From 1 July 2012 the Australian Government has made changes to the skilled migration program. If you apply for a visa to work in Australia, you will have to pass the points test. The points test is used to help Australia select people who have the skills and attributes it needs.
The number of points you need to pass the points test depends on the visa you apply for.
The minimum points for an Indian professional to be eligible for migration are 60.
You can be given points for a number of reasons, including your:
• Skills
• Age
• English Language Ability
• Occupation
• Australian work experience and Australian qualifications.
Introduction of new points test skilled migration visas
The six previously existing points test based skilled migration visa subclasses (175, 176, 475, 885, 886 and 487) are now consolidated into three new visa subclasses:
• Subclass 189 (skilled independent – permanent)
• Subclass 190 (skilled nominated – permanent)
• Subclass 489 (skilled regional – provisional).
Intending migrants, both in and outside Australia, may submit an expression of interest for subclass 189, 190 or 489 visas.
Introduction of SkillSelect
SkillSelect is an online service that was introduced on 1 July 2012 and involved significant changes to the skilled visa application process. Intending migrants first need to submit an expression of interest and then need to be invited to apply for one of the new points tested skilled migration visas. Further information about these changes is available.
See: http://www.skillselect.gov.au
Skilled migration points test requirements under SkillSelect
The three points-tested skilled migration visa subclasses (189, 190 and 489) requires intending migrants pass a points test to be invited to apply for a visa. The points are based on the applicant’s attributes at the time of invitation rather than at the time of application lodgement or decision.
The pass mark is the minimum number of points required to be eligible for a points tested skilled migration visa and is subject to change in response to Australian labour market needs. The current pass mark can be found on the department’s website.
Under SkillSelect, the ability to meet the points test mark will not guarantee an invitation to apply. Invitations will be issued periodically to the highest ranking expressions of interest subject to occupation ceilings.
An expression of interest is not an application for a visa. If you are invited to apply, you will have to demonstrate that the claims in your expression of interest are correct.
Check this online pdf to determine if you have the qualifying points to apply!
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/points-tested-migration-fact-sheet.pdf
