KarenG Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship has today announced cuts to the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program by 14 per cent "to protect local jobs while ensuring employers can access skilled professionals in industries still experiencing skills shortages". The changes are a 14 per cent cut in the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration program intake [from 133 500 to 115 000], and changes to the Critical Skills List (CSL). The new list is now comprised of mainly health and medical, engineering and IT professions. The new Critical Skills List is now being used by DIAC http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/critical-skills-list.pdf. All trades occupations have been removed except for Aircraft Maintenance Engineers and Gasfitters. The Minister has stated that "The Critical Skills List will remain under constant review and the Government will remove occupations from the list if demand for those skills can be satisfied by local labour." We can therefore expect the Critical Skills List to be under continual review and changes can be expected at any time, depending on current economic circumstances. Processing implications: As of now, only General Skilled Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new Critical Skills List will be processed. There will be no visa grants to other applicants until further notice, which is not likely to be before 1 July 2009, and may be much longer. The Minister's media release can be found at: Government cuts migration program Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Scamp1976 Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 At least he's honest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wrussell Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 As of now, only General Skilled Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored, or which have nominated occupations on the new Critical Skills List will be processed. There will be no visa grants to other applicants until further notice, which is not likely to be before 1 July 2009, and may be much longer. Not so. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lostintransit Posted March 17, 2009 Share Posted March 17, 2009 Our agent hasn't even bothered to inform us!!.....If it wasn't for this forum & a friend we wouldn't know anything about this Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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