GSM English changes as from 01 JAN 2010

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced there are changes to the requirements for applicants in the ON-SHORE General Skilled Migration Program from 01 January 2010. These changes are as follows:-

•increase the English language requirements for applicants nominating trade occupations
(Australian Standard Classification of Occupations (ASCO) Level 4 occupation) by removing the option of
‘vocational English’;
•remove the option for applicants to receive points towards a qualifying score for the General Points Test
for ‘vocational English’;
•require applicants applying with ‘concessional competent English’ to attain an average score of 6 in the
International English Language Testing System (IELTS);
•provide that applicants applying with ‘concessional competent English’, will no longer be restricted to being
nominated by a State or Territory, or sponsored by a person who resides in a State or Territory, in which
arrangements are established for suitable English language training, nor will they be required to enroll in an
English language course and pay the fee; and
•ensure that where a primary applicant is relying on partner points in the General Points Test, no points will
be awarded if the partner has ‘vocational English’ and if claiming ‘concessional competent English’, they have
not met the new requirements as set out for primary applicants.