Articles on Australian Immigration by Ptlabs Consulting
The new Skilled Sponsored 176 visa - An introduction to what's changed
Date: 07 June 2007
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has formally annonuced the passmark for the new Skilled Sponsored subclass 176 visa.
A quick comparison between the soon-to-be-retired Skilled Australian Sponsored subclass 138, Skilled Onshore Australian Sponsored NZ Citizen subclass 862 and State Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) subclass 137 visas with the new 176 visa is as follows:
Points to note:
- English points: Specified passport holders (e.g. UK, NZ, Canada, USA, Ireland) will now only be eligible for 15 points unless a suitable IELTS result is obtained.
- Specific Work Experience: If nominated occupation is 60 points and work experience is closely related (even if not 60 points) for 3 out of 4 years, 10 points are awarded. Note that chart does not fully represent this due to space constraints.
- Spouse points: Interdependent partners are now recognized.
- A$100,000 investment for bonus points is no longer an option.
- MODL points require at least one year's experience in the MODL occupation or a closely related occupation, within the last four years. (Not shown in diagram as this is not very relevant for 176 visa applicants as MODL applicants will generally qualify for a 175 visa)
- Points for Australian Relative: Removed for 176 visa.
- Points for State/Territory Nomination: Introduced for 176 visa. Note the effective jump in the passmark for the soon-to-be-retired 137 visa from 70 to 90+10.
- Australia Work Experience points: A total of one year (instead of the present 6 months) of work experience in Australia will be needed.
- Australian qualification points (not shown in diagram due to complexity):
Applicants who have completed an Australian doctorate as a result of at least two years' study in Australia will now be eligible for 25 points.
To be eligible for 15 points, applicants must complete a total of three years' study in Australia that has resulted in the applicant completing:
a bachelor degree and a masters degree a bachelor degree and honours (at least second class (division 1)) or a bachelor degree with honours (at least second class (division 1)).
Any applicant who has one or more Australian degrees, diplomas or trade qualifications and who meets the two year study requirement will continue to be eligible for five points.
- Recent Work Experience (not shown in diagam as not part of points test): The new criterion will be uniform for all 40-, 50- and 60-point occupations, that is to have 12 or more months in a skilled occupation in the past 24 months.
- Assurance of Support (AoS): An applicant for the new 176 visa will not need an AoS.
- Sydney and Selected Areas Skills Shortage List (SSASSL): The SSASSL is no longer applicable for the new 176 visa.
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