Australia's Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) commenced a new Skilled Migration Program on 1st July, 1999. This latest Program enables occupation assessments to be more professional and authoritative and has simplified DIMIA's examination and approval process.

DIMIA published a new Skilled Occupation List, making different skilled occupations worth 60 points, 50 points or 40 points. The applicant must have a nominated skilled occupation and completed a Skill Assessment by the Relevant Australian Authority before they apply. The applicant must also be under 45 years of age when they apply. All Principal (or Primary) applicants must possess Vocational English (at least 5 points on each component of the IELTS Test) except for those applying under the Skilled - Regional Sponsored subclass. Depending upon the nominated occupation and Visa Subclass applied for, applicants must have either 6, 12 or 24 months work experience, except for those who have completed an Australian Tertiary Qualification, requiring at least 2 years full-time study in Australia, in the six (6) months immediately before they apply.

1. Who can apply for Skilled Migration?

Skilled Migration applicants must have at least a post-secondary qualification, a trade certificate (e.g. Certificates of Proficiency in the occupations of Chef, Welder etc.) and extensive work experience in a nominated occupation, reasonable English Language proficiency and a minimum period of relevant work experience (except for those who have completed an Australian Tertiary Qualification in the six (6) months immediately before they apply).

2. Who will benefit from the new Policy?

• The applicant who is studying in Australia may lodge their application within six (6) months of completing their Australian Tertiary Qualification without the need for work experience.
• The applicant who obtains a Trade Certificate in Australia may lodge their application within six (6) months of obtaining this Trade Certificate without the need of possessing work experience as a qualified tradesperson.
• The applicant may nominate an occupation that is advantageous to their assessment when their qualification do not match their work experience.
• The applicant who does not reach the Pass Mark (but reaches the Pool Mark) has more opportunities and an extension of time to be nominated by an Australia State Government or employer and, therefore, be able to gain Permanent Residency in Australia.
• The applicant who has a relative who lives in a Designate Area of Australia and is willing to Sponsor the applicant can be eligible for Permanent Residency with a lower level of English proficiency and less work experience. Further, the choice of relatives as Sponsor is wider than with other categories.

3. Definitions

• Basic Requirements: The basic criteria for which skilled migrants are required to meet. (There are three basic criteria elements of Skills, Age and English Language Proficiency will be explained later.)
• Sponsor: (Applies to Family-Sponsored Categories) A person living in Australia as either a Permanent Resident or Citizen who is a relative of the applicant and who undertakes a legal obligation to provide financial and accommodation assistance to the applicant(s).
• Assurer:A person living in Australia as a Permanent Resident or Citizen, who has the capacity to provide financial support to the applicant and thus ensure the applicant will not rely upon government support. The Assurer need not be the Sponsor.
• Competent English: At least 6 points on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS Test.
• Vocational English:At least 5 points on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS Test.
• Functional English: At least 4.5 points on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS Test.
• Skilled Occupation List (SOL): A list of occupations formulated by DIMA and changed according to the different occupational demands in Australia. The occupation nominated by the applicant must be on the List.
• Regional Sponsor: To boost regional development, the Australian Government gives policy concessions to the applicant whose Sponsor resides in a Designated Area. These concession cater for the applicant who is Sponsored by a relative living in a Designated Area for at least 12 months before the application is lodged.