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From 26 April 2008, the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’) are amended to:

	include work rights on all initial student visa grants thus removing the need for student visa holders to make a separate application for permission to work
	prevent students and their family members from undertaking work until the student has commenced their course of study or training by amending student visa work conditions
	define the term 'week' as it applies to student visa work conditions
	increase the Student Visa Application Charge
	Amend a minor technical error made as a result of 2007 changes relating to the introduction of the Values Statement.

1 September 2007 - Legislation change

Client summary

From 1 September 2007, the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’) are amended to respond to the recommendations of the Evaluation of General Skilled Migration (GSM) Categories and introduce other changes to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the GSM program.

The key changes include:

	increasing the English language threshold requirement for all GSM visas;
	making the recent work experience requirement uniform across all offshore GSM visas;
	adjusting the points test to benefit applicants with: – strong English language skills; – Australian skilled work experience; and – advanced Australian tertiary qualifications;
	limiting Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) points to applicants with work experience;
	allowing overseas students with 50 point occupations to apply for GSM in Australia;
	clarifying the 2 year study requirement;
	creating a temporary visa to enable former Overseas Students to: – gain skilled work experience; – improve their English language skills; or – undertake a Professional Year;
	simplifying the GSM visa structure; and
	allowing interdependent partners to be included as secondary applicants