MIA Notice: Suspension of Offshore General Skilled Migration
The Minister has today announced a temporary suspension of certain general skilled migration visas. The move hopes to ensure that all offshore general skilled applications made after today are in accordance with the occupations included on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), to be released later this month. The Minister has not indicated when the suspension will be lifted, however it will be no earlier than the announcement of the new SOL.
The Minister has announced that his Department will not accept applications for the following visa subclasses from 8 May 2010 until further notice:
Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent;
Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored; and
Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.
Therefore, any applications received by the Department after 8 May 2010 for one of the above visa subclasses will be returned and the visa application charge refunded.
Please note that this suspension does not affect onshore general skilled migration visas.
Why is a temporary suspension being implemented?
Australia’s skilled migration program is carefully managed so as to yield the maximum benefit to the Australian economy. It serves a range of economic, social and demographic objectives.
The number of pending GSM applications continues to grow as the demand for GSM places exceeds the available supply. This temporary measure is necessary to ensure that the occupational profile of applicants for GSM clearly reflects the needs of the Australian labour market.
It will also facilitate the transition from the current SOL to the new SOL. It is anticipated that the Government will announce proposed changes to the SOL in May 2010.
I have already submitted an application for one of the affected visas. How does this change affect me?
If you have already submitted a valid application for one of the affected subclasses, this change does not affect you. Your application will be processed as normal and in accordance with priority processing arrangements.
Temporary suspension of certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) applications – 7 May
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: