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Changes to Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa
Effective: 27 October 2008
Changes relating to the provision of evidence of English language ability for the Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa are being introduced from 27 October 2008. People who have made an application for a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa before 27 October 2008 will not be affected by the changes.
People lodging an application for a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) on or after 27 October 2008 must provide evidence at the time they lodge their application that they have met the relevant English language standard.
The standard for professionals, para-professionals and managerial occupations is ‘competent’ English (a score of at least six (6) on each of the four (4) components of the International English Language Test Scheme (IELTS) test or equivalent standard in a specified test).
For people who nominate an occupation in the Major Group IV in the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations, the standard is ‘vocational’ English (a score of at least five (5) on each of the four (4) components of the IELTS test).
IELTS test results must be no more than two (2) years old at the time of application.
This is a departure from the current regulations which allow an applicant to apply having only booked an English language test. Please note that from 27 October 2008, applicants will need to provide evidence of English language ability when lodging their application. Failure to do so may result in applicants being unable to satisfy the criteria for this visa, and this application may be refused.
Exception: Applicants who hold an eligible passport from one of the following specified countries are not required to submit evidence of their English language ability: Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom (UK), United States of America (USA).
For an assessment on your eligibility to apply for an onshore Skilled Visa based on your Australian study, please email Amanda@australianmigrations.com
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