Skilled Migration for Permanent Residence

All skilled visas are lodged at and processed by the Australian Department of Immigration at centres in Australia. None are processed by Australia’s Embassies or High Commissions or Consulates overseas. 

This visa is for migration independently of any specific employer sponsorships. Migrants are free to settle and establish themselves. Sate Sponsorship of your application may mean settling in that state.

The planning levels of visa grants annually is 72,450. This includes 24,000 achieving state sponsorship. 

Hallmark Immigration is very well placed to advise and assist skilled migrants. The firm is located in Sydney on the eastern seaboard, the hub of Australian commerce and opportunity.  NSW is Australia’s premier state....the oldest and most populated. On the ground in Sydney, Hallmark is positioned to be close to migration policy setting trends, regulation developments, local conditions being addressed by the regulations, and the labour market climate. 

The Mechanism

For those under 50 years of age, with competant English, holding and working in an occupation on the skilled occupation list, with a positive skill assessment of that by an assessing body, can approach the points test.

The points test threshold is 65 points. An application can be lodged up to 30 June 2012. However from 1 July 2012 an expression of interest in migration can be lodged for a small fee. The expression of interest is dealt with the the Skill Select Model administered by the Department of Immigration. In that Model the data is analysed and the Department then issues and invitation to make a formal application. It is expected that for some occupations the points required will be above the 65 points threshold.

It is worth noting that in the points test there is a significant advantage in achieving more than competent language skills. Competent language skill is indicated by a score of 6 on each of the four modules of the IELTS Test, reading writing, speaking, listening. There is an additional 10 points achieved by scoring 7 on each in one test. And there is an additional 20 points achieved by scoring 8.

Achieving State Sponsorship is an elective measure that can contribute to the point score.

 Hallmark Immigration is well placed to understand the volatility of the local scene in terms of policy and the current employment trends, on the ground, in Sydney, NSW, Australia. It understands the occupations and what it constitutes to be viewed as holding that occupation under the regulations. This is important to ensure the application is decision ready when lodged.

Professional assistance with the key factor in skilled migration is very beneficial. The key factor is the very very thorough classification of the occupation referring to codified requirements of that occupation. Then there is the negotiation of the requirements of the Assessing bodies prior to any lodgement. And then further there is application of the migration regulations to determine that you hold that occupation, matched to what you actually do and then the degree of experience you have.  The precise application of the points test follows.  Hallmark Immigration can materially assist in these most crucial steps.  This should be in advance of any lodgement of a visa application and expression of interest.

 And being in Australia (on location) Hallmark Immigration can materially assist with your representations for sponsorship from state governments, apart from NSW, including Victoria, ACT, Queensland and the other states. 

Engage Hallmark Immigration to find the most practical option for you and to commence and manage the whole process for you. It encompasses not only the primary applicant but also the family unit and any complications. Windows of opportunity need to be accessed.

Employer Nomination Scheme for Permanent Residence

These applications are lodged in the state where the employer is located. None are processed in Australian embassies or high commissions overseas.

The employer is pivotal in this process and when an offer of employment/contract is formed for an occupation on the ENSOL, a broader list than the Skilled Occupation List, a nomination application is lodged by the employer to the Department of Immigration.

The person offered employment can then apply for a visa under that Nomination. They need to be under 45, possess vocational English skills and to have worked a minimum of 3 years in that occupation.

There are two versions of this visa:

1. Offshore application where the applicant has not been working on a 457 visa for that employer, in which case the occupation needs to be assessed formally.

2. Onshore application where the applicant has been working say on a 457 for the employer for a minimum of 2 years or have held a series of 457 visas, for example, and worked for the current employer for 12 months at least.  There is no skill assessment involved as the applicant has proven their skill by time on the temporary working visa.

 This visa is the doyen of skilled visas and is processed quite quickly.  The planning level is 46,000 grants annually. 

Hallmark Immigration's practice in this area is quite extensive and this visa is seen as a pathway for 457 via holders in particular. 

There is the Regional version of the  above visas where there is a lower threshold to qualify and there is an obligation to live and work in a regional area. 

 International Students Studying in Australia

For international students the issues making your pathway to permanent residence very complicated are :

• CRICOS course classification... initial selection of studies...meeting your personal career goal

• Course variations and exemptions, and education institution reporting

• Imprecise terms of the two year study rule and course provider response

• Occupation selection in line with course relevance (concepts have shifted to "highly relevant" for Vetassess which is now work experience tested not merely qualifications tested)

• Volatility of the regulations and policy

• Points test precision in regard to English, regional points and relevant work experience points, professional year 

• Small window of opportunity to meet the extensive application formalities, “rapid fire”, on the completion of the studies

• Linkage of study and later skilled migration applications greatly diminished.

This makes it an imperative to seek professional migration advice before coming to Australia to study or very shortly after arrival, where your plans are for permanent residence ultimately.  Hallmark Immigration can provide professional guidance to you all the way through and watch for developments affecting you and your considerable investment and provide reassurance for your progression.  Grooming of the PR application and monitoring of your course progress towards your goal, must commence in the early stages. Sign on for this at Hallmark Immigration to work together all through your student years.  

Engage Hallmark Immigration to find the most practical option for you and to commence and manage the whole process for you. Some GSM applications can be "converted" after lodgement to the Employer Nomination category in some cases, where the opportunity presents. Call Hallmark.