| Migration Expert Australia has clarified new | | | | have been waiting 3 years or more for an |
| sweeping changes to the skilled migration program | | | | outcome to their application. |
| announced by the Australian Department of | | | | The removal of the MODL is another immediate |
| Immigration and Citizenship on 8 February 2010 | | | | change that will impact those that are currently |
| on their website: | | | | making their work visa application. Previously, |
| The major changes announced by the Minister for | | | | people with an occupation on the MODL received |
| Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans | | | | an additional 15 points towards their points-based |
| include: | | | | assessment. People preparing their work visa |
| - An immediate end to the Migration Occupations | | | | applications currently will need to re-assess their |
| on Demand List (MODL); | | | | ability to meet the required pass mark in order to |
| - The scrapping of the Critical Skills list (CSL) to | | | | lodge a valid application. |
| be implemented in April or May 2010; | | | | The Australian Department of Immigration and |
| - A new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), which is | | | | Citizenship (DIAC) have not yet revealed how |
| expected to be a "cut-down" list for only the | | | | visa applications lodged after February 8, and |
| most urgent occupations to be released in mid | | | | before the new SOL list is released, will be |
| 2010; | | | | handled. Migration Expert cautions prospective visa |
| - Review of the points test system of evaluating | | | | applicants against making assumptions in regards |
| work visa applications; and | | | | to how and when their visa applications will be |
| - Cancellation and refund of off-shore work visa | | | | handled if lodging before the new SOL is |
| applications made before September 2007. | | | | introduced. |
| The most pressing concern for many visa | | | | Other changes such as the review of the points |
| applicants is the "purging" of off-shore visa | | | | system, and the new SOL are scheduled for later |
| applications made prior to September 2007. There | | | | in the year, and DIAC are yet to provide specific |
| are approximately 20,000 people who will have | | | | information in relation to the changes. There is a |
| lodged their work visa application before | | | | potential that many more applications could be |
| September 2007, who will now lose that | | | | affected by these changes. |
| application and be required to start the process | | | | Migration Expert Australia will provide clients with |
| again from the beginning, provided they are able | | | | additional information as DIAC releases further |
| to meet the current requirements. | | | | details. Anyone with questions or concerns about |
| The Australian Government has promised to | | | | their work visa to Australia is encouraged to |
| refund the visa application fees for all applications | | | | arrange a consultation with our Registered |
| affected by this particular change, though it | | | | Australian Immigration Consultants. |
| provides small comfort for those people who | | | | |