/administrators. VETASSESS assessments are less complex in nature. Just reminding readers that skills assessment is the primary stage in the visa process and one must possess a positive skills assessment from the approved authority for this. If your nominated occupation ought to be assessed by VETASSESS, the basic requirement for a 50 point occupation was a university degree. For an associate level, which is a 40 point occupation, an applicant ought to have a Diploma level qualification.
These qualifications did not even need to tally with the specialist knowledge and skills utilized in the nominated occupation. Simply, if you had a Bachelor of Arts Degree where the core subjects were art related, you are eligible to migrate under the occupation of Chemist, although a Chemist requires a high level of chemistry related specialization. The new assessment criteria changes to one that is realistic. If the nominated occupation is Chemist, the applicant must have a university degree in chemistry or science and at least 12 months of work experience.
The VETASSESS has categorized the occupations into four groups, namely Group A, B, C, and D. Summarizing the changes, all occupations must have a major that is related to the nominated occupation and at least 12 months work experience within the last 5 years, although in some occupations, work experience is accepted in lieu of the major studied. The simple assessment process has become complex in nature and will have an impact on certain types of applications.
The VETASSESS has issued the listing of occupations, together with an explanatory note and a Q&A. Yet there are delicate issues such as work experience and obtaining recognition of certain degree/diploma are bound to rise. Some general degrees have three major subjects giving equal recognition for all. Some applicants have work experience in few places at few different levels and designations. Putting the things into perspective is a new challenge to the applicants as each application needs to be analyzed in depth. In addition, VETASSESS has introduced a validity period of two years for skills assessment.
This gives rise to the question of the validity of the already finalized skills assessments. We have been advised in writing the skills assessments that have positive outcomes have equal recognition as the new skills assessment. However, it is at the discretion of the Department of Immigration to accept the skills assessment or request a new one under the new pathway. I believe this will be assessed by the Department of Immigration on a case-by-case basis.
Better now than never
The golden advice is, better now than never. If your assessment is assessed by VETASSESS, it is recommended to lodge a fully completed application by December 18. In this way, you can rest assured that your skills will be recognized as per the existing regulations. I believe an influx of applications will keep VETASSESS busy for the next few months ahead. There are transition arrangements for the students who are lodging their migration applications in Australia. Although the Department of Immigration has not officially spoken, we anticipate changes to the acceptance of VETASSESS assessment to coincide with the amendments.
The good news is VETASSESS does not require the IELTS results for the skills assessment to proceed, which helps applicants to meet the deadline. All applicants are now required to score a minimum of 6 in each band in the IETLS test with very few qualifying for Consessional English (overall 6). If applicants are applying under the State/ Territory nominated visas, most state governments require the applicants to demonstrate at least 6.5 in each band in awarding the nomination.
Future trend
Year 2009 is the year that has faced a considerable amount of change to migration regulations and policy. As we are all aware, migration programmes are running hand in hand with the economic policy of a country and will continue to do so. Australian General Skilled Migration Programme has shaped into a programme that is skills targeting. In bringing in the changes to the skills assessments, the Australian government expects job readiness at the nominated occupation level.
The prioritization of occupation will occur from time to time or at more frequent intervals. As of today, prioritizing of processing is done by moving occupations into the Critical Skills List (CSL). Its predecessor was the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL), which was considered to be in need of a review, as it did not serve the purpose solving the real skills shortages.
The MODL review is due soon and a Future Skills List (FSL) is proposed, which will cater to the actual skills that are in acute demand. Whatever the proposed lists may be called they will be subject to constant change. Australian economy is expected to come to its full phase in the near future; that will bring back the construction and mining boom creating more demand for Skilled technical and professionals. Today, IT occupations are at a full swing, followed by Engineering and Accounting. |
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