The Australian Government’s General Skilled Migration Programme
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has announced changes to the skilled migration points test to take effect from July 1, 2011. The changes announced will impact on the skilled migration process and the Credentialed Community Language points. It should be noted that the announced changes will only apply to visa applications made from 1 July 2011.
The Australian Government’s Skilled Migration programme is implemented through a partnership between government and industry. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations work with industry, represented by professional migration assessing authorities, to ensure that policies and procedures for assessing the skills of prospective migrants are appropriate, transparent and do not pose unreasonable barriers to migration.
National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters Ltd (NAATI) has been specified by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship in accordance with the Migration Regulations 1994 as the assessing authority for the occupations of Translator (ANZSCO Code 272413) and Interpreter (ANZSCO Code 272412).
The Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations supported this process through its role in approving migration assessing authorities. Approval is granted to professional bodies which meet established criteria, including a commitment to support of the objectives of the General Skilled Migration programme and the provision of an appropriate assessment service to prospective migrants.
If you wish to apply to migrate to Australia as a Translator or Interpreter under certain visa categories, you will need to have your skills assessed by NAATI. NAATI will assess your skills as "suitable" or "not suitable" for your nominated occupation against the requirements it has established.
The Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s Australian Skills Recognition Information website also provides information on working as a Translator or Interpreter in Australia - visit www.immi.gov.au/asri.
NAATI can only provide advice on applying for a skills assessment. All other questions relating to migration should be directed to DIAC - visit www.immi.gov.au for information and contact details.