Changes to Critical Skills List

Mar 18, 2009

In response to the global economic crisis and the rising unemployment in Australi, the Australian Governemt has announced some changes to the Critical Skills List. This change mostly affects the construction and metal processing trades which are removed from the CSL effective March 16, 2009.

New Critical Skills List - 16 March 2009

What is the Critical Skills List (CSL)?
The CSL contains occupations that have been identified as being in critical demand in Australia. As these occupations are in critical demand, applicants nominating these occupations will have their applications processed as a priority.

What changes are being made to the CSL?
Construction and metal machining trades are being removed from the CSL.

Why are these trades being removed?
These trades are being removed in response to Australia's current skills needs in the economic crisis.

When do changes to the CSL take effect?
The changes to the CSL are effective from 16 March 2009.

Will there be further changes this program year?
There may be further changes this program year dependent on the impact of the global economic crisis on Australia.

My nominated occupation was on the CSL, but has now been removed. What will happen to it now?
The CSL has been changed in response to the current labour market situation and the economic situation. Only those occupations which are currently on the CSL receive priority processing. If an occupation has been removed from the CSL, it no longer qualifies to be processed before other nominated occupations.

I have nominated an occupation which is on the CSL. How am I affected?
If your occupation is on the new CSL, you will receive priority processing. This means that your visa application will be assessed after all the visas which are sponsored by an employer or nominated by a state or territory government, and before other applications.

My occupation is now on the CSL. What should I do?
You do not need to do anything. The department identifies those applications which are now prioritised and will advise you when you are assigned a case officer.