NewswireTODAY - /newswire/ - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2007/05/14 - Australia will introduce major changes to its General Skilled Migration (GSM) points based visa scheme from 1st September 2007. The changes will place more emphasis on work experience in Australia and a greater proficiency in the English language.

The key changes will be:

The number of General Skilled Migration Visa classes will be reduced from 15 to 9, to make it easier to identify the most appropriate visa for their occupation.

International Students who do not meet the new requirements will be able to apply for an 18month Skilled Graduate visa. The visa will allow them to increase their work experience or English proficiency and to stand a better chance of successfully applying for under the GSM after the visa expires. The Skilled-Graduate visa will be unrestricted in terms work.

Skilled migrant visa applicants previously needed to reach an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) in order to pass. The threshold has now been raised to a score of 6 (competent). Except for trade occupation applicants who will only be required to obtain a score of 5.

Greater importance has been placed on work experience gained in Australia, with Applicants who have 12 months previous skilled work experience in Australia gaining 10 points.

The introduction of a new temporary work visa may result in an influx of people seeking permanent residency in Australia.

The Skilled Recognised Graduate visa, designed for niche market graduates under the age of 30 from recognised universities, will be available from September 2007. Experts have warned that exploitation of the visa could cause a massive flood of migrants. However, the Immigration Department claims that the visa is only open to graduates of in-demand occupations, and these may have only 10 positions available in the entire country.

International students unable to meet the new requirements for a skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate visa. This will allow them to increase their work experience and hone their skills; hopefully to enable them a better chance of coming under the GSM after the visa expires. The Skilled-Graduate visa will be unrestricted in relation to work.

Those making application on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected.

Agency / Source: Immigration2Australia.com

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