Mar 17, 2009

DIAC has a priority processing schedule which determines the order in which visa applications are processed are given priority and which are processed first. DIAC relies on the Australian Economic situation as well as information form the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). In response to the current economic condition and rising unemployment, DIAC has changed the Priority Processing Schedule.

DIAC has a prioority processing schedule which determines the order in which visa applications are processed are given priority and which are processed first. DIAC relies on the Australian Economic situation as well as information form the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR). In response to the current economic condition and rising unemployment, DIAC has changed the Priority Processign Schedule.

What will happen to priority processing with these changes to the migration program?

The priority processing directions introduced by the Minister on 1 January 2009 are still in operation and will be applied to all skilled visa applications.

What are the processing priorities?

The priority processing direction gives priority processing to permanent applications in the following order:

1. Employer sponsorship.
2. State or territory sponsorship.
3. An occupation on the Critical Skills List (CSL).
4. An occupation on the MODL.
5. All other applications.The new priority processing direction gives priority processing to provisional applications in the following order:
   1. State or territory sponsorship.
   2. Family sponsorship where the applicant's occupation is listed on the CSL.
   3. All other applications.

Which applicants will receive priority processing?
The priority processing Direction gives priority to applicants with employer sponsorship, state or territory nomination and those skilled migration applicants with an occupation on the CSL.

What subclasses are exempt from S499 Ministerial Direction?
Visa subclasses 485, 487, 476 and 887 are exempt from S499 Direction.

When were the changes to priority processing introduced?
These changes came into effect on 1 January 2009.

Why were the changes to priority processing introduced?
In the 2008 Budget, the skill stream of the migration program for 2008-09 was significantly increased to 133 500 places as part of the Government's strategy to counter the risk of increased inflation due to pressure on the growth of wages. However, after the 2008 Budget, there was a significant change in Australia's economic circumstances as a result of the recent global economic crisis.This crisis has weakened the Australian economy. In response to these changes in circumstances, the Minister announced a more targeted approach to the 2008-09 skilled migration program. This announcement included priority processing of employer sponsored visa applications, state and regional nominated visa applications and the introduction of a CSL of occupations.People seeking to migrate to Australia who have skills or qualifications in one of the occupations on the current CSL are processed in a higher priority to those applicants who do not. This includes all applications that are on hand as well as any applications received in the future.

Are these changes temporary or permanent?
The skilled migration program is continually reviewed and assessed for its relevance and outcomes in light of the economic and social needs of Australia. The program is modified as these needs change.

Is there any difference in processing between onshore and offshore programs?
No, the new priority processing will affect onshore and offshore applications equally.

What occupations or industries are affected?
Occupations that are not included in the CSL will not be given priority processing unless applicants are sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government.

What is happening to the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)?
There have been no changes to the points allocated for MODL. The MODL methodology will be reviewed as necessary to determine any changes required for its continued use for skilled migration purposes.Under the section 499 Ministerial Direction, General Skilled Migration applicants who nominate an occupation from the MODL will receive priority processing after those employer sponsored applicants, applicants nominated by a state or territory government and applicants who nominate an occupation from the CSL. This means that applications which have MODL occupations will be assessed as the next priority.

When will the review of the MODL be undertaken?
The MODL is reviewed roughly twice a year but the Government can announce changes at any time. Currently no changes to the MODL have been advised by DEEWR. A review of the research methodology has commenced and is expected to be completed later in 2009.

Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship