On 30th of March 2012, Australian Immigration Department announced more detailed information about Skill Select which to be implemented from 1 July 2012.
Skill Select is an online system that enables skilled workers interested in migrating to Australia to record their details to be considered for a skilled visa through an Expression of Interest (EOI). Intending migrants could be found and nominated for skilled visas by Australian employers or state and territory governments, or they could be invited by the Australian Government to lodge a visa application.
Skill Select is a major change to how Australia manages its skilled migration program.
Skill Select will ensure the skilled migration program is based on the economic needs of Australia. The Australian Government will be able to manage who is able to apply for skilled migration, when they are able to apply and in what numbers, on the basis of this need.
As a result, the immigration department office could significantly reduce the time taken to process a visa application.
Skill Select will also help address regional skill shortages. Skill Select allows intending migrants to indicate they are willing to live and work in regional Australia.
From 1 July 2012, the skilled migration subclasses will be simplified without the distinction between onshore and offshore applications. The skilled migration which to be introduced and used Skill Select include the following visa subclasses:
- Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186);
- Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (Subclass 187);
- Skilled-Nominated by State or Territory Government (Subclass 190);
- Skilled- Nominated or Sponsored (Provisional) (Subclass 489);
- Skilled Independent (Subclass 189);
- Business Sponsored Temporary (Long Stay) (Subclass 457).
For more information, please refer to the following link of DIAC http://www.immi.gov.au/skills/skillselect/ .
(Source from DIAC News released on 30 Mar 2012)
