General Skill Migration program change form 1 July 2014 will include the following,
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa maximum age will be reduced from 49 to 44
- The NZ citizens will be introduced with new permanent residence pathways
- A review on the skilled occupation list likely to be considered
- Release of occupational ceilings
- Reopening of State Migration Plans
Let’s look at the changes and find the consequences on the applicants
- Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa maximum age will be reduced from 49 to 44
What is the change?
The general skilled category maximum age is now 49 and the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 will be now reduced to 44.
What does the change mean?
The figures listed by the Department of Immigrations indicate that only 1% of the candidates for the 189 subclass are between 45 to 49 years of age at present thus the overall impact will be small. However, the people between ages of 45 to 49 years will have a significant effect as now the age limit for the permanent employer is reduced to 44.
Immigrationxperts.com analysis
All the people between the ages 45 to 49 will be affected as the employers will now look at the age limit as 44.
- The NZ citizens will be introduced with new permanent residence pathways
An introduction of permanent residence pathway for the NZ citizens that have worked in Australia for more than 5 years will be released.
What is the change?
The pathway will be implemented as a stream with the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 visa. This is particular could significantly make NZ citizen stream and easy method to qualify for the traditional 189 subclass.
What does the change mean?
The change, in particular, means that,
- There would be no skill assessments. English language test, points test or any Skillselect invitation would be required
- There will be no age limit
- There would be concessions on the health requirements
- The initials application fee will be very small
Immigrationxperts.com analysis
60-70,000 New Zealanders are estimated to be eligible for the new stream by the Australian government. Thus they will be very fewer seats available for the candidates in the points tested examinations. Furthermore, affecting the occupational ceilings for skilled immigration and resulting in higher point requirements by an invitation through Skillselect.
- A review on the skilled occupation list likely to be considered
What is the change?
The expectation is that the occupations list for General Skilled Migration – the MLTSSL and STSOL – to be revised for 1 July 2017. Also, the changes to the employer sponsorship announced on 18 April has resulted in restrictions on sponsoring staff for permanent residence no longer term 457 visas, unless it is on MLSSTL.
What does the change mean?
There would be removal of certain occupations from the list including the MLTSSL and STSOL
Immigrationxperts.com analysis
The occupations mostly include engineering sector that is on the MLTSSL list however not on STSOL list that is unusual. There is a quite possibility that these occupations to be candidates for the removal. The Flagged Occupation List that is maintained by the department of education could also see some removal. However, as last year there could be only a few flagged occupation removals. It is also expected that there will be certain occupations removed from STSOL as well. (e.g. Human recourses advisor and a number of science and engineering occupations)
The MLSSTL and STSOL there will be additions as there are critical occupations for the Australian business groups to lobby. This will be a good news for candidates in General Skilled Migration.
- Release of occupational ceilings
What is the change?
A vital part in managing the General Skilled Migration Program is played by the Occupation ceilings. They offer a maximum number of EOI invitations that can be the issue to the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 and Skilled Regional Provisional (Family Sponsored) subclass 489 candidates.
What does the change mean?
In case the occupational ceiling stays the same or is reduced the entire scenario will tend to become more competitive and one may require higher points for an invitation
Immigrationxperts.com analysis
Competitions have majorly increased in the past couple of years for people with popular occupations like accounting, IT and certain engineering specializations. Gaining higher points means tougher competition for the invitations
- Reopening of State Migration Plans
What is the change?
Most of the states have closed their state nomination programs and others have reached the quotas of the popular occupations
What does the change mean?
Queensland, Western Australia and ACT are few of them who have either closed their state nomination programs or have restricted them significantly. While others have reached the quotas for the popular occupations candidates should be ready to lodge the state nomination as soon as it is open
Immigrationxperts.com analysis
Since most of the states have closed or restricted the state nomination programs the interested candidates should be prepared well in advance and should apply as soon as these reopens.
Conclusion by Immigrationxperts.com
The changes that will be revealed are likely to make candidate very difficult to qualify for the General Skilled Migration. Specifically to ones effected with the reduction in age limits.
The competition is only going to increase for Skilled Independent program in the year 2017-18. Immigrationxperts.com advices candidates to give importance and look for alternative options like state nominated or employer sponsors visa.
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