| The ACT reopened nomination under the skilled | | | | ACT will require 6 months of work experience There |
| sponsored program on 31 August. The skilled | | | | are a large number of occupations nominated in the |
| sponsored program results in a permanent visa for | | | | ACT lists - however many of these are subject to a |
| applicants, and is currently processed at the highest | | | | quota and these will fill quickly. Some of the more |
| level of priority of any general skilled visa. Applicants | | | | interesting ones are: |
| must have an occupation on the lists of occupations in | | | | - A wide range of scientists, in both life and physical |
| demand, and apply to the state or territory for | | | | sciences |
| nomination. | | | | - Accountants |
| The ACT has not accepted applications for nomination | | | | - Engineers |
| under this program since July 2009, and so the | | | | - Sales, marketing and PR |
| announcement is a significant boon to people who are | | | | - Personnel and HR professionals |
| wishing to migrate under the general skilled program. | | | | - Teachers - pre-primary, secondary and vocational |
| There are some significant changes: | | | | - Social workers, Welfare workers and community |
| - Most occupations now require a higher level of | | | | workers |
| English for sponsorship - most require at least 7 in | | | | - Psychologists and counsellors |
| IELTS, except for trades where a minimum of 6 | | | | - Designers & illustrators |
| applies with 6.5 in speaking | | | | - Journalists and copywriters |
| - There are now two lists of occupations in demand - | | | | - Financial investment advisors |
| a "SDL Baseline" list and a "SDL Quota" list. To apply | | | | - Office managers and program/project administrators |
| under the Quota list, the application must first be | | | | - Hotel managers |
| cleared with ACT and numbers are strictly limited. For | | | | - Residential care officers |
| the Baseline list, the number of nominations possible is | | | | - A wide range of trades If you have already lodged a |
| unlimited | | | | General Skilled application or are able to do so you |
| - Higher requirements for international students - most | | | | should begin the process as soon as possible to |
| will need at least 3 months of work experience in the | | | | ensure your application is received before the quota |
| ACT, and students completing studies outside the | | | | closes. |