New SMC rules / bonus points for absolute skills shortage

[Duncan Disorderly]

Hi,

Wondering if anyone here might be able to provide me with some input to this query? I've received a document from NZIS this morning about the rule changes to the SMC on February 4th, and as such have written to NZIS as follows to see if the new rules (ie, using ANZSCO) will help me claim bonus points for experience in an area of absolute skills shortage or not:-

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Hi, I was wondering if you could clarify something for me please?

Under the changes due to the SMC on February 4th, my occupation falls under ANZSCO Skill Level 1, as defined here:-

1220.0 - ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, First Edition, 2006

I have three questions, in relation to whether I can bonus points for qualifications & experience in an area of absolute skill shortage (IT), but with no job offer:-

1. The ANZSCO link above states "Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification." I have a BA (Hons) degree, but it is not wholly IT specific, although partly IT related. Would I be permitted to use my BA (Hons) degree to claim bonus points under the qualifications in a skills shortage area?

2. The ANZSCO link above also states "At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification." I have 8 years experience in my field, as well as a number of Cisco Systems vendor accreditations. Would either the experience or accreditations (CCNP / Firewall Specialist) be acceptable allowing me to claim bonus points under experience in a skills shortage area? My understanding from the new rules would be that even if I cannot claim my BA (Hons) degree (if it is deemed non-IT specific) and cannot claim my vendor accreditations, I should still be able to claim the bonus points for a experience in a skills shortage area based on my 8 years (5+ required)? Please confirm.

Many Thanks,

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Any comments appreciated (as I may have gotten this all very wrong!)

Cheers,

Ben

[Mel John]

Hi Ben,
All these IT qualifications etc are beyond me but why don't you email the skilled migrant administrator to see if they can clarify it for you?
skilledmigrantslondon@dol.govt.uk
Hope this helps,
Mel.

[Elsa]

Originally Posted by Duncan Disorderly

Hi,

Wondering if anyone here might be able to provide me with some input to this query? I've received a document from NZIS this morning about the rule changes to the SMC on February 4th, and as such have written to NZIS as follows to see if the new rules (ie, using ANZSCO) will help me claim bonus points for experience in an area of absolute skills shortage or not:-

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Hi, I was wondering if you could clarify something for me please?

Under the changes due to the SMC on February 4th, my occupation falls under ANZSCO Skill Level 1, as defined here:-

1220.0 - ANZSCO - Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, First Edition, 2006

I have three questions, in relation to whether I can bonus points for qualifications & experience in an area of absolute skill shortage (IT), but with no job offer:-

1. The ANZSCO link above states "Most occupations in this unit group have a level of skill commensurate with a bachelor degree or higher qualification." I have a BA (Hons) degree, but it is not wholly IT specific, although partly IT related. Would I be permitted to use my BA (Hons) degree to claim bonus points under the qualifications in a skills shortage area?

2. The ANZSCO link above also states "At least five years of relevant experience and/or relevant vendor certification may substitute for the formal qualification." I have 8 years experience in my field, as well as a number of Cisco Systems vendor accreditations. Would either the experience or accreditations (CCNP / Firewall Specialist) be acceptable allowing me to claim bonus points under experience in a skills shortage area? My understanding from the new rules would be that even if I cannot claim my BA (Hons) degree (if it is deemed non-IT specific) and cannot claim my vendor accreditations, I should still be able to claim the bonus points for a experience in a skills shortage area based on my 8 years (5+ required)? Please confirm.

Many Thanks,

=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-


Any comments appreciated (as I may have gotten this all very wrong!)

Cheers,

Ben

Hi Ben,

I am wondering if you have received any reply from NZIS in regards to the questions you have posted. I am in a very similar situation as you are and am certainly interested to know what they (NZIS) have to say.

Thank you.

Elsa

[Duncan Disorderly]

Originally Posted by Elsa

Hi Ben,

I am wondering if you have received any reply from NZIS in regards to the questions you have posted. I am in a very similar situation as you are and am certainly interested to know what they (NZIS) have to say.

Thank you.

Elsa

Hi Elsa,

As requested, here is the response I received from NZIS:-

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Dear Ben

Thank you for taking advantage of our Online Help facility.

The Long Term Skill Shortage List states that to claim bonus points your Level 7 or above qualification, must be a MAJOR in Information Science, computer science or information technology.

You are able to claim bonus points for your Work Experience. If you have been Invited to Apply, you will need to prove in writing ie references from previous employers, regarding the number of years you have claimed for.

Kind Regards,

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Since receiving the response, with particular attention to the last paragraph, I amended my EOI to include work experience in a skills shortage area (up to 120 points) and was selected in last weeks EOI (14th Feb). Will just have to hope I don't get further problems down the line (ie, disputes from NZIS with their own ambiguous policies!) If so, I'll have to point them at the appropriate ANZSCO link and show them the reply above and hope that will be sufficient.

Hope this helps.

Ben.

[MotherBear]

Originally Posted by Duncan Disorderly

I amended my EOI to include work experience in a skills shortage area (up to 120 points) and was selected in last weeks EOI (14th Feb).

Congratulations. Hope the rest of it goes smoothly for you.

[Elsa]

Hi Ben,

Congratulations on being selected!!!
Thank you for posting the response from NZIS. That really helps clear some of the confusion. I shall now start working on finishing and submitting my EOI for the next selection.

Thanks again, Ben.

Elsa