Saturday, May 29, 2010

Capping is coming


Public submissions are currently being sought on the Migration Amendment (Visa Capping) Bill 2010.

This bill is part of the package of reforms that the Australian government is currently implementing to the General Skilled Migration program. One of the problems is that various things are coming to light in a piecemeal fashion and many things seem to have (apparently unforeseen) collateral consequences. This bill would give the Minister power to cap the number of visas granted either by visa class or by other characteristic (such as occupation). In other words if the Minister decided enough visas had been granted to accountants (for example) in a given year, then no further applications from accountants would be allowed.

The draft bill is available and it has already had its first and second reading in parliament.

The bill's homepage (includes explanatory memorandum and speeches) is available by clicking here.

Watch this space as more changes come to light....makes me curious what's going to happen to the points test?!

Creative commons attribution for the photograph:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbossi/4083776490/

Monday, May 17, 2010

New Skilled Occupation List


The much awaited skilled occupation list was announced today (17 May 2010).

The following extract from the accompanying fact sheet is a fair summary in my view:

"The current SOL has more than 400 occupations. The new list of occupations, which was announced by the Minister on 17 May 2010, includes 181 occupations. The new list is available on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s (DIAC) website at: http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/whats-new.htm

It is intended the new list of occupations would deliver a general skilled migration (GSM) program more tightly focused on delivering high-value nation building skills. The new list is intended to align the GSM program with Australia’s overall workforce development strategy, also developed by Skills Australia. The new list is focused on targeting specialised occupations that require a long lead time of formal education and training. It includes managerial, professional, associate-professional and trade occupations. The list of occupations will be reviewed annually but it is expected that it will be relatively stable over time."

I have provided links to:

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Temporary Suspension of General Skilled Migration Applications

Direct (and verbatim) from the DIAC website:

The Australian Government has decided to temporarily suspend the acceptance of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications. This temporary measure will begin on 8 May 2010 and is expected to remain in effect until the end of 30 June 2010.

The temporary suspension applies only to primary (main) applicants for the following visa subclasses:

  • Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent (Migrant) visa
  • Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) visa
  • Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa.
There is also a link to a Fact Sheet and FAQ.

One can only assume that the uncertainty and delay in the release of the new skilled occupation list was causing a rush of applications trying to beat the new system.

Creative commons attribution for the photograph: