New Australian visa points test to be introduced on 1 July, 2011

AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION - NEW POINTS TEST

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has released preliminary information of the new points test which is currently scheduled to be implemented on 1 July, 2011.

The points test is a critical part of the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) process, as in order to lodge an Australian visa application, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they both meet the basic requirements and are able to pass the points test at the time of lodging their visa.

IELTS:

It is proposed that applicants must have IELTS with 7.0 or 8.0 bands. No points will be awarded for IELTS bands less than 7.0.

Occupation Points:

It is also proposed to remove Occupation points under the new Points Test. 

It's important to understand that there is still some degree of uncertainty attached to this announcement, as DIAC have yet to commit to certain aspects of the points test. For example, they say that "it is expected that the pass mark will be set at 65 points" but have not committed to this as the pass mark.

Additionally, they say that applicants with a Bachelor's degree will be awarded a specific number of points, but it isn't yet clear whether individuals with equivalent professional membership qualifications will also be awarded these points (as they are currently deemed comparable to a Bachelor's according to the country education profiles) or if it will be very strict that only applicants with a Bachelor's degree will be eligible to receive these points.

What should visa applicants do now?

Without knowing a visa applicant's specific details, it's very difficult to provide any guidance as what the best steps to take will be. For the timebeing though, I am advising that visa applicants continue to work on their application as normal, taking into consideration that all applications lodged before 1 July, 2011 will be accepted under the current points test.

In other words, one must get his case prepared and filed immediately under the current points test system as tougher criteria will be enforced on 1 July 2011.

Please send me your updated CV on info@alhamza.pk for evaluation and further processing.