Suspension of Australian visas lifted
by Mary Jones - July 3, 2010
Australia, 3rd July: The Australian government has lifted suspension of Australian visas with effect from 1st July 2010 onwards.
Apart from lifting of temporary suspension of Australian visas, some major changes have been introduced to the GSM (General Skilled Migration) program.
The changes in the GSM are likely to improve inflow of students to Australia, feels the Australian government.
Meanwhile, it has been clarified by the Australian High Commission, New Delhi that the changes introduced are not in Australian
student visa program but only in skilled migration program of Australia.
From now on, the new SOL (skilled occupation list) will come into effect replacing the old skilled list.
Also, applications for subclasses of Australian visas including Skilled Independent (Migrant) visa-Subclass 175, Skilled Sponsored
Migrant) visa –Subclass 176 and Skilled Regional Sponsored (Provisional) visa- Subclass 475 will be accepted from 1st July 2010.
The new SOL will only 183 occupations in place of the earlier 400 occupations, the Australian immigration department maintained.
However, here is good news for aspiring applicants for Australian visas in the Australian Skilled Sponsored Visa’s new occupations list because this list still has some occupations that have been cut off from Australia’s Skilled Independent visa.
In order to become eligible for applying under this visa category, applicant must the occupation on the list of the States, i.e., the sponsorship must be supported by the state in which the prospective immigrant wants to move.
Justifying the changes in the Skilled Migration Program of Australia, the Australian High Commission said the changes are in tune
with the current requirements of the Australian labor market. It further maintained that the current GSM program is perfectly designed
to suit the labor requirements as stated by Skills Australia.
Changes to the Australian SOL will be made every year to meet the requirements of the Australian labor market.
About 5 months ago on 8th February 2010, the decision of the Australian immigration to cap the applications for Australian skilled migration visas submitted before 1st September 2007 was announced by Chris Evans, Australian minister for Immigration and
Citizenship.
Australia is focusing on alluring increased number of immigrants to regions including Western Australia and Queensland which require more skilled workers to fulfill the needs of the local industry.
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