Applicants for skilled migration must have an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List (the SOL). This is a selection of occupations from the Australian Standard Classification of Occupations dictionary (the ASCO).

An important pre-requisite for a visa application is a successful skills assessment carried out by the relevant Australian authority. The name of the authority is designated on the SOL. This can sometimes be a complex and time consuming procedure involving a knowledge of the requirements of the particular assessing body.

Thornton Immigration have years of experience in assisting clients with skills assessments and can help you avoid unnecessary delays and problems.

Recent Work Experience:

An applicant for a permanent skilled visa must prove that he or she has 'recent work experience" in any occupation on the SOL of at least 12 months prior to the lodgement of the application.

This requirement is often confused with the "Specific Work Experience" component of the points test. Specific work experience is a source of addtional points that help satisfy the 'points test' below. "Recent work experience", on the other hand, is simply a pre-requisite to an application so that a person lacking 'recent work experience' cannot make a successful application, no matter what.

The Points Test:

A points test applies to most skilled applications. Points are awarded for the applicant's age, English language ability and Skill. Bonus points also apply in some cases.

Minimum pass marks apply to the various categories. Additional points for 'Specific Work Experience' can also be obtained where an applicant has worked for 3 out of the last 4 years in the nominated occupation prior to the application. If a person has 3 years of work experience, but not all of it in the nominated occupation it is still possible in most cases, to score additional points.

The Migration Occupations in Demand List (the MODL):

The Migration Occupations in Demand List is a sub-list of the Skilled Occupations List. It is an attempt by the Australian Government to identify occupations where there are currently shortages. If your occupation is on this list you score additional points. If this is coupled with a job offer, you score even more.

The cut-off age for skilled migration is 45 and as a person approaches this age it becomes more and more difficult to pass the points test. However, applicants with an occupation on the MODL can often pass the points test even if they are in the age group of 40-45.