Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers
Student Newsletter
December 2010
  In this Edition:
Happy Holidays!!!

Our office will be closed from 12:00pm Friday 24 December 2010 to 8:30am Tuesday 4 January 2011 for the holidays.

If you have an urgent query during this time, please email amanda@australianmigrations.com and include your full name and the name of the agent handling your file (if applicable) with your query.

We wish you all the best for the festive season.
 
Finishing Summer Semester Soon?

Get a free 15 minute consult with one of our Registered Migration Agents to discuss visa options once you complete your studies. Simply ring our office on 07 3212 2200 during office hours (8:30am to 5:00pm Monday to Friday) to book a consult.    

The Registered Migration Agent will:

  • Review your particular circumstances against the applicable migration legislation and other rules and regulations applicable to your occupation and skills. 
  • Provide - based on the information you provided - an assessment of your eligibility and possible pathway(s) to obtain a visa (s).
  • Identify the steps that you would need to complete in order to be eligible for a visa.
State Migration Plans Explained

All states (except NSW and SA) have released their State Migration Plans (SMP). Here’s a quick guide on the different states:

  • Queensland (QLD)- has a longer 176 list than an 886 list. The 886 list is quite limited with only 7 occupations on the list and applicants requiring a “job or job offer”. Nursing occupations are on the 176 list but require 5 years work experience with 7’s in each IELTS band.
  • Australian Capital Territory (ACT) - has the biggest and most generous SMP list. Interstate graduates must firstly find a full time job independently in their nominated occupation and have worked for at least 9 months before ACT will consider sponsorship. We can advise you if you are eligible for ACT State Sponsorship, just contact us.
  • Victoria (VIC) - Nursing occupations are included on the VIC 886 list. Victoria does not specify whether a job/job offer is required for state sponsorship for nurses. Life scientists (NEC) who have a job offer are also on the 886 list.
  • Western Australia (WA)- has the same list for 176 & 886 applicants. It is quite a generous list and we refer all our clients to look at it. Chefs are on the lists however please note that even though cooks are on the list their application quota is listed as “not available”.
  • Tasmania (TAS)- will not consider interstate 485 visa holders or international students for 886 state sponsorship.
  • Northern Territory (NT) - has a very generous joint list for both 176 & 886. Most occupations on the NT list require at least 3 years post-qualification experience except those who are actually living and working in the NT may be exempt from this requirement. There are some occupations on the NT list that are not on the new SOL – e.g.) Hotel Manager, Baker, Pastry Cook, Hairdresser and Welfare Workers.

Would you like to know if you qualify for State Sponsorship? Contact us today to chat to one of our Registered Migration Agents.
 

ACS Skills Assessment Review

From the 1 July 2010, ICT graduates must obtain an ACS Assessment Review as either one of the following 5 occupations – ICT Business Analyst, Systems Analyst, Analyst Programmer, Developer Programmer or Software Engineer.

We have been trying to get a definitive answer from DIAC during the past 6 months as how best to assist our existing ICT recent graduates/computing professionals NEC ASCO 2231-79 client whose GSM applications were lodged with DIAC before 1 July 2010. Basically we want to know if they could obtain a new skills assessment to go from Group 4 processing to Group 3.

We received a written response from DIAC on 20 December 2010 confirming the legal meaning of the Department’s news release. We can now with legal certainty advise our affected clients who lodged GSM visa applications on the basis of a skills assessment by ACS with the ASCO occupation of Computing Professional NEC prior to 1 July 2010 that they will be able to submit a further and subsequent ANZSCO skills reassessment to DIAC without facing visa refusal.

Still confused? Contact us for more information and help.

IELTS Test Dates 

People sitting an IELTS test in Australia can now access test centres without delay as additional places have been created and new facilities have opened across Australia. These additional places ensure people seeking an IELTS test can book a place for the next test date, click here to search test dates.

The Cultural Side of Brisbane 

Live is Brisbane City Council’s guide to arts and cultural events and activities in Brisbane, including music, festivals, workshops, forums and community projects. You can get a copy of Live sent to your home address by calling (07) 3403 8888 or visiting www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

Season's Greetings 

From all the staff at Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers, we wish you a very safe and happy holiday season and look forward to providing all your migration advice in the New Year.