Latest Changes in IELTS Score for Australia Immigration

With start of the New Year, Australia’s immigration department made modifications to the English skill prerequisite for applicants who would immigrate in the General Skilled Migration Visa category.

Following are the changes, effected from 01 January 2010:

1. English skill prerequisite for all GSM visa applicants who propose trade occupations have greater than before. Now it is necessary to put on a minimum of 6.0 points on Competent English on every of the 4 modules of an IELTS test.

2. Candidates would not increase points for the General Points Test for vocational English. Previously, there was a condition of receiving a least of 5 points for vocational English on every module of an IELTS test.

3. A state or territory would no longer limit future immigrants claiming concessional competent English to accomplish the condition of receiving sponsorship or nomination.

4. Furthermore, if applicant intends to submit an application with concessional competent English, he will need to get an average of 6 points in IELTS test.

5. Main applicants would not be rewarded with points in the General Points Test if they rely on their partner points; given that the afterward have vocational English.

6. The English language standard for future immigrants applying under Skilled-Regional Sponsored GSM Visa class has been enlarged from an average of 5.5 points to an average of 6.0 points in an IELTS test.

Thus one thing is obvious that potential immigrants planning to enter Australia under the General Skilled Migrant Visa category would now need to have higher level of IELTS or English proficiency. On the other hand, the new requirements will only be relevant to applicants who have filed their immigration applications after January1, 2010. Applications filed before the initiation of the changes would not require to meet these standards!

Latest Skills Assessment Requirements For Australian Visas

Starting from January 1, 2010, applicants in certain visa subclasses are required to undergo new skills appraisal done by the appropriate assessing authority as appropriate for their nominated occupations. Future immigrants applying under the following subclasses are bound to have their skills assessed as indicated by the new changes:

Skilled- Independent Subclass 885:
Mostly a permanent visa, this visa is issued to people who have ability and work experience to be able to migrate to Australia. A person can apply for this visa only if he is previously in Australia on a legal visa. It also requires the candidate to be in the state at the time of granting the permit. A Points System evaluates this visa. To be very specific, the applicants are requisite to gain minimum 120 points to be entitled to get this visa.

Skilled- Sponsored Subclass 886:
So as to be qualified to obtain this visa, an applicant must have sponsorship from a family member or relative previously living in Australia or from the government, whichever state or territory. A Points System also evaluates this visa, where minimum of 100 points ought to be obtained in order to pass.

Skilled- Regional Sponsored Subclass 487:
With this visa, a person can additional apply for a permanent Skilled-Regional Visa after he has resided in Australia for a time of two years, and additionally engaged in permanent work for 1 year in a specific regional area. A minimum of 100 points is required to increase by the applicants so as to get this visa. The particular visa class replaced the two of the subclasses, viz. 495 and 496 in the year 2007.

457 Visa Ratio Among Medical and Computing Professionals

As far as Australian Immigration is concerned, it has been found that medical practitioners such as those of nurses and trainee doctors together with computing professionals are the highest in figure to apply. Commonly known as the 457 visa list, it did see a small rise in the numbers in late October and November but it cannot be measured as adequate enough when compared to the earlier numbers. In addition, one of the reasons for this was the employers getting conversant in the new rules and regulations brought out by the DIAC.

A new report on temporary workers in Australians catered proof of the amends made to have had an impact on the regular income which has increased from AU$74,700 to AU$85,300 in the same year during this particular period. This report released by Chris Evans, the Immigration Minister for Australia.

The 457 visas is one of the several visa programs offered by the Australian government to be a magnet for immigrants who are skilled and qualified and could contribute to the Australian economy. The current changes in the pay schemes can be considered as one of the numerous motives that the country is trying to project, particularly when it is under constant criticism.

Immigrating to Australia? Processing Timelines

This blog deals with the information on Processing Timelines for those Immigrating to Australia. You may also write your timelines in the comments below in order to guide others.
Consider the following cases to have a quick look of the Processing Timelines:
1. If the future applicant has applied for an onshore or offshore GSM visa previous to the end of the year 2009, has his/her chosen occupation present on the Critical Skills List, then the processing time would take around one year from the lodgment date for the submission to be finalized.
2. Your application will not be concluded before the end of the year 2012, if the chosen application does not lie in the Critical Skills List and you have applied for an offshore GSM visa in the later part of the year 2009.
3. The similar case, i.e., if the nominated application is not present on the Critical Skills List, and the applicant has submit an application for an onshore GSM visa later in 2009, the processing time may even go to the last part of 2011 for his application to get finalized.
The processing times stated in this blog must not be regarded as an official affirmation from any legalized body. Though, the Processing Times are subject to change, depending upon the case study of potential applicants.
Note: Please note that Visa Subclasses 476 and 887 are excepted from the priority processing changes

Working As a Pastry Cook in Australia

Profession of a Pastry Cook is demanding, rewarding and stimulating at the same time. A Pastry Chef is requisite to bake pie items like cakes, pastries, cookies, brownies, biscuits and so on. This occupation has lots of creativity with it.
Basic Requirements:
The claimant needs to have an AQF Certificate III together with the other formal qualifications.Cake Decorator is one more specialization listed in the profession of Pastry Cook Other tasks of a Pastry Cook may include
• Weighing components and preparing the bakery products compliant with the set quantity.
• Form pastry products and knead, mature, mould and cut them for that reason.
• Take advantage of the baking and rolling equipments.
• Taking care of the mixing times and the hotness
• Beautify the baking products with appropriate icing and other substances.
• Glazing buns and pastries.
• Making appropriate use of microwaves, and forming machines for muffins and wafers.
• Know the suitable technique to mold dough
• Operating equipment for cutting biscuits
• Load parched products into ovens
• Proper clean-up of the machines and other equipments
Occupation List:
• The occupation is listed on the Skilled Occupations List • Incorporated in the Migration occupations in Demand List
Skilled Regional Sponsored:
The applicant can acquire sponsorship from relative living in the concerned area. Temporary Business Sponsorship (Get sponsorship for a 457 Visa) The applicant might be nominated by the company under the Employer Nomination Scheme
Assessment Authority:
The candidate must have their skills assessed from Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) - the applicable assessment authority for the occupation.
The job looks pretty exciting. If you really want to fulfill your dreams and work as a Pastry Cook, then just visit Australian Immigration