THE MESSAGE . BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www . kalatas . com . au | Volume 7 Number 6 | MARCH 2017 IMMIGRATION
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ATTY . JESSIE ICAO
THE MESSAGE . BRINGING INTO FOCUS FILIPINO PRESENCE IN AUSTRALIA www . kalatas . com . au | Volume 7 Number 6 | MARCH 2017 IMMIGRATION
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Points Score for Migration and Occupation Ceiling
Immigration to Australia is complex . Prospective applicant in Australia or off shore will meet the required points score before making an expression of interest ( EOI ) and wait for the invitation of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection ( DIBP ) before allowed to apply as a skilled migrant .
As mentioned in my previous column , the procedures for an applicant for skilled independent migration ( subclass 189 ) visa include : a . Checking under the Skilled Occupation List ( SOL ) as only those occupations listed in the SOL can apply under the 189 visa . b . Getting a positive assessment of qualification from the assessing authority . For example , if the applicant is a computer programmer , an assessment of qualification from the Australian Computer Society ( ACS ) is required .
Expression of interest ( EOI ) with DIBP to apply as a skilled migrant . It is important that the applicant must have a score of at least 60 points when making an EOI , otherwise , DIBP will not invite the applicant . The
points score calculation is self- assessed and it is critical that points score is not bloated just to be invited as this will have a negative impact on the proper substantive application when it turned out the score claimed is not justifiable . d . If invited to apply , the applicant has sixty days to apply as a skilled migrant .
DIBP has an occupation ceiling which means that the applicant cannot be invited if the quota for that occupation has been reached . The ceiling refers to the skilled independent visa ; skilled regional sponsored visa and skilled or business or territory sponsored visa . It is suggested therefore for the applicant to apply well ahead of the first round of invitation as invitation is like the rule of first come first serve .
Another important consideration to note for applicant is that there are occupations that because
IMMIGRATION
ATTY . JESSIE ICAO
jessieicao1 @ gmail . com
of high levels of demand , they are subject to pro rata arrangements to ensure invitations within the programme year . These occupations require points score of more sixty ( 60 ) to be invited . This is particularly of interest to international students who needs to plan before completing their course as EOI is not a substantive application and will not entitle them to stay in Australia . They need to have a valid student visa to wait for the result of the EOI .
There is no ceiling for nurses and EOI invitations is quick including approval of visa as it is not subject to pro rata arrangement .
Jessie Icao ( jessieicao1 @ gmail . com ) is a practicing lawyer in the State of New South Wales and registered migration agent since 1993 [ MARN 9367993 ]. The information provided is of general nature and cannot be relied in its entirety . I suggest that you consult the relevant law or a registered migration agent .
The following occupations require points score of more than 60 :
Occupations
Auditors , company secretaries and Corporate Treasurer
ICT Business and System Analyst
Software and Applications Programmers
Other Engineering Professionals
Computer Network Professionals
Points score
There is no ceiling for nurses and EOI invitations is quick including approval of visa as it is not subject to pro rata arrangement .
70
65
65
65
65
Snap Poll :
Aussies divided over asylum-seekers
A snap poll revealed Australians are still divided over whether to admit into the country or reject asylum seekers held at the Manus Island and Nauru detention centres .
The snap poll was made by the SMS Morgan Poll last month which shows Australians are evenly divided as to whether asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru should be brought to Australia ( 50 %) or not ( 50 %). The special SMS Morgan Poll was conducted throughout a weekend ( February 17-19 ) with a cross-section of 1,266 Australians aged 18 +.
Respondents were asked : “ Do you think asylum seekers on Manus Island and Nauru should be brought here to Australia or not ?”
The vote according to elector preference showed that L-NP voters do not favour bringing in the asylum seekers ( L-NP voters – 23 % Yes ) while ALP voters were more favourable ( ALP – 68 % Yes ). Those aligned with the Greens also highly favour admitting the asylum-seekers ( 93 % Yes ).
By gender , women said Yes ( 58 %) while there were 41 % of males who answered Yes .
“ Australians are split down the middle on how to handle the asylum seekers currently housed on Manus Island and Nauru – 50 % of Australians think they should be brought to Australia and an equal counterweight , 50 % of Australians , say they shouldn ’ t ,” said Michele Levine , Chief Executive Officer , Roy Morgan Research
“ Unsurprisingly , these results fall heavily on party lines – 77 % of L-NP voters say that the asylum seekers shouldn ’ t be brought to Australia , while huge majorities of ALP voters ( 68 %) and Greens voters ( 93 %) say they should be brought to Australia ,” Levine said .
An analysis by state revealed that NSW voters have 51 % Yes and 49 % No ; Victoria have 52 % Yes and 48 % No ; Queensland showed 47 % Yes ; WA has 43 % Yes ; SA has 46 % Yes and Tasmania has 58 % Yes .
Full poll results can be seen at roymorgan . com .