Migrants with IT skills better off under changes to visa entry system

Industry bodies have praised changes to the visa system which will allow more migrants with IT skills to move to Australia.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the changes, which are part of the new skilled occupations list, would allow industries to get the skilled workers they need. Instead of basing an applicant’s skills on 14 specific computer occupations, the new list has job titles which are more generic. They include developers, programmers, software engineers, business and systems analysts.

The changes are expected to be introduced in July. “We intend to fundamentally change the way we target skilled migrants to restore integrity to the skilled migration program,” Senator Evans said.

Full Story: http://www.arnnet.com.au/article/347300/migrants_it_skills_better_off_under_changes_visa_entry_system_/

From the Department of Innigration and Citizenship...

What is the Skilled Occupation List?

If you wish to apply for any General Skilled Migration visa, you must nominate an occupation which is on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) at the time you lodge your application.

The Skilled Occupation List details:

• the number of points awarded for each occupation
• the name and address of the Australian organisation approved to assess a person's skills and/or qualifications for migration purposes for each occupation

More information: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/skilled-occupations/skilled-occupations.htm