Frequently Asked Questions – Proposed Skilled Migrant Selection Model (the Model)
The following FAQs relate to the government’s decision to implement a new skilled migration selection model based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation to apply. The proposal is in an early stage of development and consultation. Although the basic features are settled, further changes are possible and the following must not be taken as a final description of how the new selection model will operate. In particular, no action of any kind should be taken on the basis that this will be the final model. The minister may recommend to the Governor-General in-Council amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the final model.
What is the Model?
The Australian Government has decided on a major reform in the way Australia selects skilled migrants, t
he Skilled Migrant Selection Model (the Model). The Model will build upon and draw together the suite of reforms to the skilled migration program over the past three years to deliver the skills Australia needs.
The Model will be an electronic system based upon a two-stage process. Prospective applicants will first submit claims for skilled migration by an online EOI and subsequently be invited to make a visa application if they have the skills and qualifications needed in the Australian labour market. This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent, family or state/territory sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.
Once invited, the Model will ensure a match between the number of applicants and the number of available program places. This will result in streamlined processing times.
What is an EOI?
An EOI is an online expression of interest for skilled migration to Australia. It is how prospective applicants will register their interest in applying for a skilled visa.
Prospective applicants would provide basic biographical and other information such as occupation, det
ails of work experience and level of English language ability on the online EOI form. Those expressing interest in independent, family sponsored and/or state/territory sponsored skilled migration would need to submit their claims against the points test. Prospective applicants submitting an EOI are able to indicate whether they want to be considered for independent/family, state/territory and/or employer sponsored migration (on either a temporary or permanent basis). A prospective applicant may register interest in one or more visa program depending on their eligibility and personal preferences.
How will the Model work?
Stage one
Prospective applicants express their interest in applying for a skilled visa through an online EOI form. They will be required to indicate categories of skilled migration they are interested in. These details would be stored in a database, which would be accessible by the
and approved employers will only be able to access the details of those who have nominated interest i
n those respective migration categories.
Stage two
Selected EOIs would be invited to lodge an application. Prospective applicants may be selected by the department for Independent or Family sponsored migration; or state or territory government agencies for state sponsored migration or a state sponsored regional provisional visa. Alternatively, employers may contact prospective migrants to arrange sponsorship for permanent employer sponsored migration or a subclass 457 visa.
The EOI database will provide a central repository of prospective migrants. This would enable employers to easily identify, compare and establish contact with potential skilled workers.
State and territory governments would select prospective migrants from the database if they have available places in their State/Territory Migration Plan approved by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
Employers will be able to sponsor a prospective migrant, including one identified through the Model, at any time using the current application process.
Would I need to submit an EOI?
It is proposed that all prospective skilled migrants seeking an independent, family sponsored or state/territory sponsored visa will need to submit an EOI and be issued with an invitation in order to lodge a visa application. Prospective skilled migrants seeking employer sponsored visas may want to submit an EOI if they have not yet found an employer to sponsor them. This is not a mandatory requirement if they already have an employer sponsor. The following table provides a summary:
Independent/family sponsored 457 Permanent
employer
sponsored
State/territory
sponsored
Regional
sponsored
(Provisional)
Yes
Must submit an EOI No
EOI optional
No
EOI optional
Yes
Must submit an EOI
Yes
Must submit an EOI
Step 1c
Independent/
family sponsored
The system
automatically
issues invitations.
State and territory
governments
The system
automatically
issues invitations to
prospective
applicants selected
by state/territory
governments by the
database.
Step 2
Invitees/
prospective
applicants
lodge visa
applications,
which is then
processed as
normal.
S tep 1b
Independent/
family sponsored
EOIs are
electronically ranked
according to points
est score.
t
Employers
Search the database
manually and contact
prospective
pplicants directly.
a
State and territory
governments
Search the database
manually.
Step 1a Prospective applicant lodges an EOI.
Who would be able to submit an EOI?
Any prospective skilled migrant would be able to submit an EOI provided that, at the time of submission of the EOI, they believe they meet the necessary visa requirements. An applicant must meet certain requirements including the minimum pass mark under the points test to receive an invitation to apply for an independent or family or state/territory sponsored visa.
If invited to apply for a visa, an applicant must either be outside Australia, or be lawfully in Australia to make a valid application.
Could I submit an EOI in Australia? What requirements would I have to meet?
An EOI may be submitted at anytime from anywhere in the world. However, if submitting an EOI in Australia it is important to note that:
•the EOI is not a visa application, and you would not be granted a bridging visa
•if you are invited to lodge an application you must meet the requirements to be granted
a visa
•one of these requirements is that you must be lawfully in Australia.
How would I submit an EOI?
Expressions of Interest would be submitted online through the department’s website.
Would I need to provide a statement expressing my interest?
No, submission of the mandatory details requested in the EOI would be sufficient to express your interest. The EOI is comprised of objective criteria such as English language ability, age and years of skilled work experience.
Would there be a form I can post in?
No. Under the Model, it is intended that all EOIs and any subsequent visa applications will only be made electronically.
Who would have access to the details in the EOI database?
As part of the EOI process, all prospective skilled migrants would be asked to select the skilled visas they are interested in.
By expressing interest in either a state/territory or employer sponsored visa, prospective applicants would be consenting to state/territory governments and/or employers accessing their details from the database. Information visible to these parties would be highlighted as part of the EOI form.
Applicants who express interest solely in independent or family sponsored migration would have their information visible only to the department.
Would I have to attach documents?
No. Documents are not required when submitting an EOI. At the point of the EOI process, the claims you would make as part of your EOI would not be verified.
If you are invited to lodge an application for a skilled visa, you must upload documents as part of the application process.
Would I have to complete the job ready program before I submit an EOI?
If your occupation and circumstances require you to complete the Job Ready Program, you should satisfy this requirement prior to lodging an EOI. It is proposed that you would be required to lodge your visa application within two months of the date of invitation.
If you did not lodge a visa application within this time period your invitation would be considered null and void. Your EOI would remain in the database for the remainder of the two years from the date you submitted your EOI and you may be eligible for selection in a subsequent invitation round during this period.
Would I have to complete a skills assessment and/or an English language test before I submit an EOI?
Yes. Your EOI will need to be based upon facts as they stand at the time you express interest in migrating. If you are invited to submit a visa application, it is envisaged that you would have two months to finalise all necessary documentation and to lodge your application. The invitation would expire at the end of two months.
How long would my EOI stay on the database?
An EOI would generally remain in the database for two years after submission. An EOI would be removed prior to the expiry of this period if a permanent or provisional visa has been granted.
The below table summarises the period of time an EOI would remain on the database:
Granted a 457 visa Granted a
permanent
employer
sponsored visa
Invited for a state
or territory
sponsored visa
Invited for an
Independent or
family
sponsored visa
Not invited
EOI would not be
removed from the database until either:
- the two year expiry period elapses*
or
removed from the
database upon
visa grant.
EOI would be
removed from the
database upon visa
grant, even if
granted a
provisional
(regional) visa.
EOI would be
removed from
the database
upon visa grant.
EOI would be
removed from the
database two
years after
submission.
Prior to the expiry
of the two year
period, applicants
could elect to
renew their EOI.
What if my circumstances change after lodging my EOI?
If your circumstances change after lodging your EOI and before you are invited to lodge a visa applicat
ion, you would be required to update your information in the database. Updates to your skills would ensure that any documentation you submit in respect of a visa application is consistent with the information on the database. This may increase your score on the points test, therefore improving your chance of being issued with an invitation to lodge a visa application.
If the details you provide in your visa application do not match those contained in your EOI, you may not be granted a visa even if you meet the threshold criteria.
Ranking and selecting in the Model
How would EOIs be ranked?
EOIs for points tested visas would be ranked in accordance with the points achieved on the skilled migration points test, a mechanism that assesses a skilled migrant’s level of human capital by their age, level of qualifications, English language ability and work experience. In this regard, the prescribed pass mark for a points tested visa category will only represent the minimum standard requir
ed. This will ensure that the best applicants in each occupation are identified and selected first.
More information on the Points Test is available.
See:v.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm
To ensure that every EOI has a unique ranking, equally scoring EOIs would be separated by time of submission. Ranking is an objective and automatic process, conducted by the Model system with no intervention by the department’s staff. The ranking would be made on the basis of the information you provide in the EOI.
How would I find out where I am ranked?
Applicants who submit an EOI would be aware of the points they have claimed on the points test, but would not be able to view their ranking position. The department would however, publish the lowest score of a successful EOI for each occupation after each invitation round. This will provide an indicative benchmark of the attributes needed to be issued an invitation.
For example:
Construction project manager (ANZSCO 133111): 65 points.
EOI submitted 01.09.2012 02:16:57
Project builder (ANZSCO 133112): 65 points.
EOI submitted 15.12.2012 14:44:06
What is the proposed occupation ceiling?
The Model will contain a mechanism to ensure the Independent category of the skilled migration program delivers the occupations that are most in need. This mechanism is known as the occupation ceiling. In simple terms, the occupation ceiling is intended to be a limit on how many people could be selected for independent migration from a particular occupation group. Its purpose is to prevent the Independent category being dominated by a narrow range of occupations. Once the limit is reached each year, there would be no further invitations for migration from a particular occupation group. Program places would then be allocated to other occupation groups, even if they are lower scoring.
Who decides which EOIs would be invited?
Independent Skilled Migration
For independent and family sponsored skilled migration, all selection decisions would be made electronically, based on the Selection and Invitation diagram below. Selection is an automated process and is based on objective criteria. Departmental staff will not be involved in the selection process.
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