The government has just announced changes to the order in which some skilled migration visa categories are processed. These changes may affect your application.
The changes mean that the government will now give the highest priority to visa applications that will see job vacancies filled in regional or low population parts of Australia.
Is your visa application part of the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS), Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) or General Skilled Migration (GSM)? These changes apply to future applications under these schemes as well as those being processed now.
Order of priority
The changes mean that applications (including those currently in the system) will now be processed in the following order:
- Priority 1 - RSMS Program
The highest processing priority is for people who are sponsored by an employer in a regional centre.
- Priority 2 - ENS Program
Second priority is for those sponsored under the Employer Nomination Scheme.
- Priority 3 - Nominated by a state or territory
If you are nominated by a state or territory government under their state migration plan you are at the third level of priority.
- Priority 4 - Occupation on the Skilled Occupations List
If your nominated occupation is on the Skilled Occupation List you are at priority level four. This applies to independent applicants as well as those sponsored by an Australian family member.
Priority processing will affect the following GSM visa codes: 175,176, 475, 487, 495, 496, 497, 861, 862, 863, 880, 881, 882, 885, 886, 887.
What if my occupation is not on the list?
It is not possible to alter your nominated occupation. If you wish to change your nominated occupation you will have to file a new application.
Reason for the changes
The Australian Government is trying to increase the number of skilled migrants coming to work in rural Australia due to rapidly growing population in the major cities that is affecting services in these centres. Immigrant communities are growing in many parts of regional Australia and the government wants to encourage this trend.
Questions?
Please refer to our immigration advisory services if you have any questions about your application.
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