This post is a continuation of my previous post regarding the new points test by the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) which is set to apply to permanent residency applicants from 1 July 2011. If you are a current international student looking to apply after this date, this post should shed some light on whether you can count yourself in the running.

I am going to take into account only 5 (FIVE) criteria that are likely to form the basis of your eligibility. The proposed pass mark for the new points test is 65, however, there is no guarantee that this will not change in the future.

You may download the original forms here.

Age

(max: 30 points)

The new points test is designed to benefit people within the age group of 25-32 years old, as this group is deemed the most contributive to the economic development of Australia. The points breakdown is as follows:

• 18-24 years old: 25 points
• 25-32 years old: 30 points
• 33-39 years old: 25 points
• 40-44 years old: 15 points
• 45-49 years old: 0 points

English language

(max: 20 points)

As outlined in my previous post, the DIAC is introducing Superior English—a new classification of English language ability—which is equivalent to an IELTS score of 8.0 in each of the four bands (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). This opens up the opportunity for applicants with exceptional English language skill to claim the necessary points to obtain permanent residency. The full breakdown of points attainable in this criterion is as follows:

• 6.0 in each band: 0 points
• 7.0 in each band: 10 points
• 8.0 in each band: 20 points

Australian work experience

(max: 15 points)

This needs to be an occupation closely related to the new SOL.

• 1 year or more: 5 points
• 3 years or more: 10 points
• 5 years or more: 15 points

Note: There is no mention that this needs to be full-time. However, based on Form 1119 currently in use, work experience is only considered if full-time and I suspect the same will apply on the new system as well.

Overseas work experience

(max: 15 points)

This similarly needs to be an occupation closely related to the new SOL.

• 3 years or more: 5 points
• 5 years or more: 10 points
• 7 years or more: 15 points

Note: Again, no mention of this having to be full-time.

Qualifications

(max: 20 points)

The major change is that both Bachelor and Masters degrees are now awarded the same number of points.

• Australian diploma, AQFIII/IV or recognised offshore apprenticeship: 10 points
• Bachelor, Bachelor w/ Honours or Masters degree: 15 points
• PhD: 20 points

Recognition of Australian Study

(max: 5 points)

A candidate is automatically awarded 5 points after studying 2 years full-time in Australian institution.

Other points

You may claim additional points if you happen to meet the requirements for the following criteria. More information may be found on Form 1119.

• Designated language (5 points)
• Partner skills (5 points)
• Professional Year (5 points)
• State/territory government sponsorship (5 points)
• Family or state/territory government to regional Australia (10 points)
• Study in a regional area (5 points)

Possible scenarios of a candidate passing the points test

The new rules are undoubtedly penalising many applicants, but you still stand a chance of passing the 65-point mark if you are one of the following:

• a Bachelor/Masters graduate (15 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 18-24 (25 points) with an IELTS score of 8.0 in each band (20 points).
• a Bachelor/Masters graduate (15 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 25-32 (30 points) with an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band (10 points) and at least 1 year of Australian work experience in a closely nominated occupation (5 points).
• a PhD graduate (20 points) with a minimum of 2 years study (5 points) aged 25-32 (30 points) with an IELTS score of 7.0 in each band (10 points)

Of course, other combinations exist which you may work out from the information above.

On 11 November 2010, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) introduced a new points test aimed at applicants of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas, including Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) and Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visas. The new scheme is set to take place after 1 July 2011 and is expected to benefit candidates with proficient English language skills and significant work experience. You may read about the changes in detail on the fact sheet and FAQ provided in the immigration website.

If you are a current international student who is looking to apply for permanent residency after 1 July 2011, it is very important to familiarise yourself with the new points system. I will highlight some high-level changes and how they could impact your chances in the PR hunt:

Family sponsorship is no longer eligible for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa

Under the current GSM regulations, candidates who are unable to meet to pass mark criteria of 120 in the Skilled – Independent (subclass 885) visa are eligible to apply for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa with a lower pass mark of 100. Candidates may be sponsored by either family or state/territory government.

Under the new GSM regulations, however, family members are no longer eligible to sponsor candidates for Skilled – Sponsored (subclass 886) visa. If a candidate is still unable to meet the pass mark, s/he will have to look for state/territory government willing to sponsor him/her.

No points awarded for nominating skilled occupations in the Skilled Occupations List (SOL)

The current GSM regulations may award 40, 50 or 60 points depending on a candidate’s nominated occupation when applying for PR. This is no longer the case with the new points test in place, where points are no longer awarded for nominating an occupation in the SOL. Instead, a candidate is only required to nominate an eligible occupation in the SOL in order to apply for PR. To those uninformed, the number of eligible occupations on the SOL has been trimmed from over 400 to just 181.

Bachelor, Bachelor with Honours and Masters qualifications receive the same number of points

Are you thinking of taking further study to claim those valuable points? If you’re a Bachelor planning on studying Masters to gain competitive advantage for PR, forget about it. Having a Masters degree is not going to boost your chances over Bachelor graduates when it comes to PR application. If you have a PhD, though, it will, but only marginally (5 points).

The introduction of Superior English – IELTS 8 in each of the 4 bands: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking

Under the current GSM regulations, the highest points that may be awarded out of English proficiency is 25 points. This is achieved by an IELTS result of 7.0 or higher in each of the 4 bands: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking. This is classified as Proficient English.

The new GSM regulation introduces a higher classification of English language ability—Superior English—achievable by an IELTS score of 8.0 or higher in ALL FOUR bands. I estimated that a fresh Bachelor/Masters graduate with less than a year of Australian work experience in his/her nominated occupation and will be applying for PR independently after 1 July 2011 would require Superior English to meet the minimum pass mark.

I am an international student looking to apply for PR after 1 July 2011. Do I still stand a chance?

Yes, but the door is closing. The high standards imposed by the DIAC will require you to fight for a higher IELTS score or gain the necessary work experience before you can meet the minimum pass mark. There is a bit of good news in that transitional arrangements for existing international students are still in place, which means that they will still be able to apply for Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa upon graduation to stay in Australia for 18 months to gain the necessary work experience.

If you expect to graduate in 2012 or later, you may hope that the points scheme will change again. The situation looks bleak at this stage, however, and I do not recommend waiting too long for things to change. It probably will, but not for the better.