Well, it is now over a week since DIAC Minister Chris Evans announced his latest round of policy changes to the general skilled migration (GSM) program. While changes to the MODL were anticipated, many of the announced changes took the migration and education industry by surprise and provided some devastating news for applicants currently in the pipeline who applied before 1 September 2007.
It is with a high degree of amazement that I read on many Australian migration internet chat forums how incensed and distraught that the members are at these changes and the heartless policy measures that have been taken and how this is helping to destroy some peoples dreams and aspirations of a new life in Australia.
The current minister for Immigration has demonstrated for more than a year now that he has no particular problem making no notice changes to policy that impacts on GSM visa applicants at all stages of the process and applying fatal retrospective policy to existing visa applicants. This has been a pattern that has been apparent since the change of federal government in 2007, throughout the latter part of 2008 and all throughout 2009 this has been reinforced by the number of policy changes that were enacted during this period. The minister is absolutely un-apologetic about the manner in which he manages the GSM program and whilst he recognizes that many people will now never see a permanent residence visa he remains unmoved in that regard. For anyone who doubts this they should read the ministers comments in the following article http://inside.org.au/skilled-migration-gets-a-makeover/
The migration industry, as a whole, recognized this characteristic in the minister and his senior advisers very early in their tenure. With almost one voice the industry has had one unanimous message to anyone who was thinking of migrating to Australia. That message was and still is “if you are serious about making an application for a GSM visa and you are currently eligible - apply now while you are still able!!”
More changes to the skilled occupation list (SOL) and the points test are now being foreshadowed by DIAC. Based on their current track record any expectations of lead time or prior notice to allow applicants to get their application lodged before the changes come into effect would be naïve in the extreme. Trying to 2nd guess the department and what they might do next and whether it will be better for you to wait is an exercise fraught with danger to your migration aspirations. Some of the more obvious implications of the next round of changes will be:
A bias towards more professional occupations on the SOL will undoubtedly see a de-emphasis on the more technical/trade based occupations. There is likely to be far more emphasis on occupations that require higher level (degree) tertiary qualified candidates. Likely biggest losers will be trades persons.
State sponsorships will continue to make a significant difference to the processing priority of visa applicants and most candidates will now be considering that a state/territory sponsorship will be an integral part of their migration application process. This is all fine but do not lose sight of the fact that the minister has now put the states on notice that their migration plans will have to be “approved by his department” and that he is enacting new powers that will allow him to put a cap on the numbers of visas to be granted in specific occupations. So those looking at state/territory sponsorship as their salvation in terms of making a valid application may want to think about getting through that process before the minister has “his finger in the pie” to a much larger degree!
If you are a Cook or a Hairdresser by occupation you can almost guarantee that your occupation will not appear on the new SOL and any wish to sponsor these occupations by respective states/territories will be able to be monitored and counteracted by DIAC.
Anyone who takes the time to do a quick review of the GSM policy changes of the last 20 years would very quickly see that there has been one significant constant in each change. This being that every time a significant change occurred, DIAC effectively “raised the bar” in terms of candidates meeting the requirements for a GSM visa.
Where does that leave you right now?? If you are serious about gaining the opportunity of a new life in Australia, it is time to put aside your emotional feelings regarding what the department have done to date - nothing is going to change it! Your choices are fairly simple really:
you stop “fence sitting” and move on and lodge a visa application as you are currently eligible and whatever happens with future changes will be unlikely to affect you, or
you think about putting all your efforts into gaining some form of employer sponsorship that will allow you to make a visa application under the ENS program, or
You put the idea of migration to Australia to bed and orient you’re thinking to staying in the UK or looking at some other country to move yourself and/or your family.
The sooner you can get past the “emotional outrage” at the changes of the last 18 months or so and how they may have affected you and think more objectively about what you need to do to have the best possible chance to secure a permanent residence visa the easier and more secure the process will become for you.
There is a limited window of opportunity before the new SOL becomes effective and any new points test is introduced. Take advantage of this period to safeguard your visa application prospects by committing to the process now!
You should call us now to discuss your options on 0845 644 5607 or click here to complete our free online assessment
