The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) are making changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme. The announcement of the amendments was made in May of this year but the changes will come into effect on the 1^st January 2010.

A skills assessment must now be undertaken before applying for a GSM visa.  If a trade occupation is being nominated, a Job Ready Test will also be required. Furthermore, trade occupation applicants will have to have 12 months work experience in the relevant trade in the past 2 years in addition to the previous requirement of holding relevant qualifications. The Job Ready Test will be implemented by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). The purpose of the test is to assess the ability of the applicant to perform their job effectively when in Australia. The Australian Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Regulations have posted a notice on their website that more details about the Job Ready Test will be available in the New Year.

The changes apply to offshore visa subclasses 175,176 and 475 and onshore subclasses 885, 886 and 487. The visa subclasses 485 and 887 are not affected. More information can be found the DIAC website (www.immi.gov.au).

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