DIAC Priority Processing Changes

Dec 14, 2009

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has set new priority processing arrangements for certain Skilled Migration visas. These arrangements are designed to better address the needs of industry by targeting skills in critical need across a number of sectors. The current priority processing Direction commenced on 23 September 2009.

The Direction applies to applications in the pipeline that have not been finalised, and to applications lodged with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, on or after 23 September 2009. Priority processing applies to both onshore and offshore applications

PROCESSING PRIORITIES (highest priority listed first)

1.     ENS and RSMS applications
2.     State/territory nominated applications with nominated occupation on Critical Skills List (CSL)
3.     Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on CSL
4.     Applications not nominated or sponsored, but with nominated occupation on CSL
5.     State/territory nominated applications with nominated occupation NOT on CSL
6.     (i) applications with nominated occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
(ii) Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on the MODL
7.     all other applications processed in the order in which they are received

GSM visas subject to priority processing
Skill Matching Subclass 134 
Skilled - Independent Subclass 136 
Skilled - State/Territory-nominated Independent Subclass 137 
Skilled - Australian-sponsored Subclass 138 
Skilled - Designated Area-sponsored Subclass 139 
Skilled - Independent Subclass 175 
Skilled - Independent Subclass 176 
Skilled - Regional Sponsored Subclass 475 
Skilled - Graduate Subclass 485 
Skilled - Regional Sponsored Subclass 487 
Skilled - Independent Regional Subclass 495 
Skilled - Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) Subclass 496 
Graduate - Skilled Subclass 497 
Skilled - Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen Subclass 861 
Skilled - Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen Subclass 862 
Skilled - Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand Citizen Subclass 863 
Skilled - Independent Overseas Student Subclass 880 
Skilled - Australian-sponsored Subclass 881 
Skilled - Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student Subclass 882 
Skilled - Independent Subclass 885 
Skilled - Sponsored Subclass 886

GSM visas NOT subject to priority processing
Skilled - Recognised Graduate Subclass 476 
Skilled - Designated Area - Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883 
Skilled - Regional Subclass 887.

Processing priority for subclass 485 applications
1.     applications from people who have completed an Australian Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) at an Australian  educational institution in Australia
2.     applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the CSL
3.     applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Masters degree at an  Australian educational institution in Australia
4.     applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Honours degree (at  least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
5.     applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree or Australian Masters degree at an  Australian educational institution in Australia
6.     all other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

Processing priority for Business Skills (Provisional) visa applications
1.     applications from people who are sponsored by the Commonwealth or a State/Territory government
2.     all other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.

DIAC's estimated processing times
Applications with nominated occupation on CSL: within 12 months of lodgement.

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you have applied for an offshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an offshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2012.

If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you applied for an onshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an onshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2011.

Your 'nominated occupation' is the occupation you nominated at the time you lodged your application and cannot be changed.

Source: MIA & See DIAC website http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-priority-processing.pdf