Australian Government Cuts Migration Program

Australian Government Cuts Migration Programand New Zealand.
Senator Christopher Evans, the Minister for ImmigrationMigration Occupation Demand List (MODL)
and Citizenship, has announced a 14 per cent cut in theIt is important to distinguish between the MODL and
2008-09 Australian permanent skilled migrationthe critical skills list.
program intake from 133 500 to 115 000 in response toThe critical skills list is an administrative tool used by the
the global recession and growing unemployment.Department of Immigration and Citizenship to better
While this cut is significant, it should be rememberedprioritize the processing of permanent skill migration
that the number have only been taken back to thevisa applications so that the Government can be seen
levels that existed in 2004.to be better addressing actual skills shortages in the
The government has also stated that it is now onlyAustralian job market.
processing general skills migration visa applications, andTrades, cooks, chefs and other vocational occupations
granting visas to permanent visa applicants that areare still on the migration occupation in demand list and
State/Territory sponsored, nominated/sponsored by anadditional points for these occupations are still available
employer or who have nominated occupations on theto applicants that satisfy the relevant criteria for award
new critical skills list.of the points.
Further administrative changes saw the removal ofEffects on Visas For International Students
building and manufacturing trades from the critical skillsSubclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa
list, such as bricklayers, plumbers, welders, carpentersSubclass 485 Temporary Graduate Visa Applications
and metal fitters.are not affected by the migration program cuts or
Please note that even though the above occupationschanges of priority in processing.
have been removed from the critical skills list, this doesThese cuts only affect applications for permanent
not stop applicants from lodging applications nor beingskilled migration visas.
awarded migration occupation in demand (MODL)Decision ready applications, lodged by a migration
points in your application - see further below!lawyer or migration agent with decision ready
The full statement of the Minister can be accessed atchecklists, should only be lodged if you want to avoid
-significant delays in being granted the visa.
Effect of Cuts on Applications for Australian GeneralSubclass 885 Onshore Independent (Graduate
Skilled Migration visasStudent)
GenerallyAs this is a permanent visa application, applications for
As stated briefly above, regardless of the Minister forthe subclass 885 visa are affected by the recent
Immigration's statement that no visas will be granted tochanges. Visas will only be granted to applications
applications not on the critical skills list, valid applicationswhere an occupation on the critical skills list is
for general skilled migration visas that nominatenominated.
occupations not on the critical skills list can still beSubclass 886 Onshore Sponsored (Graduate Student)
lodged and must be accepted by the Department ofAs this is a permanent visa application, applications for
Immigration and Citizenship.the subclass 886 visa are affected by the recent
It also does not meant that visas won't be granted tochanges.
such applicants. However, significant time delays canVisas will only be granted to applications where an
be expected before a decision to grant a visa isoccupation on the critical skills list is nominated or
made. How long is virtually impossible to calculate.where the applicant has state / territory sponsorship
Australian processing times for granting visas stilland not family sponsorship.
remain significantly shorter than those of comparableWhere can I find the Critical Skills list and MODL?
countries such as USA, the United Kingdom, Canada