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News Alert: General Skilled Migration Changes Explained

3835 Views 10 Replies 7 Participants Last post by  erviren, 
sriikanth
8 February, 2010
General Skilled Migration Changes Explained


There has been a great deal of conflicting information arising from today’s announcement by the Australian government in relation to the General Skilled Migration program. We would like to take this opportunity to clarify some of the confusion.



What changes have actually taken place?


The following changes are effective from the 8th of February, 2010:


1.The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) has been abolished. New applicants seeking to claim additional points will need to consider seeking State or Territory sponsorship instead, although current holders of certain Australian visas will still be eligible for MODL bonus points if they apply for permanent residency before 31st December, 2012.2.The Department of Immigration & Citizenship has introduced a cap to all applications lodged before the 1st of September 2007. While details of the exact number of places and cap have not been revealed, any applications that are deemed to fall outside of the cap once it has been reached will not be processed and the application fee refunded to those applicants.
3.On-shore skilled visa applicants who obtained a successful TRA Skills Assessment result before the 1st of January 2010 may use this result to apply for their Permanent Residency without needing to pass the ‘Job Ready’ test.

What other changes are expected to occur?


The following changes were announced today but will be implemented at a later date:



1.The Critical Skills List (CSL) will be abolished in the second half of this year and will be replaced by a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL).2.A revised Priority Processing Arrangement has been announced which gives State and Territory governments further opportunity to attract migrants, however at this stage no State governments have received approval for their own migration plans. (Please note, this is separate from current State Sponsorship arrangements). 3.A review of the General Skilled Migration Points Test will take place this year with a possible implementation to occur by 1st of July 2010.
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T
Hey Shriikant,
Thanks for explaining..things are still a bit hazy to me though.
I was planning to file for PR sub class 885,based on points from SOL (im an organisational psychologist-60points) what does it mean for me,can i apply before the new list is announced? Can i continue to stay here and apply for temporary residence,subclass 485? I had already finished my indian pcc and my health check up :(
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sriikanth said:
8 February, 2010
General Skilled Migration Changes Explained

1.The Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) has been abolished. New applicants seeking to claim additional points will need to consider seeking State or Territory sponsorship instead, although current holders of certain Australian visas will still be eligible for MODL bonus points if they apply for permanent residency before 31st December, 2012.2..
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Hi Sriikanth,

Are you saying that you can still claim MODL points if you submit your application to DIAC before 31st December?
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shafaqat309
Is it not a good news if they are reviewing their point test?
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anj1976
They plan to introduce state migration, which i believe will be the same as PR, only tht one has to live in the state (maybe not just for 2 yrs but for all 5 years..is it?), is my understanding right? because the second on the processing priority is state migration...
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sriikanth
Further info

Firstly, Migration Occupation Demand List (MODL) is to be removed with immediate effect. There will however be a new Skilled Occupation List from mid 2010.



Secondly, a cap has been set for all the applications lodged before 1st September 2007. If a decision has not been reached on your application before this cap is met, your application along with your application fee will be returned and will be taken not to have been made. There has been no provision for all other charges incurred by visa applicants by the Department.



Thirdly, the Critical Skills List (CSL) will be revoked when the new Skilled Occupation List comes into place in mid 2010.Priority processing arrangements for all visa applicants in the CSL will remain until the new Skill Occupation List is introduced.




Please note Visa applications lodged after 1 Sep 2007 and before 8 Feb 2010 are not affected by the these new changes
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sriikanth
Tina585 said:
Hey Shriikant,
Thanks for explaining..things are still a bit hazy to me though.
I was planning to file for PR sub class 885,based on points from SOL (im an organisational psychologist-60points) what does it mean for me,can i apply before the new list is announced? Can i continue to stay here and apply for temporary residence,subclass 485? I had already finished my indian pcc and my health check up :(
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Dear Tina.

I am sorry... I cant understand your situation . have you lodged your application or are you planning to lodge your application. (if you are in CSL list ) please lodge your application at once asap. coming July 1st 2010 there will be a new list and no one knows what will be on that list.

I think your proffesion is in the csl list and nothing changes until 01.07.2010.
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Ozaspirant
Do any of you guys know what was the original processing priority for 175 CSL applications . after the feb 8th changes its marked as 4th highest priority but I am not sure what was it earlier ? if any of you knows please let me know.
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sriikanth
Ozaspirant said:
Do any of you guys know what was the original processing priority for 175 CSL applications . after the feb 8th changes its marked as 4th highest priority but I am not sure what was it earlier ? if any of you knows please let me know.
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to explain in simple terms after lodging the application the case officer was being assigned within (3 months average). In the list it was 3rd.
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anj1976
Ozaspirant said:
Do any of you guys know what was the original processing priority for 175 CSL applications . after the feb 8th changes its marked as 4th highest priority but I am not sure what was it earlier ? if any of you knows please let me know.
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Hi

the priority is more or less the same, except for a new field (2) added, which is state/territory migration. If you are on CSL, expect the CO in 2-3 months and the visa in hand in about 6 months from filing date
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erviren
Anj,

lets hope for the Visa in 6 months for CSL applicants

Fingers crossed for any movement to my application....



anj1976 said:
Hi

the priority is more or less the same, except for a new field (2) added, which is state/territory migration. If you are on CSL, expect the CO in 2-3 months and the visa in hand in about 6 months from filing date
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