The British perception of Australia and Australian people revolved around the idea of a ‘laid back’ attitude and lifestyle, and that this is what attracted many UK residents to Australia. 

 

The ever changing nature of Australian immigration laws, which are due to be altered again in July this year, have made immigration to Australia a difficult process for many UK residents.   

 

Australian Immigration Minister, Mr Chris Bowen, stated last week in his address to the Australian Law Council that a new ‘points test’ to assess immigration applications would be introduced in July. 

 

The new points test will be designed to favour applicants who are highly skilled in occupations in demand in Australia. 

 

The new points test accompanies a series of new reforms to Australia’s immigration system announced by the government in February 2010. It has been developed as a result of a review of the current points test, which included submissions from various experts and interested parties from the Australian community.

 

This review determined that the current points test tended to favour a limited pool of occupations and therefore often resulted in an outcome which did not reflect the objective of Australia’s skilled migration program.

 

The new points test is intended to target the best and brightest skilled migrants; favouring high level qualifications, high levels of English language competency and extensive work experience. 

 

Points will no longer be accorded to an Australian visa applicant based on the applicant’s occupation, but applicants are still required to nominate an occupation from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). 

 

The total number of points required by applicants is expected to be reduced from 120 down to 65, but the factors which contribute to building that total will also be reduced, in some instances making it harder for applicants to meet the points test criteria. 

 

For instance, the new points test will afford university graduates 15 points, but allocate skilled trades people 10 points. 

 

But the proposed changes to Australian immigration practice will mean that U.K. professionals, including IT specialists, accountants, civil engineers and teachers, with high level English language skills and extensive work experience will fair well under the new points scheme. 

 

UK residents migrating to Australia will be at a significant advantage under the new points test in relation to English language with points only being awarded for applicants with proficient level English and additional points awarded for superior level English.  However, even UK residents migrating to Australia will be required to complete an English language test to claim English points.    

 

On the other hand, Applicants considering migrating to Australia sponsored by a State Government should consider applying before the changes take effect with points for permanent visa State Sponsorship being reduced and the current pass mark concessions for State Sponsored application to be removed.

 

If you are considering migrating to Australia, we can help you determine whether your current situation is likely to be viewed more favourably under the current points test for an Australian visa, or would be more likely to succeed under the new points test due to come into effect in July 2011. Book a telephone consultation with one of our experienced Australian immigration lawyers today. 

 

Applications for an Australian skilled migration visa which have been submitted before 1st July 2011 will be assessed according to the criteria of the current points test. 

 

If you have already submitted an application, but believe that your application would be better assessed against the new points test, then you will need to submit another application after the new points test takes effect.

 

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