Impact of Budget on Migration

[SOMV]

Hello,

Some changes to the Migration Program for 2009/10 have been announced in today's Budget:

Reduction in Numbers
The Minister has announced a further reduction of places in the skilled migration program down to 108 100 for the 2009/10 financial year which commences on 1st July 2009. The minister will continue to proritise State Sponsored 176 applications and those with occupations on the CSL.

"Under the priority arrangements, fewer trades-level occupations will be granted a visa in 2009–10" (Source: DIAC Fact Sheet 12th May 2009)

IETLS
There will be an increase in the IELTS required for Trade Occupations from 5 to 6 making this a universal level for all 4 ASCO groups of occupations. For offshore applicants this will commence from 1st July 2009 - Note this does not affect Canadian, British, Irish or American passport holders.

Family
There will be an increase of 2,500 in partner visas available from 1st July 2009, and a further 1,000 places available under the contributory parent visa category.

As always, the important thing is to get applications in as soon as possible and where possible, offshore applicants should seek State Sponsorship for timely processing of your application.

Cheers

[anj1976]

thanks for teh update Veronika

[manish1980]

Originally Posted by SOMV

Hello,

Some changes to the Migration Program for 2009/10 have been announced in today's Budget:

Reduction in Numbers
The Minister has announced a further reduction of places in the skilled migration program down to 108 100 for the 2009/10 financial year which commences on 1st July 2009. The minister will continue to proritise State Sponsored 176 applications and those with occupations on the CSL.

"Under the priority arrangements, fewer trades-level occupations will be granted a visa in 2009–10" (Source: DIAC Fact Sheet 12th May 2009)

IETLS
There will be an increase in the IELTS required for Trade Occupations from 5 to 6 making this a universal level for all 4 ASCO groups of occupations. For offshore applicants this will commence from 1st July 2009 - Note this does not affect Canadian, British, Irish or American passport holders.

Family
There will be an increase of 2,500 in partner visas available from 1st July 2009, and a further 1,000 places available under the contributory parent visa category.

As always, the important thing is to get applications in as soon as possible and where possible, offshore applicants should seek State Sponsorship for timely processing of your application.

Cheers

This is a great piece of information.

I have applied on 24th April 2009 under CSL. Can I expect visa in this program year? or should I apply for state nomination now? Basically I want to know which is faster and by how much ?