Under previous policy all nurses seeking registration in Australia were required to sit an IELTS or OET English language test and gain minimum level 7 in each of the 4 components in order to meet state/territory registration requirements and the NMBA requirements for skills assessments.  

• They have completed their secondary education requirements in an institution that taught and assessed in English to the requisite level for entry into a Nursing or Midwifery program, AND
• Completed an nursing or midwifery program taught and assessed in English

For assistance in gaining Australian Nursing Registration or making a visa application contact us or call us on 0845 644 5607

More information will be provided is it becomes available.

For more information on state sponsorship or skilled migration call our office on 0845 644 5607 or contact us.

Priority 1 - Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and the RSMS.
Priority 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.
Priority 3 - Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) - Schedule 3 in effect from 1 July 2010.
Priority 4 - All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

Applicants who have an occupation that is listed on the new SOL Schedule 3 will be processed at priority level 3. Level 3 will also apply to applications that are currently sponsored by a family member or an Australian state or territory (but who does not have a nominated occupation on the new state migration plan).

All applicants that do not fall into the above criteria will be processed at priority 4.

The following GSM visas are affected by priority processing:

Skilled - Independent subclass 175
Skilled - Independent subclass 176
Skilled - Regional Sponsored subclass 475
Skilled - Regional Sponsored subclass 487
Skilled - Independent Regional subclass 495
Skilled - Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) subclass 496
Graduate - Skilled subclass 497
Skilled - Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen subclass 861
Skilled - Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen subclass 862
Skilled - Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand Citizen subclass 863
Skilled - Independent Overseas Student subclass 880
Skilled - Australian-sponsored subclass 881
Skilled - Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student subclass 882
Skilled - Independent subclass 885
Skilled - Sponsored subclass 886.

For further information regarding the new processing priorities Click Here

For more information about state sponsorship or applying for a general skilled migration visa call our office on

0845 644 5607 or contact us.

State/territory sponsored visa applications will be afforded the 2nd highest level of DIAC processing priority.

Under new State/Territory Migration Plan (SMP) arrangements it is now likely that the states and territories will have to forecast not only the specific occupations that they want but also the numbers that they want to sponsor each year. This has not been the case in the past when they were only constrained by specific occupations. All SMP will have to be approved by DIAC before implementation.

Under a bill currently before the parliament the Minister for Immigration is seeking the power to “cap and cease” visa applications based on certain “objective characteristics”. This means that, if passed, this legislation will allow the minister to cease specific applications based on such things as occupation! It basically stands to reason that if a visa application has been approved for state/territory sponsorship under a DIAC approved SMP, the likelihood of the application being subject to cap and cease is almost non existent.

When one looks at the above factors the 2 key things that stand out are:

State/territory sponsorship will increase in demand post 1 July 2010

Based on the simple principle of supply and demand the states & territories will become more selective about who they sponsor as the demand outstrips the supply.

The ability to gain state sponsorship, which was almost a given in the past, is now likely to become highly competitive. Aspiring applicants will have to show the states and territories why they should be selected ahead of other candidates in the pool of applicants who hold the same occupation.

What is that likely to mean to you…….? The main things to consider are what you can do to make your application as competitive as possible and put yourself “ahead of the rest”. Here are some things, based on previous sponsorship criteria, that may help:

Do your research - Prove that you have a good understanding of the key factors associated with your state or territory of choice. Be able to demonstrate a good knowledge of such things as job markets, housing costs, living costs, education (if applicable), lifestyle factors, future developments for the region, highlight any family or friends that you have already living in the region and what support they are prepared to offer you.

Contact Prospective Employers - Make contact with prospective employers in your professional field. Get feedback that proves you understand such things as likely demand for your occupation, typical salary scales, registration or licensing requirements (if applicable). It is also useful to demonstrate that you have undertaken the same sort of exercise where you have a spouse/partner who will be working.

Housing Costs - Contact real estate agents and real estate websites and have a good understanding of what you would typically pay for a home and be familiar with prevailing interest rates. Gain an understanding of what sort of rent you would pay in the area that you are considering settling in and how the rental process works in that particular state or territory.

Living Costs - Demonstrate that you are aware of what it is going to cost you to set up a home (ie costs of such things as washing machines, car, refrigerator, microwaves, furniture etc) and where you have gained this information from (ie websites, specific store on line catalogues etc). Show that you have an understanding of what it will cost you to buy your weekly groceries, how much it will cost to purchase your weekly petrol requirements etc.

Education - Contact the state/territory Education Department and have a good understanding of the education system, what schools you have contacted in the preferred settlement area and how the education system operates.

Lifestyle Factors - Have a good knowledge of the key lifestyle factors that you are looking for and where they are available in the area where you wish to settle. This may include such things as being close to good surfing beaches, good areas for camping and hiking, good sailing conditions etc.

Future Developments - Show a good knowledge of any significant developments that may be flagged for the future. This may include such things as major government projects that will increase employment in the region that you wish to settle or that will create future opportunities for your kids etc.

Another positive factor would be to consider settling in a regional area.  As the bigger state capital cities continue to grow and property prices continue to climb, regional living starts to look very attractive. Both DIAC and state/territory governments place a high priority on getting skilled migrants and their families into more regional areas of Australia. Applications from candidates indicating a desire to move into a regional area are likely to be afforded an increased level of consideration. This does not mean you have to think about moving “out bush”, there are plenty of large cities in rural areas of Australia that offer all the same facilities and infrastructure as the major cities without the higher costs and populations to deal with.

In summary if you want to give yourself the best prospect of gaining a state/territory sponsorship you will have to “do your homework” and show how you are “ahead of the pack” in what will become an increasingly competitive arena. Historically the key consideration of the states/territories, aside from specific skills, has been their assessment of the ability of the applicant to assimilate into life in the new state/territory. In that context the significance of the above factors cannot be overstated.

For more information regarding state/territory nomination or skilled migration call us today on 0845 644 5607 or ask us a question.

The key elements advised by DIAC were:

1. They expect that the existing visa application lodgment suspension will be lifted on 1 July 2010.  This will coincide with the enacting of the new SOL.
2. The new SOL has been announced and there will be a few minor changes (read additions) to the list due to the cross correlation between the old ASCO referencing and the newly adopted ANZSCO.
3. Pre 1 July skills assessments reflecting ASCO coding will still be accepted post 1 July for migration purposes.  However the applicant will have to be able to demonstrate an acceptable ANZSCO coding that complies with the updated SOL.
4. The main processing priority will remain with sponsored visas (either employer or state/territory)
5. State migration plans are expected to be announced between July and September as each state program comes on line.   Despite the new SOL, the states/territories will have the latitude to select their own demand occupation lists from the existing ENSOL (this is the same as the old SOL, form 1121i).

It seems apparent that DIAC are committed to a strong skilled migration program.  The government is looking at an ageing population base and knows that a strong skilled migration program is necessary to offset the social and economic impacts that this situation will present in the future.  However the focus is being shifted to a demand rather than a supply driven program.  Given existing global circumstances this shift in program emphasis is hard to argue against.   The new “demand” philosophy is demonstrated by a significant emphasis on some form of sponsorship and it is unlikely that this will change in the foreseeable future.

Australia is about to enter another cycle of national prosperity based on the commodity booms in Western Australia & Queensland.   This will lead to economic expansion nationally and a higher demand for skilled workers.  Australian industry is being put on notice, by DIAC, that their future growth will be based around meeting their skills demand on a more direct basis.   For intending migrants, the process of simply submitting an application and waiting for the visa to materialize some short time later has been significantly tightened and may well disappear completely in the not too distant future.

Want to know more about your best strategy for making a skilled migration application send us a message or call 0845 644 5607

Senator Chris Evans-Senator, just so that you are clear, the new SOL, which we accepted on the recommendations of Skills Australia for the new test, will apply from 1 July.

Senator Chris Evans-Effectively it is a subset of the old or reduced list. There are a couple of changes, but effectively it is a subset. So the points that were allocated before will be allocated on the new list. The point I want to make to you so that we are not misleading you is that a formal review of the points test is occurring. There has been consultation and a discussion paper published about that, so it is part of the overall reform package. A review of the points test itself is occurring. But from 1 July effectively the old points test or the current points test will be replicated against the new SOL. I do not want to mislead you. We are actively considering the way the points test works-whether it is still meeting our needs and whether it requires an overhaul. There is a discussion paper and submissions from industry bodies and all that process is underway.

Mr Speldewinde-The proposal is that we would not be changing weightings. Most of the occupations on the new skilled occupation list were represented, at least at an aggregate level, on the old skilled occupation lists. If something was a 60-point occupation under the old list, we would not be proposing to change that under the new list.

Senator Chris Evans-………and there are a lot of arguments around the appropriateness of the current points allocations. But what is the case is that once people pass the pass mark they are then queued in order of application, and that is one of the things that I think are fundamentally wrong with the system. As I have announced, we are looking at that issue. Fundamentally, if I have 10,000 cooks in front of the doctor, I should be taking those 10,000 cooks before I process the doctor. That is the current system and it has been the system up until now. That is why I brought in the critical skills list. If you asked me whether that was a good way for Australia to do business, I would say absolutely not. So we are about reforming that process that allows us to take the skills we need, and part of that process is the abolition of the MODL and the introduction of the SOL. But part of it is the points test review and our selection methodology. Those, if you like, are the next two stages in the reform process.

This now provides some clarity on the situation regarding the awarding of specific points for occupations on the new SOL and a confirmation that the existing methodology for assigning points for occupation category will remain unchanged.

There is also confirmation that the new SOL will be legislated in time to be brought into force on 1 July 2010.  This would reaffirm that the existing suspension on GSM visa application lodgments will be lifted as at that date.     There is also an inference that any new points test methodology may well not be enacted by 1 July.

The last comments are consistent with the Minister’s desire to have legislation introduced that will effectively allow him to cap and cease visa applications based on “specific characteristics” such as occupation.   This would allow the minister to cap and cease applications made by applicants with specific occupations after the applicants have incurred considerable expense to complete the mandatory skills assessment requirements that are required to lodge a GSM visa application.  The legislation would allow for the applications to be ceased in such a manner as to be deemed as never having been made, the applicant would have their application lodgment fee returned however, no other expenses incurred by the applicant would be reimbursed.   The other significant effect of this process would be to deny appeal rights to applications where, had the application been formally declined, they may normally have existed.  At the moment this amendment has been referred for enquiry by the senate with a response date of 15 June 2010.

With the passing of this bill and the subsequent powers available to the Minister, current applicants with occupations that do not appear on the new SOL would be excused for feeling particularly vulnerable.

For further information or advice regarding your ability to meet the requirments for a GSM visa call our office on 0845 644 5607 between 11.00 am - 8.00 pm Monday to Thursday or 11.00 am to 5.00 pm Friday.

It appears however that DIAC had not considered how to address those who are currently in the process of or have already got their skills assessed under the existing ASCO and are now, due to DIAC suspending lodgment of certain visa application, unable to submit their visa application before the introduction of the new classification on 1 July 2010.

A number of the existing skills assessing authorities have sought DIAC guidance on the matter and the advice seems to be confused with one organization stating that DIAC have indicated that they will honour existing ASCO skills assessments for a period of 1 year after the new ANZSCO comes into effect, while another is advising persons who have a skills assessment but have not lodged an application to seek, via the appeal process, to have their skills assessment realigned to the new classifications.

As can be seen the situation is extremely confused at present and we will post further updates once the matter has been clarified by DIAC and the relevant assessing authorities.

For further advice on skills assessment requirements or assistance in making a skills assessment application contact us or call us on 0845 644 5607

While the list will give some indication to prospective skilled migrants as to whether they will meet the new requirements, it only addresses part of the equation.  The points test is also the subject of review at present and until such time as any changes to the points test methodology have been announced it will not be possible to definitively determine whether a prospective applicant will meet all the new GSM requirements.   We anticipate some further advice regarding any changes to the points test methodology some time in the next 4 weeks or so with a view to changes taking effect from 1 July 2010.

Most of the states have also now suspended their state sponsorship application processing due to the DIAC suspension of offshore skilled migration visa applications.   The states are also working to produce their new state/territory sponsorship plans which should be introduced at some time in the 2^nd half of 2010, no firm implementation dates are yet available from any of the states or territories.

For those readers who do not have an occupation on the new skilled occupation list, all is not lost as yet.   You may have the option to make application for a state/territory sponsored visa at some time in the future as DIAC have indicated that the states & territories will have the option to nominate occupations for sponsorship that don’t appear on the new SOL.

Access Migration will update developments as they occur.   If you would like further information regarding your prospects contact us or call us on 0845 644 5607.

Read new SOL Fact Sheet

View the new SOL

Read DIAC new SOL FAQ’s

The skilled visa program has been increased by 5750 places.   There has been an increase of 9150 places allocated to Employer Sponsored visas with a subsequent reduction of 3600 places in the general skilled migration program.  This reflects the ministers preference to place a higher degree of emphasis on employment sponsorship visas.

This 5750 increase is offset with the equivalent reduction in the number of visas in the family category visas.  The family program includes visas for spouse and parents and the likelihood is that there will be increased waiting times for some family visas to finalise.

The minister made the following amplifying comments:

‘These reforms support the Government’s policy to deliver a more demand-driven skilled migration program that meets the needs of the economy in sectors and regions where there are shortages of skilled workers,’ Senator Evans said.

‘This updated focus will help further assist employers by ensuring they have access to applicants with skills in high demand that cannot be met from domestic sources.

‘Foreign skilled labour is an important driver of economic growth and contributes to increased productivity and labour force levels. It also benefits migrants by ensuring they have a job with a direct match to their skills on arrival in Australia.’

The Government has said for some time the migration intake would reflect the economic climate and it would help ensure employers could gain access to skilled professionals in industries still experiencing skills shortages.

The composition of the migration program will assist in delivering the Government’s reforms designed to address shortages of highly skilled workers, such as healthcare, engineering and mining professionals who have an employer willing to sponsor them.

‘Revising the mix of the skill stream of the migration program is critical to ensuring the reforms are effective,’ Senator Evans said.

This will enable the skilled migration program to respond appropriately to changes in demand for skilled labour as the economy emerges from the global financial crisis.

These measures are part of the Rudd Government’s commitment to strengthening our economy and securing our future.

Read the Ministers full media release