Northern Territory - State Migration Plan

The Northern Territory has now also announced its state migration plan - click here for details.

Also have a look at http://www.migration.nt.gov.au/ to see what else is going on in the top end.

New Points Test

The new points test has finally been released and it is scheduled to take effect from 1 July 2011 (at least there is some notice this time).

As a service to its members the MIA (www.mia.org.au) provided the following summary of it:

• Distinction between 40/50/60 point occupations abolished, those points removed from test
• Age points adjusted to reflect productive working years rather than youth
• Additional 10 point differential introduced for “Superior English” language ability (IELTS 8)
• Additional points for extended periods of employment in Australia
• Additional points for longer periods of professional experience generally
• Considerable additional points for university graduates, particularly for applicants with PhDs
• Relative advantages of trade and degree qualified occupations have been reversed
• Regional nomination and family sponsorship points reduced
• No indication of difference between independent and sponsored pass marks at this stage
• Pass mark of 65

There is a fact sheet explaining how it works on the DIAC website - click here.

There is already some criticism that it is "underweight" for trade occupations and places too much emphasis on the IELTS score. See for example the press release from the Australian Industry Group.

Like all new things we will have to see how this goes - is the criticism warranted? Is it out of balance .... only time will tell.

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.

High Court - fairness in offshore processing

The High Court has today found that some asylum seekers being held in offshore detention will have rights of judicial review (i.e. only if there is an error of law).

The case is going to have huge political ramifications as one of the purposes for offshore processing is that it (was thought until today) that applicants had no recourse to the Court system.

The actual case is at:
Plaintiff M61/2010E v Commonwealth of Australia
Plaintiff M69 of 2010 v Commonwealth of Australia
[2010] HCA 41

Although it might be easier to read what some of the media are saying about it:

• News.com.au
• Sydney Morning Herald
• ABC
• The Australian
• Uniting Church

Another example of the separation of powers in action - no wonder the government hates it!

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.

ACT - Migration Plan

The Australian Capital Territory ("ACT"...better known as Canberra) also announced its migration plan this week. To be eligible for ACT sponsorship you will need to have:

• an occupation on the State Migration Plan (SMP) Skills List;
• skills and experience that will be of benefit to the ACT economy;
• sufficient English language ability which will provide reasonable employment opportunities in the current ACT labour market;
• an occupation with sufficient employment opportunities in an industry relevant to the ACT at time of lodgement;
• sufficient financial resources to settle in the ACT while seeking employment;
• a demonstrated commitment to living and working in the ACT for at least 2 years; and
• met all Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) visa requirements for General Skilled Migration External Link.
  

For more information look at the ACT Business and Industry Development website.

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.

Victoria - State Migration Plan

Today, the state of Victoria announced its State Migration Plan.
This basically means that the terms of an agreement between Victoria and DIAC have been finalised.

Under the Victorian plan: "...the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year. For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants."

The Victorian eligibility lists can be found HERE and there is more info about the plan on http://www.liveinvictoria.vic.gov.au/ .

Creative commons attribution for the photograph.