8 February Migration Reforms
Hi everyone,
I'll post a full analysis later today, but here is DIAC's official media release about today's policy reforms.
Please note that skilled migration applicants who lodged their application between 1 September 2007 and 7 February 2010 are not affected by these changes.
Regards
Susan
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The Rudd Government is reforming the permanent skilled migration program to ensure it is more responsive to the needs of industry and employers and better addresses the nation’s future skill needs.
The reforms will deliver a demand rather than a supply driven skilled migration program that meets the needs of the economy in sectors and regions where there are shortages of highly skilled workers, such as healthcare, engineering and mining. The major reforms to the skilled migration program are:
20 000 would-be migrants will have their applications cancelled and receive a refund.
All offshore General Skilled Migration applications lodged before 1 September 2007 will have their applications withdrawn. These are people who applied overseas under easier standards, including lower English language skills and a less rigorous work experience requirement. It is expected about 20 000 people fall into this category. The department will refund their visa application charge at an estimated cost of $14 million. Average applications cost between $1500 and $2000 and most contain more than one person.
The list of occupations in demand will be tightened so only highly skilled migrants will be eligible to apply for independent skilled migration visas.
The wide-ranging Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) will be revoked immediately. The list is outdated and contains 106 occupations, many of which are less-skilled and no longer in demand. A new and more targeted Skilled Occupations List (SOL) will be developed by the independent body, Skills Australia, and reviewed annually. It will be introduced mid-year and focus on high value professions and trades. The Critical Skills List introduced at the beginning of 2009 which identified occupations in critical demand at the height of the global financial crisis will also be phased out.
The points test used to assess migrants will be reviewed to ensure it selects the best and brightest.
Potential migrants gain points based on their qualifications, skills and experience, and proficiency in English. The current points test puts an overseas student with a short-term vocational qualification gained in Australia ahead of a Harvard-educated environmental scientist. A review of the points test used to assess General Skilled Migration applicants will consider issues including whether some occupations should warrant more points than others, whether sufficient points are awarded for work experience and excellence in English, and whether there should be points for qualifications obtained from overseas universities. The review will report to Government later this year.
Certain occupations may be capped to ensure skill needs are met across the board.
Amendments to the Migration Act will be introduced this year to give the Minister the power to set the maximum number of visas that may be granted to applicants in any one occupation if need be. This will ensure that the Skilled Migration Program is not dominated by a handful of occupations.
Development of state and territory-specific migration plans.
Individual state and territory migration plans will be developed so they can prioritise skilled migrants of their own choosing. This recognises that each state and territory has different skills requirements. For example, Western Australia may have a shortage of mining engineers while Victoria may have a requirement for more architects. Under the new priority processing arrangements, migrants nominated by a state and territory government under their State Migration Plan will be processed ahead of applications for independent skilled migration.
The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the new arrangements will give first priority to skilled migrants who have a job to go to with an Australian employer. For those who don’t have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them, the bar is being raised.
‘There are plenty of occupations where there is an adequate supply of young Australians coming through our schools, TAFE colleges and universities to take up new job opportunities. They must be given the opportunity to fill these vacancies first,’ Senator Evans said.
‘But there are some occupations where there will be high demand for skills. Hospitals can’t go without nurses, country towns can’t do without a local GP and the resources sector increasingly needs skills.
‘These latest changes will continue reforms already implemented by the government and result in a more demand-driven skilled migration program that attracts highly skilled migrants to Australia to work in areas of critical need.’
The government recognises that the changes will affect some overseas students currently in Australia intending to apply for permanent residence.
Those international students who hold a vocational, higher education or postgraduate student visa will still be able to apply for a permanent visa if their occupation is on the new Skilled Occupations List.
If their occupation is not on the new SOL, they will have until 31 December 2012 to apply for a temporary skilled graduate visa on completion of their studies which will enable them to spend up to 18 months in Australia to acquire work experience and seek sponsorship from an employer.
The changes will in no way impact on international students coming to Australia to gain a legitimate qualification and then return home.
Tags: 8, Evans, February, Migration, Policy, Reforms
Views: 17
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by TFM on -
Dear Susan and Liza,
Would like to seek your advise on the following:
1) The CSL will be revoked when the new SOL comes into place in mid-2010. Is this means the new priority processing list will only be valid for this short period from 8 Feb 2010 to mid 2010, ie. around 5 months time? After which, DIAC will come out with another new priority processing list (again)?
2) Since CSL will be revoked once the new SOL come into effect, what will happen to those categories that consist of CSL such as those under category 3 and 4 under current new priority processing list?
3) I am planning to take the IELTS test again at the end of 2010, should I wait until DIAC announce the new new priority processing list after the new SOL come into effect? FYI, I am unable to sit for the test by mid 2010 as I am pregnant and is expecting to deliver in May 2010, hence by end of 2010, it should give me sufficient time to hunt for all 7.
Your advise on the above would be very very much appreciated.
Category 6 (i) applicant,
TFM
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on -
Hi Kazi
I suggest you do sit for your IELTS before the CSL is phased out; so that your application will be processed as a CSL application. While it's likely that a high level of English will be a benefit even after the CSL goes, it would be strategic to take the opportunity to get onto the CSL now, so your application is processed as soon as possible.
Best regards
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Donne Cyril Garnica on -
HI Everyone,
It seems that Cat 5-GSM Non-CSL applications are indeed not affected if lodged on the said dates ...
However, there might be a delay with processing applications that have been affected by the SEPT 23 changes.
Case officers may be busy trying to re-allign their tasks and we may have to wait for a little but, hopefully before June 2010.
My wife, son, and I just had our CO re-assigned last Feb 3rd, but we're afraid that the wait may be longer due to the recent FEB 8TH changes.
We had hoped that the re-allocation of our CO meant processing of our category in the fastest time as it can, but i think another segment of waiting has begun. Our hope now rests on the fact that we got our CO back, and the waiting is more certain this time.
For all those to be affected by the changes, we sympathize and feel the pain this may bring. We have had our share during the SEPT 23 changes. But hope rests not, because Australia may always employ changes depending on the needed skills. There may just be too long of a waiting.
Prayers to all!
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Permalink Reply by Arcturus on
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Hi Lisa,
Kindly reply this query of mine as well. I applied on 1st june 2009. I am Java Specialist. That profession was in MODL and CSL as well. As per priority processing arrangements announced by DIAC on sept 23 2009, I was in Cat 4. Means I was eligible for priority processing before 8-feb-2010. But as per my study Java will not remain in MODL and will be phased out. In that case my profession will not remain in MODL.
My question is: will my case not be eligible for priority processing as well? please tell me. Also as per sept 23 2009 announcement all the cases that fall under priority processing will be processed with an year since lodgement. So can I still hope that my case will be finalized before 1st june 2010? I really need your expert opinion on this.
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Permalink Reply by Zaman on
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Hi,
Can anybody give an idea what is Team1, Team2, Team3....... and how many CO are in one Team? Also how many case files are dealt by one CO?
Best regards
Zaman
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Arcturus
Nothing has changed for people who lodged skilled migration applications before 8 Feb.
DIAC's 23 September announcement that all priority processing cases would be processed within 12 months of lodgement was an estimate. It's not possible for anyone to give you authoritative advice on DIAC's future processing priorities, as only DIAC knows if they're going to change again.
Best regards
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Arcturus on
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No I am just asking about the prevalent policies. Also almost 9 months have completed after lodgement and I haven't received Medical and PCC request from DIAC. I got CO on 21st oct 2009, who asked to fill form-80. I sent the filled form-80 in 2 days and after that I haven't heard anything from them. What should I do in this situation?
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Arcturus
You could write to your CO, seeking confirmation that they received your Form 80 and asking if there is anything else you can provide to assist in the processing of your visa,.
Whie that won't affect the processing time, at least it will put your mind at rest that the delay isn't because your form 80 was overlooked.
Best regards
Susan
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Permalink Reply by pedy on -
Hi mates,
I was just wondering if there is anyone else who his/her case has been assigned to Ms. CATHERINE BRAITHWAITE. Any idea about her? General speaking, is there any significant differences between officers in terms of processing a visa application?
Any comment would be appreciated in advance.
Cheers,
Pedy
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Pedy
I've answered this on another thread.
Cheers
S
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Permalink Reply by DILSAM on
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Hi Pedy , i got same case officer as you mentioned, did you get your visa, can you please tell me about her and do you feel any differences between officers in terms of visa processing, your comment would clarify my doubts, please do so
thanking you advance
dilsam
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Permalink Reply by richard on
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hi all. what if i finished my two year study this january and i receive a positive qualification assessment from vetassess this week..i have a brother who will sponsor me on offshore 475 relative sponsored visa..am i affected by the changes and need a sponsor on my nominated skill before 18 months? this is the reason i am afraid because i applied branch accountant financial institution its very hard to get a job like that in 18 months with graduate visa only not pr
? because i am thinking while waiting for 2-3 years for the result of the offshore 475 visa result. i will keep studying here to finish my accounting degree.. which ever comes first...
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