Why did the General Skilled Migration visas change?
During the course of consultations on the evaluation, there was strong support for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the GSM programme by simplifying the current visa structure.
How has the structure changed?
There are currently 15 different GSM visa subclasses available to people who are either onshore or offshore, and who are wishing to apply to migrate to Australia.
Under the new visa structure, this will be reduced to nine visa subclasses four offshore and five onshore.
From 1 September 2007, the new structure will enable applicants to easily identify the visa subclass best suited to their circumstances.
Below is a quick guide to what is happening to the current visas under the new GSM visa structure:
New General Skilled Migration (GSM) Visas |
|
|---|---|
I was looking at applying for
|
I will now be applying for... |
| Skilled Independent (subclass 136) | Skilled Independent (subclass 175) |
| Skilled State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) | Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176) |
| Skilled State/Territory Nominated Independent (subclass 137) as permanent visa pathway from SIR | Skilled Regional (subclass 887) |
| Skilled Australian-sponsored (subclass 138) | Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176) |
| Skilled Independent Regional (subclass 495) OFFSHORE | Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) |
| Skilled Independent Regional (subclass 495) ONSHORE | Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) |
| Graduate Skilled (subclass 497) | Skilled Graduate (subclass 485) |
| Skilled Designated Area-sponsored (subclass 496) | Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) |
| Skilled Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen (subclass 861) | Skilled Independent (subclass 175) |
| Skilled Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen (subclass 862) | Skilled Sponsored (subclass 176) |
| Skilled Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand citizen (subclass 863) | Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 475) |
| Skilled Independent Overseas Student (subclass 880) | Skilled Independent (subclass 885) |
| Skilled Australian-sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 881) | Skilled Sponsored (subclass 886) |
| Skilled Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student (subclass 882) | Skilled Regional Sponsored (subclass 487) |
There will also be a new subclass for applicants who have studied at recognised educational institutions overseas and who have skills that are in high demand in Australia, the Skilled Recognised Graduate (subclass 476) visa.
More information on the GSM changes are available at the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship website.