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Visa Processing Newsletter March 2009

The Department of Immigration and Australian Citizenship today announced changes to the General Skilled Migration Programme.

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IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FROM DEPARTMENT OF IMMIGRATION AND AUSTRALIAN CITIZENSHIP <o:p></o:p>
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The Minister for Immigration, Senator Chris Evans today announced important changes to the 2008 – 9 permanent skilled migration programme.                <o:p></o:p>
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                                    Changes to Australian visa processing times <o:p></o:p>
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Minister Evans today announced that cuts of 14% to the 2008-9 permanent skilled migration programme would be made. These changes to the skilled migration programme mean that the intake for applications for 2008-9 will be reduced from the current level of 133,500 to 115, 000.<o:p></o:p>
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However whilst the cuts will reduce current levels of applications being accepted for the skilled migration programme, the level of 115,000 is 18,500 places higher than for 2007-8.<o:p></o:p>
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The cut does not mean you cannot apply nor does it affect your eligibility to apply, it merely means that processing times for applications may be longer than first anticipated. Network Migration Services strongly advises that if you have not already submitted an application for residency to Australia you do so as soon possible. <o:p></o:p>
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Current timeframes indicated by DIAC this morning are as follows:<o:p></o:p>
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All applications nominated by a State/Territory or which have occupations on the Critical Skills List issued by the Department on 16th March 2009 are currently being processed. <o:p></o:p>
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It is not expected that processing for any other applications will happen before 1 July 2009. <o:p></o:p>
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There will be no visa grants to applications not state nominated or on the Critical Skills List until further notice. The initial indication is that further changes will be announced in May 2009. We will endeavour to keep you informed as soon as we receive any further information.<o:p></o:p>
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Australia remains committed to maintaining a skilled migration programme. Such a programme plays a crucial role in stimulating the Australian economy and therefore Australian business and industry. <o:p></o:p>
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The Minister’s media release can be found at <a href="http://minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-realeases/2009/ce0930.htm">http://minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-realeases/2009/ce0930.htm</a><o:p></o:p>
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Changes to the Critical Skills List<o:p></o:p>
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The new Critical Skills List published today, 16th March 2009 has removed Bricklayers, Carpenters, Plumbers, Welders, Metal Fitters. Trades that remain on the list are Gas Fitters, Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Wall and Floor Tilers. The remainder of the list comprises of Health and Medical, Engineering and IT professions.<o:p></o:p>
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DIAC have indicated that the Critical Skills List will be under constant review and will be changed as and when necessary, dependant on the current economic conditions of Australia. <o:p></o:p>
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Please note that applications that are sponsored by a State or Territory but whose occupation is not on the CSL will still receive priority processing.<o:p></o:p>
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The new Critical Skills web site is now available for viewing on our website.  <o:p></o:p>
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If you have any queries on your application and the implications of the above announcement please email your Client Services Manager for clarification.<o:p></o:p>
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Kind regards,<o:p></o:p>
The Network Migration Services Team.<o:p></o:p>
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Please Note: Network Migration Services advises clients to carefully consider making any commitments in anticipation of your visa being granted. Network Migration Services cannot be held liable for costs associated with any personal commitment (i.e. to cease employment, sell property, purchase airline tickets, change children's schooling arrangements, etc) made ahead of a visa decision.
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Visa Processing Newsletter March 2009

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