In this section, you will find:

• Links to global websites providing information about Immigration.
• Links to Australian websites providing local information about Australian immigration.
• Links to Pakistani immigration consultants.

If you find any interesting link related to this category, kindly mail it links@pakoz.com.auand we will add it to the list.

Australian Skilled Migration Program

By Sheikh Irfan (irio75@yahoo.com.au)

The scope of this section is to provide useful brief information to the people who intend to migrate to Australia. They can check if they are eligible and meet the criteria of making successful permanent residence visa application. Most of the material, presented here, has been extracted from Australian department of Immigration web site www.immi.gov.au and all the useful links have been provided on the left of the screen. More details can be found by clicking on these links and checking out further details regarding any particular topic or point.

Australian Migration Process:

This process is based on Points System and other eligibility criteria. Following is a breif examination of the two:

1-Points System:

You must pass points test by accumulating at least 120 marks. If you don't meet this requirement than you will not be able to make a valid visa application and it will be refused.Following are the factors which are responsible for determining that how many points you can obtain:

1.1-Age:

You must be between 18 to 45 years of age at the time of application.The following table lists the points you will be awarded based on your age group at the time you apply.

Table 1.1

Age	Points Awarded
18 to 29 years	30
30 to 34 years	25
35 to 39 years	20
40 to 44 years	15

1.2 Nominated Skilled Occupation:

Your occupation must be on  department of immigration's nominated occupation list and you must also get your qualification assessed by national assessment authority.This assessment must be positive and should reward you with 60,50 or 40 points.Please see the table below:

Table 1.2

Skill	Points Awarded	Requirements
For most occupations where training is specific to the occupation	60	In most cases you will have a qualification (such as a degree or trade qualification) and experience which meets the relevant Australian standards. Your qualifications and experience are also specifically related to your nominated occupation and you are able to meet any registration requirements in Australia. In some cases, experience without formal qualifications may be acceptable
For more general professional occupations	50	You must have a qualification equivalent to an Australian bachelor degree or higher qualification – but it need not be specifically related to your nominated occupation.
For other general skilled occupations	40	You must have a qualification equivalent to an Australian diploma or advanced diploma – but it need not be specifically related to your nominated occupation.

1.3-English Language Requirement:

A compulsory Enlish language test (IELTS) must be undertaken to determine your english language skills and the number of points that you can be rewarded.Please see the tables below:

Table 1.3(a)

Level of English	Required IELTS Test Results
Competent	A band score of at least six (6) for all four (4) components – speaking, reading, listening and writing.
Vocational	A band score of at least five (5) on all four (4) components – speaking, reading, listening, and writing
Functional	An average band score of at least 4.5 on all four (4) components – speaking, reading, listening, and writing

Table 1.3(b)

Level of English	Points Awarded
Competent	20
Vocational	15
Functional	Nil

1.4-Specific Work Experience:

If you have specific work experience regarding your nominated occupation than you might be able to claim extra 5 or 10 points.Please see the table below:

Table 1.4

Occupation / work experience	Points Awarded
If your nominated occupation is: worth 60 points under the skill part of the points test and you have worked in your nominated occupation, or a closely related 60 point occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), for at least three (3) of the four (4) years immediately before you apply.	10
If your nominated occupation is: worth 40, 50 or 60 points under the skill part of the points test and you have worked in any occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List, for at least three (3) of the four (4) years immediately before you apply.	5

1.5-Occupation In Demand/Job Offer:

If your nominated occupation is on department of immigration's occupation in demand list or you have a job offer from an Australian company than you might be rewarded an extra 15 or 20  points.Please see the table below:

Table 1.5

Occupation	Points
If your nominated occupation is: in demand (on the Migration Occupation in Demand List current either at the time your application is lodged or assessed) and you have a job offer for full-time employment in Australia in your nominated occupation from an organisation that has employed at least ten (10) people on a full-time basis for the 24 months immediately prior to the date you make your application.	20
If your nominated occupation is: in demand (on the Migration Occupation in Demand List current either at the time your application is lodged or assessed) and you do not have a job offer.	15

1.6-Australian Qualifications:

You can be awarded points for Australian qualification.Please see the table below:

Table 1.6:

Qualification	Points
You have completed an Australian doctorate at an Australian educational institution after a period of at least two (2) years full-time (two (2) academic years) while physically present in Australia.	15
You have: completed an Australian Masters or Honours degree (at least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution while physically present in Australia and prior to completing the Masters or Honours degree, you were awarded an Australian bachelor degree as a result of at least one year full-time study while physically present in Australia and the total period of full-time study in Australia was at least two (2) years (two (2) academic years)	10
You have completed full-time study in Australia for a total of at least two (2) years (two academic years) towards the award of a degree, diploma or trade qualification.	5