Dear John, 
I am a qualified carpenter by trade. 
I met the 120 points needed to apply for my Skilled Independent Visa and was getting it ready when Immigration announced the new Skilled Occupation List won’t be out until July 1 (2010). I also heard the points are changing. Will carpenters be able to apply on July 1 and how can I check if I still meet the points test?
Brian.

Dear Brian,

On May 8, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) put a hold on accepting skilled independent and State sponsored skilled visas until the New Skilled Occupations List (SOL) comes in to force on July 1. The new list has been released and the good news is that carpenters are still on the list.

DIAC has also announced that the points system will not change on July 1, so if you have calculated your points correctly, and have your migration skills assessment done, you should be able to lodge a skilled application on or after July 1.

The points system is under review by the government but changes are not expected to come in until much later this year or early 2011.

The new SOL uses new six-digit occupation codes based on ANZSCO instead of the old ASCO codes.

It’s important you check for, and use, the correct new occupation code on your visa application especially if your skills assessment was done under the old four-digit ASCO codes. DIAC have said that they will release a report on July 1 showing which old codes match the new occupation codes.

The new SOL is much shorter than the old list, limiting the occupations that can apply for independent visas.

However, there are still lots of permanent visa opportunities via the current and much longer Employer Nomination Scheme Occupations List (ENSOL). 
(www.immi.gov.au/allforms/pdf/1121i.pdf) This lists occupations that can be sponsored by an employer.

ENSOL will also be the baseline of occupations that can be sponsored by an Australian State government on its new Migration Occupation Plans also due for release from July 1.

Check individual state websites for details (for example, www.migration.wa.gov.au)
The classification codes will also change on ENSOL, the long list will be much as it is now but the new codes  may also mean a few of the occupation titles will be updated particularly in IT and engineering roles.

Employer and state sponsored visa applications will be the fast track options to permanent migration after July 1.

DIAC has yet to announce what priority will be given to visa applications. With occupations on the new SOL, industry expectation is that the new SOL will get the same priority as the old Critical Skills List (CSL), i.e. processed in less than 12 months.

Expect to see an announcement from DIAC on July 1 and watch this space for details.

Before you commit to making an application consider having your situation professionally assessed by a registered migration agent.