Purdy, Hannah (LNG - AUS)

From: Timothy.Chandran@immi.gov.au
Sent: Thursday, 11 November 2010 12:34 PM
Subject: *** EMBARGOED UNTIL 1PM, THURSDAY, 11 NOVEMBER 2010 *** CHRIS BOWEN -
MEDIA RELEASE - NEW MIGRATION POINTS TEST TO BETTER ADDRESS
AUSTRALIA’S SKILLS NEEDS [SEC=UNCLASSIFIED]

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Attachments: 101110 Comparison table final.pdf

101110 Comparison
table final....

CHRIS BOWEN MP
FEDERAL MINISTER FOR IMMIGRATION AND CITIZENSHIP

MEDIA RELEASE
11 November 2010

NEW MIGRATION POINTS TEST TO BETTER ADDRESS AUSTRALIA’S SKILLS

NEEDS

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, today
announced a new points test to assess independent skilled migrants as
part of the Gillard Government’s ongoing commitment to reforming the
skilled migration program to deliver the skills Australia needs.

Mr Bowen said the new points test will emphasise the importance of
English, work experience and high level qualifications, and is designed
to ensure no one factor guarantees migration.

“These changes to the points test are an important next step in the
series of reforms to the skilled migration program announced by the
Government in February this year,” Mr Bowen said.

“The reforms set the foundations for a skilled migration program that
will be responsive to our economic needs and continue to serve
Australia’s interests in the medium to long term.”

The new points test has been formulated following extensive public and
stakeholder consultation, and research review. The review found the
existing points test led to a skewing of applications towards a small
number of occupations and a growing pipeline of applicants waiting for a
skilled migration visa.

“The existing points test has not always led to outcomes consistent with
the objectives of the skilled migration program,” Mr Bowen said.

“For example, the current test puts an overseas student with a short
term vocational qualification and one year’s work experience in
Australia ahead of a Harvard educated environmental engineer with three
years’ relevant work experience.

“The new points test will ensure we select the best and brightest people
from a large pool of potential migrants.”

The new test will also continue to recognise the additional value that
Australian education offers.

The new points test will complement the new skilled occupation list,
which came into effect on 1 July 2010, to deliver migrants with a mix of
1
 the skills and attributes needed to contribute productively in
Australia.

It is important to note that the points test only applies to one

component of the skilled migration program. Employer-sponsored visa
categories are not affected by changes to the points test.

The new points test 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.

More information on the proposed changes is available on the Department

of Immigration and Citizenship website at www.diac.gov.au.

Media Contact – Laura Stevens 0432 833 769

(See attached file: 101110 Comparison table final.pdf)

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General Skilled Migration points test

Old Points New Points

Test Test
(120 point (65 point pass
pass mark) mark)
Occupation
40 point occupation 40 no occupation points 0
50 point occupation 50
60 point occupation 60
Age
18-29 30 18-24 25
30-34 25 25-32 30
35-39 20 33-39 25
40-44 15 40-44 15
45 + ineligible 45-49 no points
English language
Competent English (IELTS 6) 15 Competent English 0
(IELTS 6)
Proficient English (IELTS 7) 25 Proficient English 10
(IELTS 7)
Superior English (IELTS 8) 25 Superior English 20
(IELTS 8)
Australian Employment
1 year in the past 2 10 1 year in the past 2 years 5
3 years in the past 4 years, 15 or 20 3 years in the past 5 10
depending on whether in a 60
point occupation
5 years in the past 7 15
Overseas Employment
3 years in the past 4, depending 5 or 10 3 years in the past 5 5
on whether in a 60 point
occupation
5 years in the past 7 10
8 years in the past 10 15
Professional Year 10 Professional Year 5
Education
Australian PhD 25 Australian PhD 20
Overseas PhD 0 Overseas PhD 20
Australian Bachelor + 15 Australian Bachelor Degree, 15
Masters/Honours or Bachelor +
+Masters/Honours
Overseas Bachelor or 0 Overseas Bachelor Degree, 15
Masters/Honours or Bachelor +
Masters/Honours
Australian Diploma 0 Australian Diploma 10
Australian AQF III/IV 0 Australian AQF III/IV 10
Offshore Apprenticeship 0 Offshore Apprenticeship 10
Australian Study Requirement 5 Australian Study 5
Requirement
Community Language Skills 5 Community Language 5
Skills
Regional Study 5 Regional Study 5
Partner Skills 5 Partner Skills 5
State or Territory Nomination 10 State or Territory 5
Nomination
Designated Area Sponsorship 25 Designated Area 10
Sponsorship
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