OZ Migration Policies change

The Australian government has announced a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) proposed to come into effect from July 1, 2010. The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Australian Government, includes only 181 occupations.

The proposed SOL has excluded occupations such as cookery, hairdressing and community welfare; these were the courses that have been very popular amongst the Indian students because it offered an easy pathway to permanent residency in Australia upon completion of two years of studies in these fields.

The new SOL will affect all students who have been granted student visas on or after February 9, 2010 and were aiming at obtaining Australian permanent residency upon completion of these popular courses. They would no more be able to get the permanent residency even if they wish to obtain permanent residency using such qualifications.

All the students who were holding the student visa before February 8, 2010 have been given a big relief as these students would have time till 31 December 2012 to complete their studies and apply for the permanent residence or Skilled - Graduation [Temporary] [subclass 485] provisional visa. Any student who fails to apply for these visas before the stipulated deadline would lose the chance for obtaining the permanent residency as there are no further extensions possible in any case.

Skilled professionals seeking migration to Australia without using the education pathway can apply under the current SOL before July 1, 2010.

Source: www.hindustantimes.com/hthorizons