Australian Migration Rules:

With the revision of work rules in a number of foreign countries, the most recent being Australia, Indian students are now being presented with the option of staying back in the country where they receive their degree in order to gain that elusive international work experience.

As of September 1, 2007, the ‘Migration Regulations, 1994′ have been amended to respond to the suggestions of the Evaluation of General Skilled Migration (GSM) categories and introduce other changes as well.

These include an improvement in the English language, a greater emphasis on skilled work experience, and the introduction of a new temporary work visa for graduates and the simplification of the GSM visa structure. The standard of English language proficiency has been raised from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 5 (vocational) to 6 (competent). However, those applying for trade occupations only need to meet the existing threshold of 5. “Students securing a minimum of 7 in each component of the IELTS will be awarded 25 points,” informs Sumit Aggarwal, Representative, and Central Queensland University in India.

Furthermore, applicants nominating a job on the ‘Migration Occupation in Demand List’ can score bonus points for their nominated occupation only if they have a year’s experience in the same job or one that is closely-related.

A new visa sub-class for students has also been introduced called the Skilled-Graduate (subclass 485) visa, valid for 18 months. International students unable to meet the new requirements for a permanent skilled visa can apply for this visa, which has unrestricted work rights, to build their skills and experience.

The changes also include a reduction in the number of skilled migration visa categories and sub-classes to simplify the system.