Changes to the General Skilled Migration Programme

Changes to the General Skilled Migration programme (GSM) will be introduced on 1 September 2007. People who have made an application for a skilled visa on or before 31 August 2007 will not be affected by the changes.

Changes will include:

increasing the English language threshold for GSM visa applicants
rewarding GSM visa applicants who have very good English language proficiency
greater emphasis on skilled work experience
introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates
simplifying the GSM visa structure.
The threshold level of English language proficiency will be raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent) on all four components. However, applicants applying for trade occupations will be required to meet the current threshold of an IELTS score of 5.

Under the points test system, bonus points will be given to applicants who achieve English language scores above the threshold level and additional points will be allocated for skilled work experience in Australia.
Note: Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) points will only be awarded to applicants with at least 12 months experience in their nominated occupation or one that is closely related.

To ensure skilled migrants have the skills Australian employers need, there will be tighter requirements on links between study, work experience and nominated occupation.

International students who are unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa will have an opportunity to apply for an 18 month Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) to build on their skills and work experience. This visa will have unrestricted work rights.

The changes aim to ensure that overseas students who decide to stay on in Australia after completing their studies have a much better chance of competing for jobs in their chosen vocation.

There are currently 15 GSM visa subclasses available to people onshore and offshore, who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia. Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa subclasses - four offshore and five onshore. This new structure enables applicants to more easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances.

http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/changes/index.htm

correct me if im wrong..but these changes that are to be implemented on sept actually sounds more better and a bit more 'fairer' than the current one...u know more PRO for the international students grads..

i mean i just calculated and found out i'll get more points thru these changes than the current system duh!;oP hehe doesnt that mean the new changes actually makes it easier to gain PR?well hopefully that applies to all..

they do say they be takin away the MODL for courses like accounting but the 18 mth skilled-grad visa to gain exp(and maybe use this time to try and get higher scores in IELTS if we didnt do that great before?) sounds good?esp for ppl who dun get enuf points in the 1st place?

anyways dun take my word for it..read urself and know!:oD hehe..and someones PLS inform me if im mistakin bad news for good news :o| hehe..well i def think its more good news for (most?hope so)future grads ..but for now those who are concerned abt such stuffs..they can shudder at the thot of wat the new pass and pool marks will be for the new visa sub classes..that is if they change those too..still deciding re :o| hehe

good day!and oh yeah do come to australia..its a nice place ;o)..but stay away from sydney ;oP(dun ask me why ;oP hehe)..well if u want(and need) more POINTS..study in regional places(and no there aint just kangaroos there..dun forget the koalas! ;oP hehe)like adelaide..tasmania etc :oD

Don't get me wrong Dannah, I take it that you're a guy but for GOD's sake stop this stupid ;oP and :oD thingies plz. That's so fekin gay and girly at the same time. Nothing personal but I've seen u doing so on a number of occasions, nothing personal.
I've always wanted to visit Australia so any ideas on if Sydney would be the best city or Melbourne/Adelaide/Brisbane/Canberra or Perth?