News about the new SOL

[George Lombard]

We've been seeing a lot of material generated by migration agencies which rely on high volume low responsibility case management of general skilled migration applicants - apparently seeking to maintain market share by selling hope. There ought to be a separate thread - preferably round with a closable lit to control the smell - to put them all in.

 

The bottom line is that Chris is quite correct, DIAC is in a mess on this, and therefore it's impossible to predict what state migration plans or priority arrangements might be put in place. I would guess that their major focus is cleaning up the backlog, and in fact a lot of the rhetoric already is about how this is a Howard government mess, which will of course be used to deflate the suggestion that Howard and the Liberals had any idea about how to manage migration when the election rolls around.

 

I would strongly suggest that anyone whose occupation is not on the new SOL be very careful about proceeding with a new application; bear in mind too that if the assessing agencies are going over to ANZSCO on 1 July then there will be new ENSOL and 457 lists at some stage.

 

Cheers,

 

George Lombard

[QuantitySurveyor]

According to DIAC, those who have already applied for their visas are not afffected with the new SOL. Besides, if you see the new Priority processing, CSL category has also been included and a provision for the new SMP.

 

Under the Ministerial Direction, the following processing priorities (with

highest priority listed first) apply:

1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and

the RSMS.

2. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency under a State Migration Plan agreed to by the Minister.

3. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency and whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills

List (CSL).

4. Applications from people who are neither nominated nor sponsored

under Priority Groups 1,2 or 3 but whose nominated occupation is listed on

the CSL.

5. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency whose nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL

6. (i) Applications from people whose occupations are listed on the

Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); as well as

(ii) Applications from people who are sponsored by family and whose

nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL.

7. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they

are received.

 

Priority Processing.

 

As I have suggested before, and it's only my take on it. I don't see any reason for this priority list to change come 1st July. There is no referance to a new SOL, but yet they have prioritised Visa routes which don't even exist as yet. But it tell's me something.

 

For existing GSM applicants, CSL with SS will still be prioirity, regardless of whether they are or aren't on the new SOL. It will be a bit of a catch up - I wouldn't be surprised to even see May applicants getting Visa's within the next few months.

 

Existing applications, eg 175/176 non CSL, but now on the new SOL perhaps will be able to upgrade in the future ... provided they are listed in an approved SMP. I can't see any other route for this upgrade ? The SOL is not a new CSL in my opinion.

 

In my view ... everything hinges on "approved" SMP's, not proposed SMP's, but approved SMP's.

 

The new SOL as it stands, for new applicant's, is only the 1st hurdle, the control mechanism is with the Minister, having control over the SMP's in terms of approval.

 

It's meant to be harder to get a PR visa, not easier, and in terms of Priority Processing, my personal view, is that the new SOL is the new qualifier for a PR visa, the new point system will be harder, and the SMP may save the day for those new applicants not on the new SOL - but these SMP's won't be approved easily, there is too much politics going on, and I can't see this being clear cut by 1st July. :wideeyed:

 

Respectful of those advising to get on with medicals, and police checks etc. but I disagree. The migration programme is in a state of flux, as always, but it's even more uncertain now. I would personally wait to see how the SMP issue pans out.

 

Just my thoughts, I am not a professional adviser, so take my view with a pinch of salt.

[Ozzieland]

Hi Gill/Gollywobbler,

 

I got a reply from that email address and it keeps talking about the processing directive of 8th February 2010 as "new priority processing arrangements".

 

It appears at pains to point out that those applications lodged prior to 1 July will not be affected by the implementation of the new SOL - whether this means validity or processing or both, who knows ? Regarding the 8th May 2010 suspension, it states that if you have already submitted your application, once again you will not be affected.

 

It doesn't appear to say anything about any new processing arrangements after 1 July 2010. It appears that pre-existing arrangements might suffice. It would be difficult to justify placing the new SOL processing above current CSL, but in the same vein, it would be difficult to justify the processing of those applications made before July 2010 that were not on the CSL, but are on the new SOL, by 2012 at the earliest. It's basically a royal mess. The only thing that I can see is that might work is to keep the existing priority processing and make reference to "CSL" "CSL and/or New SOL" instead, either that or they will have to run two concurrent arrangements for before and after 1 July 2010 applications.

 

 

I have posted above the important part of the email which shows processing times of all applications, pre and post July 2010. If you have a look at the list, it has CSL processing times which will be applicable now as well as after July, 2010 and it also has a provision for SMP which will take effect from 1st July, 210. My guess is that these priorty processng will continue till the CSL and State Sponsored applications are exhausted and then, the only priority processing that will be given is to Employee sponsored and SMP.

[Guest Drifter]

My guess is that these priorty processng will continue till the CSL and State Sponsored applications are exhausted

 

Ozzieland, that sounds like music to my ears and I wanna believe it too. But what is your guess based upon, besides the common sense? That email is a part of DIAC's current client charter, and they won't update it until the day X.

[Ozzieland]

Ozzieland, that sounds like music to my ears and I wanna believe it too. But what is your guess based upon, besides the common sense? That email is a part of DIAC's current client charter, and they won't update it until the day X.

 

I would have thought that too if it was information from other sources. However, this information is received after sending a blank email to aspc.processing@immi.gov.au I think they have updated it because it reflects the new SMP as the second priority. If this was not the case, this would not have shown until 1st July, 2010.

 

DIAC are not saying anywhere that they do not require the current CSL occupations. All that they have done is reduce the no. of lists into 'One' SOL so that the entire process is not a wide spread operation but just as simple as it looks as well as meets their needs.

[Guest Drifter]

DIAC are not saying anywhere that they do not require the current CSL occupations.

 

 

Well, in "Revoking the Critical Skills List" they're saying this:

 

Q1 What will be the role of the Critical Skills List when

the new Skilled Occupation List is introduced?

 

The Critical Skills List (CSL) will be revoked when the new

Skilled Occupation List (SOL) comes into place in mid-

2010. The CSL was an interim administrative measure

adopted while the Migration Occupation in Demand List

(MODL) review was being undertaken, to ensure skilled

migration outcomes were driven by the demands of the

labour market.

 

 

Q2 My nominated occupation is currently on the CSL.

 

Will I continue to receive priority processing?

Yes, priority processing arrangements for applications

for permanent skilled migration will continue until they

are reviewed in mid-2010. More information on the new

arrangements will be provided closer to this time on

Department of Immigration & Citizenship

 

 

The CSL is just a priority measure. Now they announced the new SOL but didn't say a word about new priorities, besides SMP. So until any further official announcements, I believe SMP is the only real advantage from July 1st.

 

On the other hands, I believe they will strive to process as much of the CSL queue util July 1st as their quota allows.

[scottntina]

Hi Tina and Scott,

 

Cant you do the 175? If you have to do a State Sponsorship, what State is your preference to live in?

 

The problem with the 176 is that we dont know yet which States will sponsor what occupations. Each State makes it own choices. In the past some States have been reluctant to sponsor where the person could have done the 175. So in that area we will have to wait and see. If you can do a 175 maybe thats your best way.

 

The new points test will not be just a matter of changing the pass mark, i think it will be a major change in assessing people, perhaps more points for excellant English, more points for greater work experience etc.

 

So if you pass the current points test with room to spare, then perhaps you can feel safe to do the qualifications assesment, medical and police. As I wrote before, if you want to contact me privatelly with your email address I will let you know as soon as further information becomes available.

 

Cheers

 

Chris.

 

 

Hi Chris,

 

Thanks for your reply, We already have our state sponsorship approval for WA, and have our application in for 176 .

Was just wondering if we should start booking our medicals and police checks, as hopefully we should move to cat 2 after july ( well fingers crossed ).

 

Thanks again

Tina and Scott.

[Ozzieland]

Well, in "Revoking the Critical Skills List" they're saying this:

 

 

 

The CSL is just a priority measure. Now they announced the new SOL but didn't say a word about new priorities, besides SMP. So until any further official announcements, I believe SMP is the only real advantage from July 1st.

 

On the other hands, I believe they will strive to process as much of the CSL queue util July 1st as their quota allows.

 

Yes they will continue processing CSL on priority at least till mid 2010... I would think they are just confused with all the changes themselves and this makes it even more confusing for the end receiver, that is us. Having seen the priority processing list makes me feel that since the list will reduce drastically post July, 2010 and will consist of SMP applications, this will then take priority over the CSL applications and those CSL applicants who have an occupation in the SMP should apply to prioritize their processing time and this will help to move them in the correct area as per the need. I feel this is exactly what DIAC want and unfortunately they are conveying this message in a very haphazard manner which is bound to create even more confusion.

[Guest guest41018]

If they are processing Category 5 now, wouldn't that imply that they are trying to get to category 6 (MODL) as soon as possible ? What I mean is, isn't the new SOL more like the old MODL rather than the CSL and given that it would be difficult to justify processing the new SOL applications ahead of the CSL applications that are already in the pipeline, is it not conceivable that very little might change in terms of processing priorities ?

[Guest proud2beaussie]

The processing update email from ASPC Adelaide has included the line about SMP's for quite awhile,it was in an update which I posted here on PIO on 15 March so I don't think that part has changed,the latest update does make reference to the announcement of the new SOL though so it has been updated in that respect.

For those interested this is the text of the current update email.

 

GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION

ADELAIDE PROCESSING INFORMATION

 

This is an automated e-mail response which provides updated information on

skilled migration applications being processed by the Adelaide Skilled

Processing Centre (ASPC). Please do not reply to this email address as

this mailbox is not monitored. Contact details for the ASPC are listed

below.

 

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE

Changes to Priority Processing – 8 February 2010

Direction No. 45 - Order of consideration - certain skilled migration

visas

 

The Migration Act 1958 contains powers by which the Minister can consider

and finalise visa applications in an order of priority that the Minister

considers appropriate. Departmental officers are required to follow this

Ministerial direction, which applies to every stage of visa processing.

 

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has set

new processing priorities for certain skilled migration visa applications.

The direction came into effect on 8 February 2010 and applies to new

applications lodged on or after 8 February 2010, and those already lodged

or in the final stages of processing, and replaces the previous Priority

Processing Direction (No. 42) which commenced on 23 September 2009.

 

The new priority processing arrangements apply to the following visa

programs:

The Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)

The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)

General Skilled Migration (GSM)

 

The following GSM visa subclasses are exempt from the priority processing

provisions specified in Direction 45:

Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476

Skilled – Graduate Subclass 485

Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883

Skilled – Regional Subclass 887

 

Applications for these visa subclasses will be processed in the order in

which they are received.

 

The following GSM applications are exempt from Direction 45

 

applications that have been remitted by the Migration Review Tribunal for

reconsideration;

applications where it is readily apparent that the criteria for grant of

the visa would not be satisfied;

applications by members of the family unit of a person who holds a

temporary or provisional GSM visa (subsequent entrant applications).

visa applications for a Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 487 visa

where the applicant holds a Skilled – Independent Regional (Provisional)

Subclass 495 visa, Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional)

Subclass 496 visa, Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 487 visa or

Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 475 visa at the time they apply.

 

The Skilled Migration visa processing priorities

 

Under the Ministerial Direction, the following processing priorities (with

highest priority listed first) apply:

1. Applications from people who are employer sponsored under the ENS and

the RSMS.

2. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency under a State Migration Plan agreed to by the Minister.

3. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency and whose nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills

List (CSL).

4. Applications from people who are neither nominated nor sponsored

under Priority Groups 1,2 or 3 but whose nominated occupation is listed on

the CSL.

5. Applications from people who are nominated by a State/Territory

government agency whose nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL

6. (i) Applications from people whose occupations are listed on the

Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); as well as

(ii) Applications from people who are sponsored by family and whose

nominated occupation is not listed on the CSL.

7. All other applications are to be processed in the order in which they

are received.

 

The complete list of occupations on the CSL is available on the

department’s website:

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/critical-skills-list.pdf

 

 

Application Processing Times for GSM Applications

 

 

Information on application processing times is published on the

department’s website at

Client Service Charter

 

 

If your application is in any of priority groups 2, 3 or 4, it is

estimated that your visa application will be finalised within 12 months of

your lodgement date. Please note that processing times can be affected by

circumstances beyond the department’s control.

 

If your application is in any of priority groups 5, 6 or 7 and you have

applied for an offshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an offshore GSM

visa, it is unlikely that your application will be finalised within 3

years of the date of the application.

 

If your application is in any of priority groups 5, 6 or 7 and you applied

for an onshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an onshore GSM visa, it is

unlikely that your application will be finalised within 2 years of the

date of the application.

 

Please note that your nominated occupation is the occupation you nominated

at the time you lodged your application and cannot be changed.

 

Application processing times are indicative only and are based on the

current visa application rate, the current Priority Processing Direction,

and the availability of places in the Migration Program.

 

Please do not contact the department to request your application be

exempted from the Minister’s Priority Processing Direction. Departmental

officers must adhere to the Minister’s Direction and you will be contacted

by the department when your application is allocated to a case officer.

 

Processing priorities are subject to change. Any changes to these

priorities or processing times will be updated on the department’s website

at: What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

 

Priority Processing Exemptions

 

 

Visa Subclasses 476, 485 and 887 are exempt from the priority processing

changes. Applications under these subclasses will continue to be

processed in the order in which they were received by the department – the

following subclass by application lodgement date identifies cases

currently being considered:

 

Visa Subclass

 

Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476

VF 476 (paper): 24 March 2010

VF 476 (e-lodged): 24 March 2010

Skilled – Graduate Subclass 485

VC 485 (paper): 5 May 2009

Skilled – Regional Subclass 887

VB 887 (paper): 9 April 2010

 

Processing News

 

MINISTER'S ANNOUNCEMENT OF NEW SKILLED OCCUPATION LIST – 17 May 2010

 

On 17 May 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator

Chris Evans, announced the list of occupations included in the new Skilled

Occupation List (SOL). It is intended that the new SOL will come into

effect from 1 July 2010. Applications lodged prior to the implementation

of the new SOL will not be affected.

 

Further information about this announcement can be found on our website.

What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

 

TEMPORARY SUSPENSION OF CERTAIN GENERAL SKILLED MIGRATION (GSM)

APPLICATIONS – 7 MAY 2010

 

 

The Australian Government has decided to temporarily suspend the

acceptance of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications.

This temporary measure will begin on 8 May 2010 and is expected to remain

in effect until the end of 30 June 2010.

 

 

The temporary suspension applies only to primary (main) applicants for the

following visa subclasses:

 

 

Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent (Migrant) visa

 

 

Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) visa

 

 

Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa

 

If you have already submitted a valid application for one of the affected

subclasses prior to 08 May 2010, this change does not affect you. Your

application will be processed as normal and in accordance with priority

processing arrangements.

 

Further information about this announcement can be found on our website.

What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

 

 

OTHER CHANGES TO THE SKILLED MIGRATION PROGRAM

 

In addition to the new Priority Processing Direction the Minister has

announced other changes to the GSM Program. Information about these

changes have been published on the department’s website at:

What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

 

INFORMATION ABOUT PROVIDING DOCUMENTS

 

Applicants for General Skilled Migration (GSM) are strongly encouraged to

submit supporting documentation electronically. Providing scanned copies

of documents reduces postal and administrative delays in receiving and

processing information.

 

GSM processing offices accept scanned copies of original documents

(non-certified) provided they are in colour. If you scan documents in

black and white, then they must be scanned copies of certified copies. The

valid file types for attaching documents are BMP, DOC, DOT, GIF, JPG, PDF,

RTF, TXT and XLS.

 

Information which will assist you in attaching documents to your

application or in emailing them to the department is available on the

department’s website at:

Attaching Documents to a General Skilled Migration Visa Application

 

E-lodged applications

 

If you e-lodged this application you are strongly encouraged to attach all

the supporting documentation to the application in the web-browser. This

is the preferred procedure for providing supporting documents for an

e-lodged application.

 

If for any reason you cannot attach documents in the browser then you can

email the documents as scanned attachments to:

adelaide.gsm.documents@immi.gov.au

 

Paper lodged applications

 

If you lodged a paper application you can still provide supporting

documentation electronically.

 

To provide additional documents to the GSM Adelaide office please email

the documents as scanned attachments to:

adelaide.gsm.documents@immi.gov.au

 

When emailing documents to the department please ensure that you include

an application reference number as the first part of the subject line of

your email. You can use either the Transaction Reference Number (TRN) or

file reference number for this purpose.

 

Do not send this office any original documents or provide paper copies of

documents attached to the browser or sent by e-mail unless asked to do so

by a departmental officer.

 

MEDICAL RESULTS

 

If you have undertaken your medical examination at Health Services

Australia (HSA), please do not post your medical results to us unless your

case officer requests you to do so. Please store your results in a secure

place and do not open the sealed envelope.

 

BRISBANE PROCESSING

 

Information regarding applications processed in Brisbane can be obtained

by sending a blank email to the following email address:

gsmb.information@immi.gov.au

 

CONTACTING US

 

Email:

If you have not yet lodged a GSM application then enquiries should be made

using the on-line enquiry form at

General Skilled Migration Pre-Lodgement Enquiry Form

If you have already made an application then all enquiries for the ASPC

and BSPC need to be made using the on-line enquiry form at:

General Skilled Migration Post-Lodgement Enquiry Form or

 

Telephone:

1300 364 613 (in Australia) for the cost of a local call;

or

+61 1300 364 613 (outside Australia)

 

Contact Hours: (Australian Central Time):

0900 to 1600 Monday to Friday

 

Please note: due to the large volume of calls we receive, from time to

time you may experience lengthy delays before getting to speak to a

customer service officer.

 

LINKS

 

General Skilled Migration – What's New

What's New? Recent Changes in General Skilled Migration

 

Critical Skills List

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/critical-skills-list.pdf

 

Last updated: 19 May 2010

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------

 

 

 

 

Minister's announcement of new Skilled Occupations List – 17 May

 

On 17 May 2010, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced the list of occupations included in the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The introduction of a new list of occupations is part of a package of reforms that reflects the Government's commitment to a labour market demand-driven Skilled Migration Program.

 

 

 

Also just incase anyone hasn't seen them here are the links to the FAQ's on the DIAC website about the new SOL.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/factsheet-new-sol.pdf

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/new-list-of-occupations.pdf

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-new-sol.pdf

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/options-not-eligible.pdf

 

Hope this helps someone.

Cheers

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Hi All

 

In the last 24 hours I have been told that WA have produced the first draft of their proposed SMP and that it is doing the rounds.

 

I have NOT seen the document. I'm repeating what I was told by a guy who has not seen the document either. However he says that the WA draft has about 250 occupations on it, some of which are on the new SOL but many of them are not.

 

I am told that the draft is said to include Cooks and Welfare Workers but not Hairdressers. I particularly want to know about Youth Workers for WA,to help Kellyjamie on here but at the moment I have no information about Youth Workers, unfortunately.

 

Also I want to repeat and to stress what Quantity Surveyor has already said. The document is only a draft. It has NOT been approved on behalf of the Minister for Immi.

 

It could easily be that DIAC would take a red pen to the draft and chop put 3/4 of the occupations that are on it. The first rule of negotiation is to give one's opponent something to object to. Points that you don't mind giving away so that you can stick on the points that you want to keep. It is a bit silly but the human mind thrives on tting a bargain from the opponent.

 

I also had a chat on the phone with David Wilden yesterday. I asked him about the sponsorship arrangements described in the ASPC e-mail. The e-mail suggests that there wil be one type of State sponsorshiip for occupations on the new SMP and a different type of State sponsorship for occupations that are only on the main sponsorship list for the relevant State. How is all this supposed to work?

 

David Wilden is 100% honest and he sees absolutely no reason for unnecessary secrecy. He said that Canberra have produced a set of Rules for the SMPs. He is waiting for Canberra to send him a copy of these Rules. He says that when he gets them, he will (hopefully) be able to answer questions like mine.

 

I plan to give him a week or 10 days to get the document from Canberra and to study it. Then I will ask him again, in an e-mail, to see whether he can clarify how the whole thing is intended to work.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[Purple Princess]

Hi All

 

In the last 24 hours I have been told that WA have produced the first draft of their proposed SMP and that it is doing the rounds.

 

I have NOT seen the document. I'm repeating what I was told by a guy who has not seen the document either. However he says that the WA draft has about 250 occupations on it, some of which are on the new SOL but many of them are not.

 

I am told that the draft is said to include Cooks and Welfare Workers but not Hairdressers. I particularly want to know about Youth Workers for WA,to help Kellyjamie on here but at the moment I have no information about Youth Workers, unfortunately.

 

Also I want to repeat and to stress what Quantity Surveyor has already said. The document is only a draft. It has NOT been approved on behalf of the Minister for Immi.

 

It could easily be that DIAC would take a red pen to the draft and chop put 3/4 of the occupations that are on it. The first rule of negotiation is to give one's opponent something to object to. Points that you don't mind giving away so that you can stick on the points that you want to keep. It is a bit silly but the human mind thrives on tting a bargain from the opponent.

 

I also had a chat on the phone with David Wilden yesterday. I asked him about the sponsorship arrangements described in the ASPC e-mail. The e-mail suggests that there wil be one type of State sponsorshiip for occupations on the new SMP and a different type of State sponsorship for occupations that are only on the main sponsorship list for the relevant State. How is all this supposed to work?

 

David Wilden is 100% honest and he sees absolutely no reason for unnecessary secrecy. He said that Canberra have produced a set of Rules for the SMPs. He is waiting for Canberra to send him a copy of these Rules. He says that when he gets them, he will (hopefully) be able to answer questions like mine.

 

I plan to give him a week or 10 days to get the document from Canberra and to study it. Then I will ask him again, in an e-mail, to see whether he can clarify how the whole thing is intended to work.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

 

Hi Gill,

 

I think what I find most difficult to understand is where they get the "jobs in demand" from. I'm not a hairdresser or a cook (and also not intending to work for a few years yet), but on browsing in the local papers, the only jobs that are in abundance here appear to be hairdressers and cooks!!!:confused:

I do think that there is a broken line of communication somewhere between employers and the government/immigration.....

 

Steph

xxxx

[Guest lindyverm04]

Hi Everyone!

 

I'm more confused than ever!!! I am a primary school teacher which was on the CSL, but is now NOT on the SOL!!! We applied for a 176 family sponsored, as we have family living in Brisbane. We can not go SS as Queensland are not sponsoring teachers. We lodged our application in July 2009. I believe our application will not be effected - is this correct? Secondly, where will this put us on the "Priority Processing" list - will we move from CAT 4 (on previous CSL) or will we now be in CAT 6?

 

I would appreciate all comments. Thanks!!!!!

 

:wacko:

[scottntina]

oooohhh, how exciting gill, cant wait to see if general electrician is part of the SMP.

Tina and Scott

[Guest Kiraloo]

Hi Gill,

 

I think what I find most difficult to understand is where they get the "jobs in demand" from. I'm not a hairdresser or a cook (and also not intending to work for a few years yet), but on browsing in the local papers, the only jobs that are in abundance here appear to be hairdressers and cooks!!!:confused:

I do think that there is a broken line of communication somewhere between employers and the government/immigration.....

 

Steph

xxxx

 

Hi all,

 

Well, from what I'm getting is that they removed nearly all occupations on the new SOL that were popular with International students to stop them from applying for PR (eg, hairdressers, cooks, welfare workers etc.). These occupations are still in demand.

 

Not too many vocational education courses for now.

 

Also Skillls Australia included aged care workers, disability workers and personal carers in their draft but unsurprisingly they were not included in the new SOL ( to stop International students choosing these courses or are these jobs just 'too low skilled'?

Many people working in these professions are unskilled and aquired work experience through practical work experience.

I used to work as an Assistant in Nursing (I'm qualified in Aged Care Work) and found most nursing homes to be absolutely desperate for aged care workers. Many workers were International students or people on working holiday visas.

 

Anyway, I'm in my last semester as a student myself and will have my Diploma in Community Welfare Work in July.

If WA chooses to include Welfare Worker (and maybe Youth Worker) on their SMP there might still be hope for many students who are devastated that their profession was removed from the new SOL.

I personally feel quite insulted by the 'generous transitional arrangements for International students' ( 18 months skilled graduate visa can be applied for til December 2012).

 

I can't find anything generous about this announcement and find it very arrogant and poorly worded.

 

Regards

[QuantitySurveyor]

Hi Everyone!

 

I'm more confused than ever!!! I am a primary school teacher which was on the CSL, but is now NOT on the SOL!!! We applied for a 176 family sponsored, as we have family living in Brisbane. We can not go SS as Queensland are not sponsoring teachers. We lodged our application in July 2009. I believe our application will not be effected - is this correct? Secondly, where will this put us on the "Priority Processing" list - will we move from CAT 4 (on previous CSL) or will we now be in CAT 6?

 

I would appreciate all comments. Thanks!!!!!

 

:wacko:

 

No change at the mo. Unless you can upgrade to an SMP, which we do not know the workings of yet. Primary School Teachers often get confused so don't worry :wink:

 

No Gold Star for Affect.

 

Pete xx.

[Guest lindyverm04]

Hi Pete

 

LOL!! Sorry for typo, have been typing reports all day and am beginning to get a 'bit cross-eyed!!!'. One correction though - teachers are ALWAYS confused!!

:wacko:Excuse my ignorance, but what is an SMP? And, second question, you say no change at the mo - does that mean we will still be processed as CAT 4? Sorry for being such a pian with all the questions!!!

[Guest lindyverm04]

OMG!!! I did it again!! So before I get corrected again, it should read:

 

"Sorry for being such a pain with all the questions!!

 

LOL!!!:notworthy:

[QuantitySurveyor]

OMG!!! I did it again!! So before I get corrected again, it should read:

 

"Sorry for being such a pain with all the questions!!

 

LOL!!!:notworthy:

 

Your such a pane. You need to reed up on State Mygration Plans. :GEEK:

 

:hug:

 

State Migration Plans: Australian Visa Bureau

[paulswin]

If anyone hears rumours about floor finishers being on the smp list please please put me out of my misery

[Guest pippa1]

Hi hun

 

Sorry to say this, but only secondary school teachers are CSL so unless your skills assessment was secondary you are category 6 at the moment.

 

I am vocational teacher and in exactly the same position as you, not in new SOL, cant get sponsorship from Qld...so having to stick with family sponsorship and keeping fingers crossed.

 

Hoping for an offlist SMP place ! (2 chances though I think ; slim or none!)

 

Good luck x

[sarahfrankolly]

oooohhh, how exciting gill, cant wait to see if general electrician is part of the SMP.

Tina and Scott

ooo us too as my OH is a general electrician and we are heading to Perth...fingers crossed hey

I would be keen to follow to see how you guys get on ...good luck

[scottntina]

ooo us too as my OH is a general electrician and we are heading to Perth...fingers crossed hey

I would be keen to follow to see how you guys get on ...good luck

 

 

Hi Sarah, we are heading to perth too, have you got your sponsorship yet ??

 

Hoping and praying we will be on the cat 2 list soon,

Good luck to you too.

Tina

[Purple Princess]

Hi all,

 

Well, from what I'm getting is that they removed nearly all occupations on the new SOL that were popular with International students to stop them from applying for PR (eg, hairdressers, cooks, welfare workers etc.). These occupations are still in demand.

 

Not too many vocational education courses for now.

 

Also Skillls Australia included aged care workers, disability workers and personal carers in their draft but unsurprisingly they were not included in the new SOL ( to stop International students choosing these courses or are these jobs just 'too low skilled'?

Many people working in these professions are unskilled and aquired work experience through practical work experience.

I used to work as an Assistant in Nursing (I'm qualified in Aged Care Work) and found most nursing homes to be absolutely desperate for aged care workers. Many workers were International students or people on working holiday visas.

 

Anyway, I'm in my last semester as a student myself and will have my Diploma in Community Welfare Work in July.

If WA chooses to include Welfare Worker (and maybe Youth Worker) on their SMP there might still be hope for many students who are devastated that their profession was removed from the new SOL.

I personally feel quite insulted by the 'generous transitional arrangements for International students' ( 18 months skilled graduate visa can be applied for til December 2012).

 

I can't find anything generous about this announcement and find it very arrogant and poorly worded.

 

Regards

 

 

I agree with you, and I hope you find PR at the end of your journey. I'm an international student paying over $75,000 to the University for my degree. Hopefully at the end (another 2.5 years to go) my degree will still be on the SOL, however, that is the risk we chose to take whilst in the UK.

 

Again, I find it hard to believe that they are happy to accept applications from abroad, however, us students that are paying massive amounts of $$$$ into the system, and are being qualified to Australian standards are, as it appears to me just a 'cash cow' for the country.

 

Good luck for your future

 

Steph

xxxx

 

ps My degree is still on the SOL, but I can't find any jobs advertised in this area:frown:

[Guest lindyverm04]

Hi hun

 

Sorry to say this, but only secondary school teachers are CSL so unless your skills assessment was secondary you are category 6 at the moment.

 

I am vocational teacher and in exactly the same position as you, not in new SOL, cant get sponsorship from Qld...so having to stick with family sponsorship and keeping fingers crossed.

 

Hoping for an offlist SMP place ! (2 chances though I think ; slim or none!)

 

Good luck x

 

Hi Pippa

 

If you don't mind me asking, when did you apply? Are we really going to have to wait 3+ years?