Details have been released of extensive changes to the General Skilled Migration program.

Highlights of the changes include;

1 Revocation of the Migration Occupations in Demand List.

2 Abolition of the Critical Skills List.

3 The introduction of a new Skilled Occupations List in mid 2010.

4 A quota being placed on pre-1 September 2007 offshore applications with applications not
coming within the quota being “terminated’ and the filing fee refunded.

5 Changes to priority processing.

6 A review of the points test

7 Allowing pre-1 January 2010 trades skills assessments to be used for General Skilled
Migration applications so the holders of such assessments will not be required to undertake
the Job Ready Program.


Transitional arrangements have been made which are outlined in material on the DIAC website.


An overview
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-gsmchanges.pdf


Abolition of the Migration Occupations in Demand List
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-modl.pdf


Onshore overseas students
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-onshore-student.pdf



Pre-1 September 2007 offshore applications
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-offshore-preseptember.pdf



Changes to the Skilled Occupation List
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-sol.pdf



Revocation of the Critical Skills List
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/csl-gsm.pdf


Change to priority processing
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/priority-processing.pdf


Points test review
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-points-test.pdf


Changes to skills assessment rules regarding trades
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/changes-skills-assessment.pdf

iam ready to go ahead with my aqf then log my application for a 175 visa but not sure if i should wait to see wot the changes bring ? don't want to wast money on my aqf in case i can't log it on time before the changes in June. is it worth waiting to see wot the changes are before going a head with my aqf ? think there announcing the changes this month sometime , but they wont kick in till June. they could even say everyone who applied on the old rules will not get in ? its so frustrating !!! do you think its a good idea to get my aqf hoping that there's still a way in to oz with a aqf ? also wot do i need to log my application? is it just my aqf and tra assessment ? any help would be great thanks !

Terry, you will need the AQF regardless, so you might as well go ahead with it. Tiling was on the Critical Skills List, so I'd be surprised if it was not on the new Skilled Occupation List. However, there will be a new points test and we do not know what the new criteria will be. If you apply before the changes come in, then you will be processed under the old rules, but there never is any guarantee that won't change things retrospectively. Considering the long processing times for sc. 175, it might be worthwhile looking into employer or state sponsored visas as well.I'll post an update once the new requirements have been announced.