State Migration Plan of New South Wales released

The plan has been given approval and has already come into effect from 3rd March, 2011 onwards.

The State Migration Plan of the NSW (New South Wales) has added several occupations on its list.

These occupations were not present in the Schedule 3 of the New SOL (Skilled Occupations List).

Occupations added on the Skilled-Sponsored List—

• Solicitor

• Insurance Broker

• Ships Engineer

Majority of occupations on the Skilled-Sponsored List have requirement of at least 7 points in IELTS along with a work experience of 3-5 years.

Occupations added on the Skilled-Regional Sponsored List---

• Baker;

• Chef;

• Metal Machinist(1st Class);

• Fitter(General);

• Cabinet Maker;

• Toolmaker.

Eligibility criteria for the Skilled-Regional Sponsored visa is a minimum of six points in IELTS.

All the occupations on the Skilled-Regional Sponsored list happen to be in great demand in several regions of NSW.

While the Skilled-Sponsored visa is a permanent Australian visa, the Skilled-Regional Sponsored visa is a provisional visa for three years period. This type of Australian visa enables the possessor to live and work in the concerned Australian state in order to get qualified for getting Australian permanent residency.

Effect of NSW State Migration Plan on processing times for Australian visa applications---

With the approval of the State Migration Plan of NSW, applicants getting sponsored by this state for an Australian visa in any occupation existing on the list will get processing priority 2.

This means inclusion of several occupations which are included in the State Migration Plan but are currently closed for new applicants.

Hence, applicants who have become nominated by NSW in this occupation before introduction of the State Migration Plan of the state, then their application will get allocated comparatively faster---

• Life Scientist;

• Financial Investment Advisor;

• Biochemist;

• Production Manager(Manufacturing);

• Pastrycook;

• Vocational Education Teacher;

• Medical Administrator;

• Corporate General Manager;

• Retail Pharmacist; and

• Hospital Pharmacist.

State Migration Plans(SMPs) have a vital role in the General Skilled Migration(GSM) program of Australia because they are developed by Territory or state governments in order to know which applicants will have eligibility for state sponsored visas based on their respective occupation.