OZ visa rules could disqualify builders

CONSTRUCTION workers could soon find it difficult to secure a visa for Australia with new rules expected to favour accountants and teachers.

There is expected to be a scramble for Australian visas before a July 1 deadline when changes to a “points system” will disqualify thousands of skilled workers from securing a visa.

Visfirst.com said that construction workers may suffer because of the new system as there will be a significant tightening of eligibility requirements which may disqualify thousands of skilled Irish construction workers who would previously have been accepted for the Australian Skilled Migrant visa programme.

Manager at visafirst.com, Edwina Shanahan said about 2,200 Irish construction workers were granted skilled migrant resident visas to Australia in 2010 and the figure is expected to rise in the first six months of 2011 as unemployed workers scramble for places.

“Come July 1 many of those workers who would have had no problem in obtaining a visa last year will now be turned away. For instance, under the new points system a 34-year-old carpenter with proficient English and the relevant qualification papers, with three to eight years recent experience, would not be accepted. But up until now under the current system most tradesmen with similar criteria would be eligible,” she said.

The experts are warning those who are considering applying for an Australian visa should act fast before the new system is in place.

“Migrant visas can take anywhere from one to three months to be processed as all migrants applications need to complete skills assessments and many also need state sponsorship to meet the points test. So for some there is still time left — if they act now.”

Applications for an Australian skilled migration visa which have been submitted and accepted before July 1, 2011 will be assessed according to the criteria of the current points test.

Visafirst said points will no longer be awarded for an applicant’s occupation but applicants must still have an occupation that is on the shortage list to apply.

According to visafirst.com the changes will mean that for some the visa application process may be easier. Those over 45 years can now be assessed to apply for the skilled migrant programme, also degree qualified applicants will score five points more than apprentice qualified tradesmen making the 65 points pass mark more attainable for graduates.

“The new points test will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and higher-level qualifications and is designed to ensure no one factor guarantees migration.

“Professionals, including IT specialists, accountants, civil engineers and teachers, will fare well under the new points scheme. It is hoped that the new points test will be more responsive to the skills needs in Australia,” said Ms Shanahan.