Suspension of General Skilled Migration

[jackster]

hi guys

tried to find the thead i posted around the end of september, in which i said gsm was dead, gill agreed with me at the time, was i correct ???? what is the future of gsm?

[George Lombard]

Regulations announced this morning implementing the decision to suspend the offshore general skilled migration program, and the explanatory statement explains it in these terms:

 

An announcement of the proposed future changes to the SOL is required to address current uncertainty in the community in relation to which occupations will be on the new list. In the meantime, the Regulations will prevent an anticipated surge in certain GSM visa applications that require an occupation on the SOL to be nominated, and allow visas to be granted to persons outside of Australia. This will prevent applicants whose skills may not meet Australia’s skills shortages from making certain GSM applications.

 

Link to this and the legislative machinery is ComLaw Legislative Instruments - Migration Amendment Regulations 2010 (No. 5) (SLI 2010 No. 90) .

 

I imagine there will be litigation - because for some people their last option has been removed without warning - and suggest that people adversely affected by this form a dedicated thread.

 

Cheers,

 

George Lombard

[Guest brownfamily]

We submitted with just under 2 hours til cut-off so am hoping we were OK.

 

I just checked their site and the options for submitting a new online visa for 175, 176 and 475 are now greyed out. As we managed to lodge and get a TRN we are hoping that is OK.

 

I am so glad that you managed to lodge your visa (fingers crossed) and was watching your posts last nite. First thing I did this morning was check that you managed to lodge.....well done.

 

:wubclub:

[Guest itsSHIRLEY]

Hi , I am waiting for my skills assessment to come back from the ANMC, was then going to apply for queensland state sponsership, then the 176 visa. Should I still send in my state sponsership forms when i get my skills assesment back (hoping to hear from them soon), then wait till suspension lifted and hope registered nurses are still on the list (also that diploma registered nurses are still acepted). what do you think, any one got any advice ? ? ?

[Guest guest38933]

:wink: Hopefully all is ok for us as i got a call at 930 am of my agent,that this was happening and was told all GSM Applications had to be in by 3pm (our time) midnight in Oz time !

 

We lodged our 176 Skilled family sponsored visa at 10am and the payment was authourise and taken $2525 - £1511

I do hope it dont get returned now as i Am a welder/fabricator on Boiler maker its called in Oz and lost points recently due to the indemand reduction but luckily had family out there to put the points back up !!

 

I had a feeling this might happen as the first knock back was a shock but in adelaide where my skill is in demand its booming so cant understand the reduction in certain skills? SOL will hit manufacturing i bet

[Guest rachbarlow]

Well to be honest I can understand in one sence by halting the GSM that they want to get the SOL out, and the SMP, and process the people they really need, but leaving us all in limbo whilst these lists are created is unfair and creating a huge backlog. Making the announcement overnight is certainly not fair. They have had plenty of time since feb to sort out the SOL list.

 

I must admire them in a way when we do get there hopefully, at least they are not afraid like this country to keep control of their immigration and get in the 'people needed', not just open up the gates and let people come flooding in. A bit twisted I know but this only applies when we have a visa!!

 

My MAIN concern now is about my application. We lodged in September 09, I know the DIAC say once lodged points are safe blah blah bull bull. But I cannot help having some degree of concern that they may bring something out, another new rule!!, for people already in the system, some radical overnight hairbrain idea, like the cap and kill, but for more recent applicants, in order to reduce their backlog?!! At the moment I feel a high sence of insecurity with applications lodged. I don't mean to sound all depressive, but with the recent stunts I guess even when you have lodged, and the money is taken you are still not that 'safe' until you have the actual visa in your hand!!

[claireg]

I am so glad that you managed to lodge your visa (fingers crossed) and was watching your posts last nite. First thing I did this morning was check that you managed to lodge.....well done.

 

:wubclub:

Thank you:biggrin:

[bernie inn]

Oh well looks like a 476 to begin with for me then, i'll sort out permanent when I get there.

[libbysmum]

Hi All

 

I didn't see today's announcement about GSM visas until I got home this evening. I was too busy at work to pay any attention to PiO during the day, plus when I had a spare moment I was looking that the latest news about the UK General Election.

 

 

 

Gill, You know what?, I reckon Mr Evans purposely waited until yesterday, knowing full well the legendary Gollywobbler would have her attention focused on the british election results, meaning less collateral damage for him, fewer final minute rush applicants. He's scared of you Gill he really is LOL!!:biglaugh:

 

On a more serious note it really is putting me off the idea of planning our lives in australia, everything about immigration is now so uncertain, overnight changes, etc etc, should we just get on with our lives over here?? The OH's next step in his barbering career is to open his own shop, but we wanted to do this in oz, if we were to do it here in the uk, it would mean giving up on our ideas of a life in Oz, which is something I don't want to do!!

 

Sarah

[Guest theredmenace]

Hi , I am waiting for my skills assessment to come back from the ANMC, was then going to apply for queensland state sponsership, then the 176 visa. Should I still send in my state sponsership forms when i get my skills assesment back (hoping to hear from them soon), then wait till suspension lifted and hope registered nurses are still on the list (also that diploma registered nurses are still acepted). what do you think, any one got any advice ? ? ?

 

 

Hi Shirley, Im in the same boat, my wife is a diploma registered nurse and Im a podiatrist and about to send stuff off to the ApodC to register - but will I wait til the new SOL comes out, no point sending them A$600 for nothing?? And then the new State Migration Plans list?? Im not sure if State Sponsorship is still going on at the moment. (I would keep an eye on the Queensland Government website).

Theres a good website at Registered Nurses - Job Outlook which shows about nursing - the good points are "high vacancy levels" etc so I would imagine you'll be fine for a 175 or 176 visa and I woould imagine (though noone can say for sure) that nursing will be on the new SOL. That website will also help you out with your application for state sponsorship.

 

Its all a bit of a nightmare.

 

 

Good luck to you, let me know how you get on.

 

Gary

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Hi RachBarlow

 

My MAIN concern now is about my application. We lodged in September 09, I know the DIAC say once lodged points are safe blah blah bull bull. But I cannot help having some degree of concern that they may bring something out, another new rule!!, for people already in the system, some radical overnight hairbrain idea, like the cap and kill, but for more recent applicants, in order to reduce their backlog?!! At the moment I feel a high sence of insecurity with applications lodged. I don't mean to sound all depressive, but with the recent stunts I guess even when you have lodged, and the money is taken you are still not that 'safe' until you have the actual visa in your hand!!

I agree with you. Australia's immigration policies and the legislation to go with those policies is supposed to be informed by sober, informed thought. It is NOT supposed to be governed by the legislation concerning lotteries and by the social law of the jungle.

 

The Minister for Immi is giving me the impression that Fred Karno's Army is running Australia's immigration programme and that he is Fred Karno, frankly.

 

Very many thanks to Nigelinoz, who very kindly checked the Australian Parliament website and told me as follows:

 

The Senate Estimates Committee will be meeting the Minister for Immigration (who will be accompanied by all of DIAC's senior officials) on Wedesday 26th May 2010 according to the Senate's timetable, which is on the link below:

 

Parliament of Australia: Senate Estimates

 

It is possible to watch some or all of it live, on TV via the Internet.

 

Those of us who have watched some of these live broadcasts before reckon that they are worth watching. You get the chance to put faces to names and also to watch people's body language. (You can read what they actually said in Hansard a couple of days later if you miss any details during the live meeting!)

 

The Senate meets in Canberra, so you have to be conscious of the time difference if you are anywhere except in the Eastern half of Oz.

 

This particular Committee does ask the Minister for Immi some searching questions. Andrew Metcalfe is the boss of DIAC. He always sits next to his Minister and answers many of the questions himself. Sometimes, Metcalfe squirms visibly when one of the Opposition Senators is getting too close to the bone with giving Metcalfe's Minister a hard time but when the issue concerns Government policies. Metcalfe is obliged to keep quiet. His job is to implement the policies, not to decide what they ought to be.

 

The Minister for Immi strikes me as a roughnecked thug, frankly, but I suggest that you watch him in action and decide for yourself, hun.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[tcillc]

The Minister for Immi strikes me as a roughnecked thug, frankly, but I suggest that you watch him in action and decide for yourself, hun.

 

Here is an excerpt from Senator Evans first speech in 1993:

 

'On a personal level, I would like to acknowledge my family for their support and my father and my sister who are in the gallery this evening. My father, a Welshman, brought us to Australia with the intention of moving on to Canada. We never did get to Canada and

I am sure he never imagined his son would one day sit in the Australian parliament. It is of course long overdue that a Western Australian Labor senator with Welsh heritage was elected. The Irish and occasional Scot have dominated the ALP ticket for far too long.'

 

Lucky for Canadian immigrants - otherwise he would have been doing this in Canada!!

 

Complete speech:

Parliament of Australia: Senate: Senators: First Speeches

[rahulpatel1969]

Here is an excerpt from Senator Evans first speech in 1993:

 

'On a personal level, I would like to acknowledge my family for their support and my father and my sister who are in the gallery this evening. My father, a Welshman, brought us to Australia with the intention of moving on to Canada. We never did get to Canada and

I am sure he never imagined his son would one day sit in the Australian parliament. It is of course long overdue that a Western Australian Labor senator with Welsh heritage was elected. The Irish and occasional Scot have dominated the ALP ticket for far too long.'

 

Lucky for Canadian immigrants - otherwise he would have been doing this in Canada!!

 

Complete speech:

Parliament of Australia: Senate: Senators: First Speeches

 

 

Who wants to know what the b*****d said.

[Guest karen190572]

Gutted!! I recieved my tra back 6th May lodged my 175 on 105 points on the 7th May, so just in then tried to do WA SS this afternoon and its been suspended was hoping to bump it up to 176 ........ is there any hope now ??

[Bluecatcollectables]

Here's a Thought!

What if DIAC finally realise that something has to be done, to control the applications coming in, considering that there is still a backlog - myself an applicant from December 2008!! Maybe they are now deciding to pick the creme de la creme, which would in real terms mean less applicants. This might, just might, help us old applicants in the long run (or should that be the short run ... sorry for the pun )

[John Gilfillan]

Go Matilda - Your Gateway to Australia - News

 

Go Matilda News Article and comment ...

 

Best regards.

 

Hi Allan,

 

I am thinking that this is an opportunity for DIAC to catch up on the back log caused by recent changes.As there cant be a lot of CSL left to do and a lot of the people who had done their meds or had a CO before September have been processed, then maybe they will start wading through the next batch. What do you think?

 

 

John:hug:

[Ozzieland]

Hi Ozzieland

 

Thanks.

 

The Aussie Government is all heart, I assure you. Absolutely made of heart, it is. However the relevant sinews of the relevant heart are solely directed at hoping that the Aussie Voter will not turf them out at the General Election which Australia has to call prior to April 2011 according to Wiki.

 

They can see for themselves that Western democracies prefer capitalism to socialism. Philosophically, the Aussie Voter is closer to the Brits than he is to the French, for example. In the UK, the electorate has told Gordon Brown to start packing. The Aussie Voters might tell Krudd the same thing......

 

Cheers

 

Gill

 

I don't know whether to agree that the Australia Government is doing what is right for the Australian Voter or just to get themselves back in to power, but what I am saying here is that either ways you have to do what is right and in the right manner. I dont dispute the fact that they should do things in favour of the 'Australian Voter' but this procedure should be done in the right manner.... Having said that, I guess it is asking too much from 'Politicians' in general.

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Here is an excerpt from Senator Evans first speech in 1993:

 

'On a personal level, I would like to acknowledge my family for their support and my father and my sister who are in the gallery this evening. My father, a Welshman, brought us to Australia with the intention of moving on to Canada. We never did get to Canada and

I am sure he never imagined his son would one day sit in the Australian parliament. It is of course long overdue that a Western Australian Labor senator with Welsh heritage was elected. The Irish and occasional Scot have dominated the ALP ticket for far too long.'

 

Lucky for Canadian immigrants - otherwise he would have been doing this in Canada!!

 

Complete speech:

Parliament of Australia: Senate: Senators: First Speeches

 

Hi tllic

 

Thanks very much indeed for the above.

 

I knew that (Senator) Christopher Vaughan Evans will be 52 on 14th May 2010. He was born in Cuckfield in East Sussex in 1958. With a name like Evans, his father's family obviously hailed from Wales at some stage. I believe that young Christopher was only about 4 or 5 when the family moved to Oz. Since that was about 1962 or so, I think they were probably in the midst of the Ten Pound Poms era and were probably Ten Pound Poms themselves.

 

I didn't know that they had plans to move on to Canada. It is a shame that they didn't stick with Plan A and set off to annoy the Canadians imho. Canada has never done anything to deserve Chris Evans but he might have got lost in a snowdrift if they had gone to Canada, methinks.....

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[Guest rachbarlow]

Hi tllic

 

Thanks very much indeed for the above.

 

I knew that (Senator) Christopher Vaughan Evans will be 52 on 14th May 2010.

 

 

Humm a taurean then!!! A bull in a china shop runs headlong into a situation without thinking...................... I should know i'm the 12th May!! I ran into this whole farce head on not thinking that I was going to have all of these problems and be left dangeling still begging years later!!:arghh:

[vron]

Okay,Mr Evans Im in my 50s, Im Welsh,and Im a Taurean.

Do you think you can get me in to Australia ???:no::no:

[virtual_bajwa]

Hi tllic

 

Thanks very much indeed for the above.

 

I knew that (Senator) Christopher Vaughan Evans will be 52 on 14th May 2010. He was born in Cuckfield in East Sussex in 1958. With a name like Evans, his father's family obviously hailed from Wales at some stage. I believe that young Christopher was only about 4 or 5 when the family moved to Oz. Since that was about 1962 or so, I think they were probably in the midst of the Ten Pound Poms era and were probably Ten Pound Poms themselves.

 

I didn't know that they had plans to move on to Canada. It is a shame that they didn't stick with Plan A and set off to annoy the Canadians imho. Canada has never done anything to deserve Chris Evans but he might have got lost in a snowdrift if they had gone to Canada, methinks.....

 

Cheers

 

Gill

Oho this is really unbelievable. I am also taurian and my birth date is 12 May. That is great..

[tcillc]

Guess what? Some immigration agents in Melbourne have already started advertising CANADA as the next PR destination with claims of PR within 6-9 months, provided you have a minimum qualification at diploma level and a score of 5.5 in IELTS!!

[dasalcedo]

Guess what? Some immigration agents in Melbourne have already started advertising CANADA as the next PR destination with claims of PR within 6-9 months, provided you have a minimum qualification at diploma level and a score of 5.5 in IELTS!!

 

I'm a pre-september 2007 applicant but I sent the whole documentation to the Canadian embassy a week ago. What I know is that IELTS must be at least 6.5 in each band except listening which must be scored at least 7.5 to get the minimum points.

 

IELTS is only for non-native English people and the minimum score depends on the points you need to qualify.

 

Cheers

[Guest Gollywobbler]

Guess what? Some immigration agents in Melbourne have already started advertising CANADA as the next PR destination with claims of PR within 6-9 months, provided you have a minimum qualification at diploma level and a score of 5.5 in IELTS!!

 

 

Hi tllic

 

I found something about this on the internet the other day when I was trying to find out about International Students coming to the UK.

 

Apparently one of the States in Canada is going all out to attract international students and they are saying that studying in Canada is likely to lead to PR n Canada. The whole process is simple and swift according to the Canadian State which is pushing for the Students.

 

It is not so jolly in the UK. Here, we have something called an HSMP visa - Highly Skilled Migration Programme or something similar, I think. This depends on a Points system and seems to have been cloned from the Aussie sc 175 visa in a shake-up that the Brits did in 2009. The HSMP is an independent visa that does not depend on a job-offer, methinks. Studying in the UK is not a direct pathway to getting an HSMP visa and never has been.

 

There is also some kind of employer-sponsored visa for the UK and I believe that some of the Students can get these. I think the instances when the employer can sponsor an ex-Student straight out of college or university are quite rare.

 

I saw an article in a newspaper in the UK about jobs in the UK for International Students. The Sikh Temples are caled Gurdwaras I think and apparently they are doing huge things to help the Indian Students in the UK. The members of the Temple make sure that the Students have a square meal at least once a day and if they cannot find accommodation at a price they can afford, i think they can sleep in the temple.

 

Whatever the details, the article was about a couple of Indian lady Students. They say that they were lured to the UK by an unscrupulous Education Agent and now that they are here, their money has run out and they cannot get part time jobs no matter how hard they try. They don't want to give up and go home because the money is all borrowed and they need to repay it somehow.

 

The journo also interviewed a man in his 60s who is the Leader of the temple or similar. His clear message to the Students is, "Do NOT come to the UK because there are no part time jobs for you and the cost of living is extortionate" - which it is, thanks to Gordon Brown's mismanagement of the UK economy and his greed towards taxing everything in sight instead of managing the economy properly.

 

That said, a few months ago I also heard about International Students who come to the UK under the auspices of the British Ministry of Defence. I think the MoD says that it will give them jobs and sponsor them for visas after they have done a course in the UK or similar. The MoD might well pay them whilst they do the course and can obviously give then part time work, work experience etc. I don't know how it works but apparently if the MoD is involved, the Student visas are forthcoming, easily and quickly.

 

Melbournegirlinny is a qualified Aussie lawyer from Melbourne. She started the thread below yesterday:

 

http://www.pomsinoz.com/forum/migration-issues/85699-humanity-denied-dash-cash.html

 

I have a feeling that International Education is a huge industry in all the countries in the world that provide it. I agree with the author of the book that MGY has provided a link to - I think that as Governments have cut the funding for educating domestic students, the colleges and universities have been forced to look for fee-paying markets from overseas. Only a stupid Government encourages this but the British Government has been incredibly stupid since 1997 imho, so no stupidity by them surprises me.

 

Cheers

 

Gill

[cartertucker]

On the non csl 176 thread...We have just had a post by a PIO member stating that they have been told that even applications 'in the system' will not be processed until June (which, I appreciate isnt far away....

But to be honest, I cant trust that more changes/delays wont be implemented before then...:frown:)