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All offshore General Skilled Migration applications lodged before 1 September 2007 will have their applications withdrawn.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 The list is outdated and contains 106 occupations, many of which are less-skilled and no longer in demand.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 Susan Wareham McGrath on -
HI Richard
This is from DIAC's media release above - it should answer your questions:
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.
Best regards
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Ann Nicoline Garnica on -
Regarding the new GSM changes effective 08 Feb 2010, does this cancel the Ministerial Direction #42 -- Order of consideration -- certain skilled migration visas?
With MD42, some 3400 applications were expected to be processed within this program year. These are the applications where PCCs and medicals were requested prior to the Sept 23 changes. My husband and I were relieved to know that we're part of this 3400 as confirmed by the recently reallocated Co to us last 2 Feb 2010. However, with the Feb 8 changes, which does not mention MD42, we're wondering if our CO is once again withdrawn. For the 2nd time :(. Please help, need your advice.
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Anne
Just a point of clarification; the figure of approximately 3500 applicants that DIAC mentioned referred to all Category 5 applications (state sponsored non-CSL) awaiting processing.
DIAC did not say that all 3500 would be processed this program year.
It said that of those 3500, a small number would be processed; and it would focus on those who had provided meds and PCCs at the request of a Case Officer.
In terms of processing priority, MD 42 is pretty well replicated in the new policy directive; in fact, until the State Migration Plans are registered, it's the same.
While there aren't any guarantees with DIAC and I can't give specific advice on this forum, all being well, I really think that processing will continue on your visas; as they were close to finalisation in any event.
Good luck!
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Ann Nicoline Garnica on
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Thank you Susan for helping us interpret MD45.
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Permalink Reply by Raj Patel on -
Hi Daljeet,
MD-45 = Ministerial Direction 45 (that was announced in Feb. -2010)
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Permalink Reply by Atul Gupta on
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Dear Susan
Kindly let me know whether they are still processing cat 5 applicants.
Whether new CO are allocated on the applications who have not got CO allocated previously.
Thanks
Atul
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Atul
They're still processing Cat5 applicants. I am not aware of new COs being allocated at this stage.
Best wishes
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Zaman on
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Dear Susan,
What does it mean "Complete character assessment particulars for this applicant" in online status. Do I have to fill up own or my agent?
Thanks
Zaman
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Permalink Reply by Susan Wareham McGrath on
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Hi Zaman
Have you completed a form 80 previously. Also have you provided a police certificate from any country you have lived in for at least 1 year in the last 10 years?
If not, that is what is being referred to.
You will need to complete the Form 80 and apply for the police certificate/s yourself.
Best regards
Susan
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Permalink Reply by Zaman on
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Dear Susan,
Thank you very much for your reply. Yes I completed form 80, pc and med and also sent within 28 days as per request from my CO.
Thanks
Zaman
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Permalink Reply by Amresh Kumar Sikriwal on -
Hi Susan,
What i understood about that you are assiting to the people to get the JOB in australia. If this is the case i am seeking your support to get the job in Australia.
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