The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced the first round of skilled migrants invited to formally apply of visas under the Federal Government’s new SkillSelect service.

 

Doctors, dentists, nurses, engineers and ICT professionals dominated the first round, with financial services professionals also making a significant portion of the first cohort.

 

“This is an excellent result for the economy, employers, and ultimately for Australia,” a spokesman from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) said.

 

“SkillSelect helps to ensure the skilled migration program is based on the economic needs of Australia. It supports the government in managing who can apply for skilled migration, when they can apply and in what numbers.”

 

So far, over 10,000 skilled people have completed expressions of interest (EOI) forms through the service since it went live at the start of July.

 

Earlier this month, the first automated invitation round for skilled independent (90 visas) and skilled regional family-sponsored (10 visas) was completed. 

 

The lowest points score invited was 75 points in both the skilled independent and skilled family sponsored visas.  This is significantly above the 60 point pass mark, and demonstrates the quality of the skilled people interested in migrating to Australia, and the benefits of selecting only the best.

 

Full details of the first round of SkillSelect visa invitations are available at www.skillselect.gov.au.

 

More information on first round offers and statistics can be found here