If you have not applied for a Temporary Skilled Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) on or before 8 February 2010 or do not fall under the Transitional Arrangements, and are intending to apply for a GSM Visa on or after 1 July 2011, then the New General Skilled Migration (GSM) Points Test is for you.

The Minister for immigration and Citizenship, the Honourable Chris Bowen MP, has announced the new points test for GSM which “is proposed to take effect from 1 July 2011, subject to passage of supporting legislation through the Parliament. It will apply to anyone lodging an application from 1 July 2011 “.

“The new points test will ensure we select the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants.” This is evident from the focus of the major changes set out below with particular emphasis on stronger English Language Levels, Higher Levels of Qualifications and more extensive skilled work experience.

Transitional arrangements will apply as follows: -

“Transitional arrangements apply to people who, on 8 February 2010 held or had applied for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa (subclass 485). Until the end of 2012, this group is able to apply for a permanent skilled visa under the points test in effect as at 8 February 2010.

Student visa holders who lodge an application for points tested skilled migration from 1 July 2011 will be assessed under the new points test. There are still transitional arrangements which may apply to those students affected by the reforms announced on 8 February 2010.”

The New GSM Points Test is focused on following Visas: -

• Subclass 885 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 886 Skilled Sponsored
• Subclass 487 Skilled Regional Sponsored
• Subclass 175 Skilled Independent
• Subclass 176 Skilled Sponsored
• Subclass 475 Skilled – Regional Sponsored

Employer-sponsored visa categories are not affected by changes to the points test.

Main features and major changes include:

Pass Mark

The new pass mark under the New Points Test is likely to be 65

Occupation

No Points to be awarded for occupational skills, thereby abolishing the distinction between 40/50/60 point occupations. However, the applicant must still nominate an occupation under the applicable Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Age

Points for age will change and the age bracket has been extended to allow people up to 49 years of age to apply, but no points to be awarded for this new age category of 45-49 years of age.

Points	Age
30	25 – 32
25	18 - 24 and 33 – 39
15	40 – 44
0	45 – 49

English

A new standard of English will be recognised, namely “Superior English” (8 in each of the IELTS test subjects). No points to be awarded for Competent English (6 in each of the IELTS test subjects), but applicants with a higher English Level will be awarded points, i.e. Proficient (7 in each of the IELTS test subjects) and Superior.

Points	Description of English language ability
20	Superior English (a score of at least 8 in each of the four components of the IELTS test).
10	Proficient English (a score of at least 7 in each of the four components of the IELTS test)

Family Member Sponsorship - Subclass 176 and 886

The New Points Test will not allow family members to sponsor applicants under these visa subclasses. However, eligible family members will be able to sponsor applicants under provisional regional sponsorship subclasses 475 and 487 visas, where the applicant may be eligible at a later date to apply for a permanent visa Subclass 887.

Australian Work Experience and Professional Year

Under the new Points Test, it will now be possible to claim points for both a professional year and Australian Work Experience. However, work undergone during the Professional Year program cannot be considered as work experience. Furthermore, under the new Points Test, an applicant can only claim 5 points for the Professional Year.

Australian Qualification and Study in Australia

The new Points test allows applicants who meet the Australian Study requirement, use that same study period to claim further points for that qualification. Points are awarded for the applicant’s highest level qualification. However, higher points are no longer awarded for completion of a Master program after completion of a Bachelor Program.

Points	Description of education qualifications
20	PhD
15	Bachelor Degree (including a Bachelor Degree with Honours or Masters)
10	Diploma completed in Australia AQF III/IV completed in Australia Offshore recognised apprenticeship

Australian and Overseas Work Experience

If an applicant is eligible to claim points for both Australian and Overseas work experience, you can claim points for both.

Points	Description of Australian work experience
15	Five years Australian work experience in the seven years before lodging an application.
10	Three years Australian work experience in the five years before lodging an application.
5	One year Australian work experience in the two years before lodging an application.

Points	Description of overseas work experience
15	Eight years overseas work experience in the ten years before lodging an application.
10	Five years overseas work experience in the seven years before lodging an application.
5	Three years overseas work experience in the past five years.

Study in a Regional Area

Applicants who are eligible to claim points for study in a regional area will continue to be awarded 5 points.

Designated Language Points

Applicants who which to claim points for a designated language will be required to be accredited by NAATI. Applicants will no longer be awarded points based on completing qualifications from a University where study was conducted through a designated language.

Partner Skills

Points can be claimed for Partner Skills if they meet the requirements.

For more information regarding the New Points Test, please see the following:

See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-testfaq.pdf’

See: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-fact.pdf;

See: http://chrisbowen.net/media-centre/media releases.do?newsId=3888;