Critical skills list and visa processing changes introduced

I work in IT and was thinking of migrating to OZ in the next 5 years. I’m worried now that that maybe a long time and the jobs may not be that much in demand then… I’m going to OZ on holiday for the first time later this year… I’m wondering if I should start applying for jobs whilst I’m out there?

Hi Richard

As Mike has noted in his article above, IT occupations are still on the Critical Skills List. Even if they weren’t, if you were to obtain state sponsorship as an IT professional, your application would not be affected by the current cuts.

Another thing to think about is that the Oz Govt is highly spin-doctored and there are rumours that a general election will be called within the next 12 months. It’s more of a vote-winner in a recessionary climate to be seen to protect domestic jobs, than to be seen to expand the economy by introducing new skilled works.

While we can’t predict the state of the employment market in 5 years, you should be aware that before you can apply for an IT job in Oz, under current legislation, you will need to have your skills assessed by the Australian Computer Society.

Upon obtaining a positive skills assessment, you can then apply for the relevant visa to enable you to work in a permanent job Australia (I’m assuming you’re not talking about a working holiday type visa above).

Without a positive skills assessment, you won’t be eligible to apply for a visa. You can check your eligiblity by referring to the current guidelines at: https://www.acs.org.au/assessment/docs/PIMGuidelines23February2009.pdf

Hope the above is helpful.

Sincerely
Susan Wareham

I have already lodged a GSM visa application under accountant category(MODL Only) last July but not yet allocated to a case officer. I wonder when my application will be taken up. Is it advisable to takeup state sponsorship visa now for quicker processing?
Please advise
Regards
VS

Hi VS

GSM applications are currently taking up to a year to process, so (hopefully) your current application will be allocated to a case officer soon.

In the meantime, you could also apply for state sponsorship, but you do need to be aware of the fact that at least one state is only accepting sponsorships from applicants who need the extra points; and also that each state has its own particular list of occupations it will sponsor.

There are also distinctions within states; for example, “Accountant” isn’t on Queensland’s general sponsorship list, but it is listed on its regional sponsorship list. When considering your way ahead, you might also consider whether you would be happy to comply with the obligations that come with state sponsorship, such as committing to live and work in that state for at least two years.

Best regards
Susan Wareham

I am July 2007 applicant ( Pre sep 2007) , CO assigend Aug 2008, MODL , Accountant , IELTS 6.5 overall.
will my application effected by current changes ?

Hi Suthagar

The Minister’s direction on priority processing (including the Critical Skills List) includes GSM applications lodged prior to 1 September 2007.

The Critical Skills List includes the occupation of Accountant, but only where the applicant has achieved a score of at least IELTS 7 in each of the four competencies. In your case, you could re-sit the IELTS test, with the goal of lifting your score to 7 in each competency. If you succeeded, you would then be eligible for priority processing.

Alternatively, you could apply for State Sponsorship, and if you are succesful, your application would also receive priority processing, but that is not a risk-free strategy – please refer to my response to VS above for a more detailed explanation.

Your third option would be to do nothing – your application will still be processed in due course, but not as a priority application. If you’re managing your own application, you could contact your case officer to obtain some idea of the difference in processing time between the three options, or if you have a migration agent assisting you, you could ask them to do so.

Best regards
Susan

Hi
I am a qualified chartered accountant from Ireland. English is my native tongue. Am I required to sit the IELTS in order for me to apply for skilled immigration on the CSL? Accountants are listed but it says either score 7 in IELTS or take part one year post-graduate work program in Australia.

I am also wondering what the first step is and how long it is likely to take me to get to Australia from when I lodge my application?

Any advice would be very welcome.

Thank you

Hi BF – I don’t know myself but will try and get an answer for you.

Can I add to anyone else reading these posts you are better off posting questions like this within our forums http://community.embraceaustralia.com/forum

Mike

Hi BF

If you sit an IELTS test and score 7 or more in each of the four bands, you will be eligible to apply via an occupation on the Critical Skills List which means your application will receive priority processing.

If not, you can still apply, but your application won’t be processed until all the employer sponsored, state sponsored and CSL applications have been assessed – and that could take years.

Because the process is untested, it’s not yet known how long it will take to have a CSL application processed, but industry expectations are that it will be within 12 months of lodgement of your application.

The first step is to have your skills assessed by one of Australia’s three professional accounting bodies – they each have a migration skills assessment guidelines section on their website, which contains all the info you need to make a start.

Good luck!

Best regards
Susan

Hi

Is there any way of speeding up my processing time for a CSL Skilled Migration application? Would it be worth my while hiring an Australian based immigration lawyer? Should I travel to Australia, make my application while there, then return to Ireland in order to be treated as an onshore application? Alternatively, could I apply as an onshore application while in Ireland and travel to Australia when my visa application decision is expected?

Hi BF

It could well be worth talking to an MARA registered visa and migration consultant/specialist

Hi Mike
Are there any that you would recommend? There appears to be no end of misinformation out there.

Hi BF – our forum expert Susan is a registered agent. She offers her advice on the site for fun but by day helps people like yourself professionally.

If wouldn’t hurt dropping her a mail – click on her profile and send her a message.

Mike

Skilled Sponsored migration to Australia

Ok my question is that i have done my IELTS tesat and i have scored an overall band of 7 as follows:
Speaking: 8
Writing: 7
Listening:8
Reading: 5.5

So i was thinking will i get 25 points or 15 points for scoring that much in the 4 components. Your opinions would be very much appreciated.Pls somebode advise as i want to do my application for Skilled sponsored to Australia

Hi everyone,

Commenting on this article has been closed. If you have any migration questions, or questions relating to this post, you can join our community:

http://community.embraceaustralia.com

We have experts that will quickly be able to answer your questions there.

Thanks,
Oli @ Embrace Australia!