New Points Test for General Skilled Migration to Australia (GSM) Announced
Australia has announced a new Points Test for General Skilled Migration (GSM) and we thought you would like to be the first to know! Designed to complement the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) that came into effect on 1 July this year, the Points Test is proposed to take effect from 1 July 2011. It will apply to anyone lodging an application from 1 July 2011. The main features are:
- Distinction between 40/50/60 point occupations abolished, those points removed from test
- Age points, up to 50, adjusted to reflect productive working years rather than youth
- Additional 10 point differential introduced for “Superior English” language ability (IELTS 8)
- Additional points for extended periods of employment in Australia
- Additional points for longer periods of professional experience generally
- Considerable additional points for university graduates, particularly for applicants with PhDs
- Relative advantages of trade and degree qualified occupations have been reversed
- Regional nomination and family sponsorship points reduced
- No indication of difference between independent and sponsored pass marks at this stage
- Pass mark of 65
These changes could signal an early Christmas present for many migrants who were not eligible before and a last chance for people who will not be eligible post July to apply now . To help find out if you are eligible, The Emigration Group is offering a much reduced Visa Assessment & Consultation Fee of just £45 (usually £95) until 20th December 2010. Our new Assessment Form (found here) is much simplified and will only take a few minutes to fill in, so why not complete it today? We guarantee to send you a written report with the result of your assessment within 5 working days.