The Migration Institute of Australia recently ran a series of presentations in regards to the General Skilled changes. Peter Speldwinde, who is a senior DIAC Officer, presented an Overview on the changes, which we have covered in previous posts.

Mr Speldwinde also covered the State and Territory Migration Plans. We will continue to review all information that is released and will advise our clients as soon as we have new information.

Below is a summary of what was covered:

• With the introduction of a more targeted SOL, the Department will look to develop State and Territory Migration Plans to provide states/territories more flexibility to sponsor applicants for a broad range of occupations which will not be on the new SOL.

• The Plans will be in the form of Memoranda of Understandings between the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, and the relevant state/territory government minister.

• These plans will specify the number of applicants each state/territory government can nominate, and which occupations they can nominate skilled migrants for.

• State and Territory governments will identify occupations which are in demand in their jurisdiction.

• Plans will provide states and territories with flexibility to address specific skills shortages.

• These plans will be in place by mid 2010 to coincide with implementation of the new targeted SOL.

• Under the current priority processing Direction, applicants sponsored under a State or Territory Migration Plan are given the second highest priority.

Mr Speldwinde finished his presentation with a quote from Senator Chris Evans, the Minister for Immigration & Citizenship on the direction of Skilled Migration in the future:

… I have asked my Department to explore the feasibility of introducing a new system where applicants initially put forward their claim for skilled migration, and are then selected as candidates by employers, by State and Territory governments, or by the Commonwealth.

That way we marry demand with supply, the best outcome for all concerned. That is what I mean by immigration being the job matching agency for the nation, connecting employers to the global labour market where skills cannot be sourced locally. (Senator Chris Evans, Changes to Australia's skilled migration program, 8 February 2010, Australian National University)

AMVL joined in the festivities at the Brisbane Welcomes International Students Event which was held in Brisbane on Saturday, March 6th.

There was a fantastic turnout of students from around the world, with students experiencing Australian Wildlife and receiving helpful advice for their stay in Australia.

The ABC covered the story, which can be viewed here.

You can also check it out on You Tube.

AMVL staff were on hand to talk to students about their options on completion of their study. Check out our photo’s from the day!