DIAC are now processing skilled migration applications that are at processing priority level 5. Following consultation between the states and the federal government regarding the changes introduced in September 2009 and representations made to the Minister directly from applicants and other interested bodies, it appears that there is going to be some processing of the level 5 applications. Level 5 applications are those that are nominated by a state or territory who do not have an occupation listed on the critical skills list (CSL). The major emphasis at present appears to be in processing applications that had been called to attend to health and character requirements prior to the 23 September changes.
DIAC further advise that there are currently approximately 3500 priority 5 applications waiting to be processed and that the department is now in a position to commence making some progress with these applications. It was not known whether all these applications would be processed under the existing program year or if a percentage would have to wait until the 2009/10 visa program year. This, to some degree, will be dependent upon the number of higher priority visa applications that are lodged in the during the remainder of this visa year.
We are currently seeing priority level 2 applications processed to health and character requirements in a matter of days after lodgement and priority 4 applications are being called for health and character in approximately 3 months. It is doubtful that there will be many applications at priority 3 at this stage.
In summary there should be some significant shift in the time frame for the processing of priority 5 applications from the advice originally provided by DIAC post the September 23 changes announcement.
