So International Students take note.  The Lecture will review the major changes to the Skilled Visa Program.  With particularly reference to the 189, 190 and 489 visas.

Additionally the discussion will review the sub class 485 visa.

The lecture will be held at the prestigious Law Institute of Victoria and will be delivered by the Principal Solicitor of AR LAW Services Mr Anthony Robinson. BA. LLB. GCLP. LLM, Master Migration Lawyer.

http://www.arlaw.com.au/melbourne-law-firm-ar-law-services/

If you have a dream to call Australia home and are currently studying in Australia this is a lecture you can not afford to miss.

To attend please register either at:

ar.soar@mail.com             or             arlaw@arlaw.com.au

Say I wish to attend the “Pathways” lecture.

Who should attend – International Students, Particularly Recent Graduates and New Zealand Citizens.

http://www.arlaw.com.au/uncategorized/never-been-a-better-time-for-kiwis-to-apply-for-pr/

http://www.arlaw.com.au/news/news-for-recent-graduates-what-you-need-to-know/

So make sure your register  either at:

ar.soar@mail.com       or             arlaw@arlaw.com.au

Say I wish to attend the “Pathways” lecture.   To avoid disappointment – Numbers are strictly limited.

If you can not attend but wish to explore your visa options make an appointment with a Master Migration Lawyer.

Book a Consultation

Call 03 9614 0218 or email info@arlaw.com.au to make an initial 30 Minute consultation at our Melbourne office. (conditions apply)

For more go to     www.arlaw.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/arsoarstudentservices/

https://www.facebook.com/ARLAW.Services/

Note: this update, or any previous updates on this page, do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please call our office to seek professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content on this page

The post Free Lecture – International Students – Pathways to “PR” Permanent Residency. Update on the Skilled Visa Program 189, 190 and 485 visas appeared first on Australian Immigration Lawyers Migration Agents in Melbourne.

For non-pro rata occupations, the minimum score for an invitation for a Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa has dropped from 70 to 65 in the latest round.

The post Some relief for Skill visa applicants – points drop of particular interest to those with pending EOI appeared first on Australian Immigration Lawyers Migration Agents in Melbourne.

This is a summary of some of those changes:

• The maximum age for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa will be reduced from 49 to 44
• A new permanent residence pathway for NZ citizens will be introduced
• The skilled occupations lists are likely to be reviewed
• Occupational ceilings will be released
• State Migration Plans will reopen

Changes to Age Limit for Skilled Independent Subclass 189 Visas

The maximum age for the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa, is NOW 44 from 1 July.

At this stage, none of the following visa types will be affected by the change: – maximum age 49

That is the 190, 489 and new NZ Citizen stream 189 (no age limit)

According to Department of Immigration figures, only around 1% of applicants for the 189 subclass are between 45 and 49 at present. Whilst the overall impact on program numbers is small, for people between 45 and 49 the effect will be significant because the age limit for permanent employer sponsored is also being reduced to 44.

Occupational Ceilings to be Released

Occupational ceilings play a very important part in managing the General Skilled Migration program. They give a maximum number of EOI invitations which can be issued to Skilled Independent Subclass 189 and Skilled Regional Provisional (Family Sponsored) Subclass 489 applicants.

In the last few years, it has become more competitive for people in popular occupations in the accounting, IT and certain engineering specialisations. If the occupational ceilings stay the same or are reduced, we expect it to become even more competitive. This will mean higher points scores may be required for an invitation.

So if you or someone you know would like to find out more about these and other changes to the skilled visa program talk to us.

Call 03 9614 0218 or email info@arlaw.com.au to make an initial 30 Minute consultation at our Melbourne office. (conditions apply)

For more go to www.arlaw.com.au

Note: this update, or any previous updates on this page, do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please call our office to seek professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content on this page

The post GSM – Skill Visa Program Update appeared first on Australian Immigration Lawyers Migration Agents in Melbourne.

The occupational ceilings give a good idea of whether the waiting time or minimum pass mark for an EOI will increase for the new program year. A summary of the Skill Select figures as set out by M.Webber of the changes by Occupational Category is below:

Accountants and Auditors

There is good news for accountants and auditors with a significant increase in the occupational ceiling.

The ceiling for Accountants has increased by 89% to 4,777 places – this was the biggest increase in percentage terms for 2016-17. The ceiling for auditors has increased by 41% to 1,413 places.

Both of these occupations were filled in the 2015-16 program year, and Accountants  As a result, some predict  the minimum score may to reduce for accountants – possibly back to 60 – for at least part of the program year.

IT Professionals

Most of the IT occupations were also filled in the 2015-16 program year, and also faced higher minimum scores for an invitation for most of the year.

The news is somewhat mixed for IT professionals in the 2016-17 program year:

• Computer Network Professionals: ceiling reduced by 28% to 1,426 places. The minimum invitation score for this occupation was 60 for most of the 2015-16 year. We expect this minimum score to increase to above 60 for 2016-17.
• Software and Applications Programmers: ceiling increased by 6% to 5,662 places. The minimum score for this occupation was 65 points for much of the year – we expect this to stay about the same or possibly reduce for 2016-17.
• ICT Business and Systems Analysts: ceiling reduced by 4% to 1,482 places. For this occupation, we saw minimum scores of 65-70 points required for an invitation – we expect this to continue for 2016-17.

Engineers

Engineers will face occupational ceiling reductions for most occupations, but this is unlikely to have any significant impact on engineers applying for skilled migration:

• Engineering Managers: increase of 39% to 1,407 places. As the occupation was only 3% filled in 2015-16, this is unlikely to have any impact
• Civil Engineering Professionals: 27% decrease to 2,174 places. This occupation was only 45% filled in 2015-16, so this is unlikely to have any impact
• Electrical Engineers: 2% increase to 1,254 places. This occupation was only 45% filled in 2015-16, so minimal impact
• Electronics Engineers: no change – remains at 1,000 places
• Industrial, Mechanical and Production Engineers: 14% reduction to 1,539 places. This occupation was filled in 2015-16, so we may see an increase in minimum points score for an invitation
• Mining Engineers: Eliminated from SOL for 2016-17
• Telecommunications Engineering Professionals: No change – 1,000 places
• Other Engineering Professionals: No change – 1,000 places

Medical Practitioners

Most specialisations will remain largely unchanged for the 2016-17 program year. However, the category of Other Medical Practitioners will increase by 32% to 1,315 places. This was by far the most popular category within this occupational group so will ensure that sufficient places will be available for the 2016-17 year.

Other Occupations

Apart from the occupations mentioned above, the following occupational ceilings were increased significantly for 2016-17:

• Airconditioning and Refrigeration Mechanics: 64% increase
• Solicitors: 58% increase
• Psychologists: 26% increase
• Physiotherapists: 22% increase
• Registered Nurses: 18% increase
• Medical Laboratory Scientists: 18% increase
• Chefs: 15% increase
• Plasterers: 15% increase
• Wall and Floor Tilers: 15% increase

The biggest losers in percentage terms were the following occupations:

• Panelbeaters: 12% decrease
• Architects and Landscape Architects: 16% decrease
• Health and Welfare Services Managers: 17% decrease
• Metal Fitters and Machinists: 17% decrease
• Social Workers: 18% decrease

Note that as none of the above occupations were even close to reaching their occupational ceilings in 2015-16, the changes are unlikely to result in any impact on EOI invitations.

Conclusion

The new occupational ceilings are great news for accountants and auditors. Engineers and most occupations are largely unaffected by the new ceilings. The news is less good for IT professionals and they may well face higher minimum points scores to be invited in the 2016-17 program year.

The new ceilings will be effective from 1 July 2016. If you would like advice on applying for skilled migration to Australia or

If you or anyone you know is about to lodge a SKILLED VISA eg sub class 189 or 190  or has had a  visa refused or cancelled please speak to one of the lawyers at our office for thorough advice on your options.

Call   03 9614 0218 or email         info@arlaw.com.au

to arrange a free initial 30 Minute consultation at our Melbourne office.

For more go to www.arlaw.com.au
Note: this update, or any previous updates on this page, do not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please call our office to seek professional advice before acting or relying on any of the content on this page

The post The Occupational Ceilings: effective from 1 July 2016 appeared first on Australian Immigration Lawyers Migration Agents in Melbourne.