Changes to the General Skilled Migration 
DIAC announces new SOL
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans announced a list of occupations for a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) commencing on 1st July, 2010. The SOL has decreased from more than 400 occupations, to only 181 occupations.
The latest SOL is available at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf
In order to apply for General Skilled Migration you must ensure that your occupation is on the new Skilled Occupation List. ie SOL.
If you want to apply under General Skilled Migration and your occupation is not on the new SOL, you will need to look at other australian visa solutions to obtain Australian permanent residency.
The Australian government expect the number of places that are available to independent Skilled Migrants ie GSM, are expected to fall as greater emphasis is put upon the Employer sponsored migration pathway.
However, the realities of the current push by the Australian government toward Employer sponsored migration will mean that some highly skilled potential migrants will no longer have a pathway to Australian migration. If you are fortunate to have an Employer offering a nomination then go to our "Employer Sponsored Visa" page for further information.
State Migration Plans
One alternative pathway will be the development of “State Migration Plans”. These plans have undertaken following a series of consultations and research to identify State Specific occupations which are in demand. The plans will identify skill shortages for each state and territory and will give potential applicants another pathway to seek migration to states were their skills are in need.
New ANZSCO
As of 1st July, 2010 the ANZSCO will replace the ASCO which has not been updated since 1997 and does not represent the Australian labour market. The ANZSCO has been developed by ABS, DEEWR (Skills Australia) and any new applications from the 1st July, 2010 require the ANZSCO nominated occupation.
Watch this space!
New Cap and Cease Powers.
On 26 May, the government introduced The Migration Amendment (Visa Capping) Bill 2010. If this Bill is passed it will allow the Minister to set a maximum number of visas within a visa class or subclass which meet a specific criteria, eg they may identify a specific number of places in one occupation, which can be granted within a program year.
Once the cap is reached, any pending applications can be ceased and it is not subject to merits review.
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Complete our Online Assessment and we will undertake a preliminary assessment to determine your eligibility to meet visa requirements.
Or send an email through our contact page with the word "SOL" in the subject line and we will forward the latest copy of the SOL list.
"Whether you can believe you can do a thing or believe you can't, you are right." Henry Ford.
