IMSVISA Services: Australian visa application advice and support

 The Minister of Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, announced a number of sweeping changes to the General Skilled Migration regime with effect from 8 February 2010. Changes were of course expected and we have been advising clients of the the likelihood of immanent changes for several months. 

The major changes now are:

• The Migration Occupation in Demand List is abolished as of 8 February
• GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007 and not finalised will no longer be dealt with
• A new Skilled Occupation List, to replace the MODL and the Critical Skills List, will be introduced by mid 2010
• There will be a review of the Points Test
• Changes to priority processing

Further details are available in the Minister's announcement available at this link.

Over the next few days we will update the relevant web pages on this site to provide you with current and accurate information. In the meantime, if you feel that you are likely to be affected by any of these changes please get in touch with us as soon as possible to discuss your options.