Roper

Since BSPC has resumed processing P5 885 applications and those who have applied online circa 22nd June 2010 have been granted PR this week, it's not wrong for you to hope that you will hear something in the near future.

I take it that you are still waiting for your security clearances. I truly feel sorry for you king khan mate. Reps to you for your genuine delight when those who applied long after you get their PR. Hang in there mate.

The answer to your question is yes. However current processing dynamics are holding you guys back. There is a chance of some degree of positive movement in this quarter of the program year though. So stay positive mate.

The processing of G5 885 has resumed at BSPC, since you've applied online in August of 2010, there is a good chance that you'll hear something in the near future.

All I was told is that no P5 885 applications were processed at the ASPC till last Thursday. That doesn't mean that they will no longer be processed this FY. There is still a chance that the processing will resume albeit at a slower pace. Your application should be at the BSPC where only online applications are processed. BSPC doesn't necessarily follow ASPC and often online applications processed ahead of paper lodged ones. So all is not lost for 885 applicants yet. Stay positive mate.

The COs merely process the case files they're assigned to and have nothing to do with the process of allocation. If you check the older posts, you'd see that there have been several instances where the allocation was not in the order of the date of lodgement. Like you said all you can do is just wait. After all, granting PR is entirely Australian government's prerogative. They can stop the whole thing tomorrow if they wish and there is very little the applicants can do about it. So it's better to just stay positive and not get overly upset by things that are beyond your control (it's easier said than done I know).

I understand your frustration mate but cursing DIAC serves no purpose at all. The COs can only work with whatever files that come into their in trays (or the electronic equivalent of it). Perhaps your application was paper lodged while the person you speak of applied online. If that's the case, it shouldn't be a surprise that the other person was allocated ahead of you.

ASPC is currently experiencing an upsurge in higher priority applications which directly affects priority group 5 applicants. For 3 fortnights (till last Thursday) no P5, 885 applications were processed at the ASPC. As far as your group goes, the momentum is currently with onshore family sponsored and left over 886 applications.

If you lodged online, you should get your acknowledgment from the Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre (BSPC). That's how you know.

Was your application online or paper based? The CO I know can only tell me about what's happening at the ASPC.

Applications not processed this financial year will be rolled over to the next one. The main concern with that is the overall size of the migration program and the number of places allocated for each visa category (this is also known as the planning level). If the overall size is reduced next year, all visa categories will have a longer waiting period. If the planning level is reduced for a particular visa category, all the visa subclasses coming under that category will have longer waiting periods. For example if the planning level of Skilled Independent category is reduced, 885,175 and 489 applicants will have to wait longer to be processed (don't also forget that there are priorities within each visa category) The current program year is the largest one in Australia's history with 190,000 places available for applicants. It's not sure whether this will be repeated next year. That's why a lot of people are eager to be processed in this program year.

The good news is that a directive has been issued to start processing your visa category. The bad news is that due to the actual processing dynamics you guys are getting bumped back by the onshore (886) and 489 applicants the moment. Bearing in mind that ASPC handles around 750 cases a week you guys will also be affected by the torrent of higher priority applications that ASPC is currently experiencing. As this is the final quarter of the current program year, things seem to be very hectic and volatile at the processing centers. So to quote my contact, " even the COs are unable to predict anything beyond a week at this moment and have to deal with whatever files that come in to their in trays on a daily basis". Sorry about not being able to be more specific mate.

Last couple of fortnights no P5, 885 applications were processed at the Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre (ASPC). According my contact, who is actually a CO, the main reasons for this are the upsurge in 189 applications and the redirection of some CO teams to process other P5 visa categories as of late. I was also told that they are getting closer to reaching the planning level for the Skilled Independent visa class to which 885 visa subclass belongs. However, currently there are no confirmed plans to stop the processing of 885 for this financial year. This is also the final quarter of the program year, where unexpected and rapid movements in visa processing is entirely within the realm of possibilities. So do not despair and give hope yet folks. Who knows? You could still get a pleasant surprise within the next couple of weeks.

Priority group 5, 175 visa subclass belongs to the skilled independent visa class. This visa class also includes 189 and 885 visa subclasses. This program year, there are 45,500 places allocated for the skilled independent visa class. Subclass 189 has the highest processing priority and 175 and 885 applicants have to wait till all the 189 applications are allocated. Therefore by checking out the number 189 invitations that have been sent out and how many P5 885 visas have been granted so far, one can get a rough idea as to how places are still left. Considering the fact that each 189 application includes a minimum of 2 persons (according to DIAC's Facebook page) which equates to 2 places and we are now into the final quarter of the current program year, it is unlikely that there will be a lot of places left.

If a sponsor withdraws sponsorship prior to the completion of the processing of a visa application, it will be deemed invalid and rejected.