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The Australian Minister for Immigration yesterday announced significant changes to the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.

Changes include:

• Cap and Cease of offshore GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007
• A new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) to come into effect in mid 2010
• Abolition of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
• Revocation of Critical Skills List (CSL) from mid 2010
• Changes to Processing Priorities and introduction of new State Sponsorship arrangements
• Pre 1 Jan 2010 Trade Skills Assessments will be accepted by DIAC from 1st Quarter 2010

Many of these changes have transitional provisions to ensure that the impact on international students studying in Australia are minimised. Continue Reading

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Today, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced a number of changes to the General Skilled Migration program.

 Let’s look at the key changes. We’ll cover these changes in more detail further on in this article.

• Offshore General Skilled Migration Visa Applications made before the 1^st September 2007 will be capped and then ceased.
• The current Critical Skills List (CSL) will be revoked and will be replaced by a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) effective from the middle of 2010.
• The current Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) will be revoked and replaced with the same (and more targeted) Skilled Occupations List.
• The General Skilled Migration (GSM) Points Test will be reviewed to evaluate the effectiveness of the current test.
• New priority processing arrangements will be introduced for certain skilled migration visas.

Quite a lot to take in huh? We’ll try to break down the changes into a little more detail and as always, if you get stuck or have any further questions then feel free to pop into our forums. Continue Reading

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The process of obtaining a visa for Australia and New Zealand can be a complex process. The complexity of the process depends largely on the type of visa being applied for and the evidence you have in support of your application.

For instance, short term tourists who are passport holders from certain countries (if there is no adverse record against their name) have free entry to New Zealand and are granted a visa when they arrive at the New Zealand airport.

The current list of countries is located at http://www.immigration.govt.nz/ Best check this passport status well in advance of ticket purchase and making travel plans.

Australia has a different system. If a potential tourist holds an acceptable passport and has no adverse immigration alert against their name, they may apply over the internet at the Australian government site http://www.immi.gov.au for an Electronic Tourist visa. They can only do this whilst they are outside Australia. Again, check the passport status and your status will in advance of ticket purchase and making travel plans. Continue Reading

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The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has set new priority processing arrangements for certain Skilled Migration visas. These arrangements are designed to better address the needs of industry by targeting skills in critical need across a number of sectors. The current priority processing Direction commenced on 23 September 2009.

The Direction applies to applications in the pipeline that have not been finalised, and to applications lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, on or after 23 September 2009.

To assist the visitors to our site, we have included the Frequently Asked Questions from the Department Website below.

To discuss these latest changes then post a comment at the bottom of this post or visit the thread in our forums which you can find by clicking here. Continue Reading

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Australias economy is a tower of strength after two respected international reports confirmed it continued to lead the developed world.

The first from the  International Monetary Fund added its weight to mounting evidence that Australia was powering ahead of its rivals during the worst downturn since the Great Depression.

It yesterday upgraded its outlook for the Australian economy, tipping it to retreat by only 0.5 per cent this year before growing by 1.5 per cent next year. It earlier forecast a contraction of 1.4 per cent.

The report followed an Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development report that commended the Government’s stimulus measures. Continue Reading

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The Australian Immigration and Citizenship department have started issuing letters to visa applicants who have applied for Australian Residency under certain visa classes.

The letter confirms that priority will be given to applicants who are applying under the employer or state sponsored visa classes. In addition the letter also confirms that priority will remain for those holding a primary occupation which is listed on the Critical Skills List (CSL)

Essentially though, the letter goes onto confirm that if you do not fall into one of these three categories, it now looks almost certain that the processing of your application will be delayed into the 2010 – 1011 Migration program year.

The key text taken from the letter is as follows: Continue Reading

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The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has warned the government that work on infrastructure projects will be difficult to accomplish following the decision to put restrictions on the skilled migration program.

While the MIA welcomed the Australian immigration ministers decision to increase the number of humanitarian and family reunion Australian visas for the 2009/10 Migration Program, they were less than impressed with the decision to remove a number of trade-level occupations from the skilled occupation list.

“The MIA awaits with great interest to see how the Government proposes to administer the new job-readiness criteria for trade occupations. It’s hard to imagine a one-size-fits-all assessment system of employability,” said Maurene Horder, CEO of the Migration Institute of Australia. Continue Reading

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There is less than one month to go before the changes to the Australian skilled migration will come into effect, as outlined in last month’s release of the 2009-10 Budget.

As of the 1 July, the Australian skilled migration program will be downsized again, so that only 108,100 skilled visas are available for people emigrating to Australia. Further, as of this date, the Government will raise the English language requirements for trades occupations in the independent skilled migration pathway so that overseas workers in trade positions are better prepared for working in the Australian workforce.

The Government has made it harder for people emigrating to Australia through the Australian skilled migration program during the recession so that those skilled workers emigrating to Australia support economic growth rather than unnecessarily add to employment competition. Not only has the Government been gradually downsizing the skilled migration program, but it has also implemented a priority processing order for all Australian skilled visas so that the program can target the skills it needs. Continue Reading

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Following last week’s changes to the Australian skilled migration program, occupations have been removed from the temporary business Australian visa (subclass 457) program in line with the current needs of the Australian economy.

The temporary business Australian visa (subclass 457) program allows employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary Australian working visa. While employers must first prove that there are no local workers available to take that position before they sponsor an overseas worker, the Australian immigration department has taken further measures to cut back the program so that Australians have a better chance of employment during the global recession. Continue Reading

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An interesting and useful revision for those applying under one of the skilled Migration programs.

The Rudd Government will revise the migration program for the second half of 2008-09 so that skilled migrants who have a confirmed job, or have skills in critical need will be given priority for a permanent visa to come to Australia.

In a statement tabled in Parliament today, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the changes, effective from 1 January, will ensure that the Skilled Migration program is driven by the requirements of industry and targets skills in critical need across a number of sectors.

‘This will ensure our migration program is more responsive to the needs of the economy and assists industries still experiencing skills shortages,’ Senator Evans said.

‘In light of the changing economic circumstances, the Rudd Government has reviewed the Skilled Migration program and consulted business and industry along with state and territory governments Australia-wide about their skills needs. Continue Reading

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OK, October is finally here so time to post this months update. There appears to be progress in quite a few of the visa classes. Unfortunately Sub classes such as the 136 seem to be dragging their heals. Still, progress is progress for some.

To Discuss the current update please use this thread in our forums.

Also, remember, if you have applied for your Australian Immigration Visa during the month of October then join other Getting Down Under Members who have applied at the same time by posting to this thread in our Australian Visa Time line Forum Continue Reading

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This months update is a little longer as application processing is now undertaken between two centres based in Brisbane and Adelaide.

Although splitting the processing across two processing centres should ultimately reduce the amount of time it takes to process Australian Visas, applicants should be mindful that applications sent to Adelaide which are now processed at the Brisbane offices are in transit to the new processing centre.

To discuss the current timeline, please feel free to post in our Australian Visa Timeline Forum or the thread for this current updated posted here.

Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre – Processing information as of the 1st September 2008

From 1 July 2008 certain General Skilled Migration applications are now being processed in Brisbane.

The Brisbane office will now process the following General Skilled Migration visa applications that have been lodged electronically for Onshore applicants: Continue Reading

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OK Guys, it’s August already so please find below details of the Australian Immigration processing lead time for as of August 2008.

To discuss this time line then check out this thread in our forum. Also remember to check out our Australian Visa Time line Forum which has been set up specifically so that folks sharing a similar timeline can hang out and keep each other motivated during times of stress

NEWSFLASH

The Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre (BSPC) commenced operations on 1July 2008. BSCP are processing electronically lodged applications for Classes VB and VC lodged on or after 1 July 2008.

Any paper documents received in Adelaide for these applications will be couriered to Brisbane for processing. Applicants are encouraged to provide their documents electronically either by attaching them to the application or by email.

Supporting documentation and enquiries regarding these applications should be directed to the relevant Brisbane contact point. Continue Reading

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Guys, latest Australian Visa Processing time line for June 2008.

Any comments or questions please post them in this thread on our forums.

RECEIPTING AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS

The ASPC is currently receipting new applications within service standards.

Once an application has been receipted it undergoes validity checking and an acknowledgement letter with client information and a receipt will be sent.

If an application is determined to be invalid documents will be returned and a refund of the visa application charge arranged.

As of June 2008 the ASPC Admin Section is processing applications as follows:

Onshore Applications: receipting and acknowledging applications received on 10 June 2008.

Offshore Applications: receipting and acknowledging applications received on 10 June 2008.

Once an application has been acknowledged it will be allocated to a case officer for further assessment as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately.

PROCESSING AND ALLOCATION INFORMATION – For the week of 10 June 2008

Applications lodged on or before the dates shown below have been allocated to case officers for further processing.

Continue Reading

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Well, we’re into April so let’s look at the current Australian Visa Processing timelines for April 2008.

To discuss this post, please use the appropriate thread in our forums here

PROCESSING AND ALLOCATION INFORMATION – For the week of 1 April 008

Applications lodged on or before the dates shown below have been allocated to case officers for further processing.

Applications Lodged Before 1 September 2007

Onshore Skilled visas (permanent and provisional)

Student/Graduate applications – Class DD and DE visas
Subclass 880: 18 August 2007 (paper), 9 August 2007 (e-lodged)
Subclass 881: 29 August 2007 (paper), 29 August 2007 (e-lodged)
Subclass 882: 29 August 2007 (paper), 29 August 2007 (e-lodged)

Onshore Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) (SIR) – Class UX visas Subclass 495: All applications: all applications are now allocated to case officers

New Zealand Citizen (Residence) – Class DB visas
Subclass 861, 862 and 863: all applications are now allocated to case officers

Offshore Skilled visas (permanent and provisional)

Skilled Migration visas – All paper based applications for Class BN, BQ, BR, UX and UZ visas
Subclasses 134, 136, 137, 138, 139, 495 and 496: 2 May 2007

e-lodged Skilled Independent Regional (Provisional) applications
Subclass 495: all applications are now allocated to case officers

Applications Lodged After 1 September 2007

General Skilled Migration visas: Class VE, VF,VB and Class VC subclass 487
Subclasses: 175, 176, 475, 476, 885, 886, 887, and 487
E-lodged: 8 November 2007
Paper lodged: 16 September 2007

General Skilled Migration visas: Class VC subclass 485 only
E-lodged: 29 September 2007
Paper lodged: 16 September 2007

If a visa application was made more than two weeks before the relevant date shown above and you have not been contacted by a case officer please contact the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre from the web page which can be viewed by Clicking Here

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Quite interesting to see that the ASPC are now promoting the front loading of Meds and Police Checks as part of the visa application process stating that Offshore Applicants can now initiate Health and Character Checks (Police Checks) before being allocated a case officer.

The inclusion of health forms on the department’s of immigrations website means that applicants can reduce the time taken to finalise the application by commencing health and character checking before their application is allocated to a case officer, however, applicants and migration agents should be aware that:

• Applicants are responsible for all costs associated with medical examinations and providing police clearances;
• Health examinations and police clearances have limited validity periods, generally for a period of 12 months;
• If clearances expire before the application is finalised they may be requested again, and must be provided at the applicant’s cost;
• The ASPC may need to undertake other checking in respect of the application that can delay a decision; and
• Undertaking health examinations and providing police clearances does not guarantee an application will be successful.

Before deciding when to undertake Health and Police Checks, applicants and Agents can monitor which applications are currently being allocated for assessing by utilising the aspc.processing@immi.gov.au e-mail service. Sending a blank email to this address will result in an auto response being issued by the ASPC detailing the current processing timelines in a similar format to that detailed here Continue Reading

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