Australian Immigration Policy Changes Begin

01 Jul 2010

The changes in Australian immigration policy will come into effect from today,after the temporary suspension of accepting certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visas have been lifted off from 1st July 2010, new applications for some visa subclasses are accepted as normal: they are subclass175 - Skilled Independent (Migrant) visa, subclass 176 - Skilled Sponsored (Migrant) visa, subclass 475 - Skilled Regional Sponsored (provisional) visa.

If applicants are unable to apply for GSM as per the new SOL, then they can apply for other visas and check if they meet the criteria. For example: Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS), Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), further student visa etc. From 1 July 2010, applicants for certain GSM applications will be required to demonstrate that they have been nominated by a state or territory government agency or sponsored by an eligible relative apply.

The changes will be effected on new and old applications as well. The old SOL was based on Australian Standard Classification of Occupations and the new SOL is based upon the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations which will assess the applications. The new list does not apply to employer-sponsored permanent or temporary visas.