General Skilled Migration (GSM)

            Applicants who nominate trade occupations (ASCO Group 4) can no longer have “vocational English” (5 in each of the IELTS bands). They must have “competent English” (6 in each IELTS band).

           Applicants applying with “concessional competent English” will need an average IELTS score of 6 across the 4 bands

NOTE:

For Subclass 475 (Skilled-Regional Sponsored) applicants, this will take effect from 1 July 2009.

For Subclass 487 (Skilled-Regional Sponsored), this will take effect from 1 January 2010. The reason for this later date for this subclass is that generally a Subclass 487 applicant “will currently be studying here in Australia. On the basis of that study, they have made a significant personal investment and commitment towards remaining in Australia.”

            Applicants applying with “concessional competent English” will no longer be restricted to being nominated by a State or Territory or sponsored by a person who resides in a State or Territory, in which arrangements are established for suitable English language training, nor will they be required to enroll in an English language course and pay the fee;

            Where a primary applicant is relying on partner points in the General Points Test, no points will be awarded if the partner has 'vocational English'. If claiming 'concessional competent English', the partner must also meet the new requirements as set out for primary applicants.
Employment - Work rights in Australia

Australian Permanent Residents
Australian permanent residents have unrestricted work rights and can remain in Australia indefinitely.

There are two forms of valid evidence that can be used to prove Australian permanent residency:
1. Permanent visa (i.e. visa label or a wet stamp in passport);
2. Certificate of Evidence of resident status.