As per the statistics provided by the Australian Department of Immigration and Border control (DIBP), many job seekers from UK, China, Malaysia and Sri Lanka have applied for the Australian skilled independent visas. This being so, Australian skilled independent visas have gained much popularity.
The Immigration department has issued 74,020 visas during the financial years of 2012/2013.
According to the statistics, considering the skilled migration program as a whole, 59.8 % visas were issued under the skilled independent category and 29.2% visas were granted for the skilled state/territory category. The remaining percentage of the visas granted was for the skilled regional category.
A spokesperson from DIBP said that the ‘SkillSelect’ program enables the government to have control over the applications received for skilled immigration. The control here refers to the fact that the department gets to know from where and when the applications are received, who has sent the applications and the count of applications received.
He further explained that Australia will be benefited economically by setting certain targets for the skilled migration programme. These targets would ensure that the present skilled places/destinations of migration will benefit by the increase in numbers and have a wide range of skilled occupations incorporated in those regions.
He added that SkillSelect is an efficient means for the visa application processes and enhances the future employment of the skilled workers by better managing the eligibility for, how and when they are applying.
The DIBP states that the persons holding the skilled independent visa are eligible to migrate on an independent basis without any nomination or sponsorship requirements. However, the applicants sponsored through skilled state or territory are required to be nominated by either the territory or state government.
The ‘Points test’ is common for all of these visa categories. According to this test, points are allotted to the applicants based on certain attributes that involves a wide range of skills. Assessment of English language is one such skill.
Under the category of ‘permanent employer sponsored visa’, all the foreign skilled workers who want to reside permanently in Australia may be sponsored by an employer who is based in Australia.
The category of permanent employer sponsored visa accounted for 37% of the total skilled migration programme in the financial year of 2012/2013.
Out of the maximum 47,740 permanent employer sponsored visas issued, 21,651 visas were issued to primary skilled applicants. The left over 26,089 visas were issued to secondary dependent applicants.
