AUSTRALIAN IMMIGRATION NEWS

New Critical Skills List for Migration to Australia

Wednesday, 25 March 2009

DIAC have removed a large number of trade skills such as carpenters, welders and plumbers, from the CSL (Critical Skills List) to reduce Australia's immigration intake.

DIAC have removed all trade skills from the CSL except Gas Fitters, and Aircraft maintenance Engineers as part of recent measures to reduce the intake of migrants to Australia. The list now comprises mainly of health and medical, engineering, and IT professionals.

The changes coincide with Immigration Minister Chris Evans announcement that Australia's skilled migration programme would be cut by 14% in 2008-09.

The implications of this change is that only General Skilled Migration applications which are State/Territory sponsored , or which are on the new Critical Skills list will be processed. Migrants whose skills no longer appear on the CSL will need state or territory sponsorship to qualify.

DIAC have announced that there will be no more visa grants to other applications until further notice. DIAC is currently expected to delay other skilled visa grants and applications until 1 July 2009, or perhaps longer.

If you are interested in Visas to Australia, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia.