An Australian Immigration visa can be issued under various categories. The eligibility criteria for an Australian immigration visa differ for each category and changes have been made in the immigration policy frequently in order to meet the changing demands of the Australian labor industry. The important classification of Australian immigration visas include those issued to workers, migrants, tourists, students, employers and refugees.

Amongst the various categories mentioned above the migrants and workers categories receive the maximum applications for an Australian immigration visa. This is mainly due to the reason of increasing work prospects in specific occupations that are of great demand in the country.

Regarding Australian immigration visa for workers, this group has various categories like those who have been sponsored by employers, those who have no sponsorship from employers but who possess specialized skills in specific occupations that are in demand in Australia, people who want to pay a business visit to Australia, special immigration visas for those in the medical profession (doctors, nurses etc) and who wish to work in the country, applicants with special occupational skills but wanting to work in areas that are outside the important cities of Australia.

Some important changes have been effected in the Australian Immigration Policy early this year. The General Skilled Migration Program which is the vital component of the Australian Immigration Policy that has been formulated with the aim of bringing in more skilled laborers to Australia has seen some modifications. The Migration Occupations in Demand List has been revoked and replaced by a Skilled Occupations List (SOL) formulated by an independent body known as the Skills Australia. The SOL is expected to be introduced by mid-2010.

Another major modification has been brought into points-based evaluation system that forms the basis of selection for an Australian immigration visa. The new evaluation system is anticipated to enable an increased number of deserving candidates applying for an Australian immigration visa to get preference.  Currently points are allocated on the basis of academic qualifications, skills, experience and English proficiency. The new amendment has brought in scope for more points to be awarded for certain selective occupations that could be of more sought after in the country. Additional criteria are expected to be added in the coming years.

The new laws pertaining to issuance of an Australian immigration visa have also effected changes to the policy that would be more state and territory specific. This is considered as an improved method of catering to the skill requirements in several states.

It has been the constant endeavor of the Australian government to throw open more and more avenues of employment to well deserving applicants from all over the world who dream of getting an Australian immigration visa. The changes that have been brought about in the Australian immigration policy are only an indication of the government’s honest attempts of opening its hands and receiving more migrants who are capable of contributing to the country’s economy in a healthy manner.

The General Skills Program, as we all know, is the main key for skilled workers from all around the world to fulfill their dream of Australian immigration. According to the basic guidelines of the GSM Program, candidates who possess specialized training in any of the occupations that feature in the Skilled Occupations List can apply for an Australian Visa. Their applications will be scrutinized and selection will be done on the basis of their age, qualification, work experience, proficiency of English language and skill competency levels. They must score a minimum pass mark in the Points based evaluation system (judged on the basic criteria mentioned earlier) to qualify for an Australian visa. In case the candidate is observed to possess some additional qualification pertaining to occupational skills, family connections in Australia, educational experience in Australia, spouse qualifications then the possibility of he/she scoring some additional points is high. The GSM Program has been highly successful in tapping the skilled labor talent from all over the world that is capable of contributing to the development of the Australian economy. This Program has been instrumental in changing the complexion of Australian immigration and has brought about some significant changes in the country’s economy.

On February 8, 2010 the policy of Australian immigration witnessed an important change when the results of the review of the Migration occupations in Demand List were announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. An important inference made by this review was the need to replace the current MODL by a new and more target-oriented occupations list that is better equipped to cater to the constantly changing labor requirements of the Australian market. The Australian immigration policy has undergone some important alterations following this review.

An important change made in the Skilled Migration Program with regard to Australian immigration was the creation of a Critical Skills List (CSL) that laid emphasis on providing work opportunities to Information Technology Professionals, engineering and medical experts. In March 2009 the number of visas granted under the GSM Program were brought down to 115,000 per year and several occupations were eliminated from the CSL. This change was effected keeping in mind the growing needs of the Australian economy. In May 2009 the visas under the GSM Program came down to 108,000.

Even the application form for an Australian visa under the GSM Program has gone through certain modifications and includes new question pertaining to health and character.

The government of Australia has brought about certain amendments to its Immigration Policy in an attempt to being down the immigration to Australia of poorly-skilled laborers. The changes have been brought about to improve the entire process of selecting the best candidates for Australian immigration that would best suit the market requirements in the country.

The General Skills Program, as we all know, is the main key for skilled workers from all around the world to fulfill their dream of Australian immigration. According to the basic guidelines of the GSM Program, candidates who possess specialized training in any of the occupations that feature in the Skilled Occupations List can apply for an Australian Visa. Their applications will be scrutinized and selection will be done on the basis of their age, qualification, work experience, proficiency of English language and skill competency levels. They must score a minimum pass mark in the Points based evaluation system (judged on the basic criteria mentioned earlier) to qualify for an Australian visa. In case the candidate is observed to possess some additional qualification pertaining to occupational skills, family connections in Australia, educational experience in Australia, spouse qualifications then the possibility of he/she scoring some additional points is high. The GSM Program has been highly successful in tapping the skilled labor talent from all over the world that is capable of contributing to the development of the Australian economy. This Program has been instrumental in changing the complexion of Australian immigration and has brought about some significant changes in the country’s economy.

On February 8, 2010 the policy of Australian immigration witnessed an important change when the results of the review of the Migration occupations in Demand List were announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. An important inference made by this review was the need to replace the current MODL by a new and more target-oriented occupations list that is better equipped to cater to the constantly changing labor requirements of the Australian market. The Australian immigration policy has undergone some important alterations following this review.

An important change made in the Skilled Migration Program with regard to Australian immigration was the creation of a Critical Skills List (CSL) that laid emphasis on providing work opportunities to Information Technology Professionals, engineering and medical experts. In March 2009 the number of visas granted under the GSM Program were brought down to 115,000 per year and several occupations were eliminated from the CSL. This change was effected keeping in mind the growing needs of the Australian economy. In May 2009 the visas under the GSM Program came down to 108,000.

Even the application form for an Australian visa under the GSM Program has gone through certain modifications and includes new question pertaining to health and character.

The government of Australia has brought about certain amendments to its Immigration Policy in an attempt to being down the immigration to Australia of poorly-skilled laborers. The changes have been brought about to improve the entire process of selecting the best candidates for Australian immigration that would best suit the market requirements in the country.