Don't get me wrong! As a visa applicant myself, I've no wish to see the CSL reduced any further than it already has been but I am curious, given the global recession and down-turn, why is the Australian government still allowing hundreds of thousands of new immigrants into the country?

I'm in IT, for example, and my skill is on the MODL and the CSL. I'm very concerned that, even with my 20 years of experience and respectable CV, I'll still have problems getting work once I arrive (based on the scarecity of jobs being posted to the various job boards). In the IT industry, there are substantiall fewer positions available now compared to when I started with the whole visa application process.

Given that there are fewer jobs going, why continue to allow more immigrants through the borders?

- CDM

Everything you say seems to be true. About 6 months ago I was very worried that I probably wouldn't get my visa until 2010. Now I think it's probably for the best, it gives the job market some time to recover.

As to why they still allow immigrants to coem over, maybe they really do need certain skills? For instance, if an Australian citizen has 20 years experience in managing a car dealership and then the dealership closes down, he can't really fill a role you are suitable for, he simply doesn't have the skills.

That being said, I still feel it would be wise to stay put for this year if at all possible, and see where things stand next year.

I think it is just a case of government realizing that medical, eng and IT are of strategic importance to Aus, so even though there is recession at the moment, once recovery kicks in 2010/11 they will be needed to help economy recover. I think it is more of a long term view that govt is taking now with regards to these skills.
Secondly, takes much, much longer to educate and train engineer, than, for example, cooks or hairdressers (no offense to anyone), so you do want to keep resources availabe and employ them at short notice. Otherwise if they completely stop processing CSL occupation, they will create a resource gap of 6-12 months, as that is how long it takes for visa to be processed.

"Secondly, takes much, much longer to educate and train engineer, than, for example, cooks or hairdressers (no offense to anyone), so you do want to keep resources availabe and employ them at short notice".

YOUR POINT IS....

Correct me if i'm wrong but it dont take 2 minutes to become a tradesman...

I am a specialist electrician in software writing for drive\automation control but i have been booted from the CSL??

AND YOUR POINT IS...
Takes 8 years to train a doctor, and than another 3-4-5 of practical training before they are let loose on you.
With all due respect, I do not think it takes 8 years to train a hairdresser.

I WASN'T REFERING TO HAIRDRESSERS, BUT THE TIME IT TAKES TO TRAIN TO BE AN ENGINEER.

At the end of the day like i said it doesn't take 2 minutes to become a tradesman..

All in all it has taken me 7 years of apprenticeship and specialist training to get my profession..YET IM OFF THE CSL..

You're not suggesting that only people with trades that take years to learn are those that should be on the CSL? Surely it should be based on what the needs are of the Australian economy?

- CDM

Of course he's not. I think his point is in relation to the post from CaptoSydney which says that IT and Health professionals take years to train.

Yorkshires point is that it took him 7 years to become qualified in his field so by your reasoning he should also be on the CSL. They have booted him off the CSL list as he is not critical skill.... But surely keeping him as local resource will also be necessary as his area is specialist and will be needed when the economy is on the rise.....

I think that is what you are trying to say Yorkshire.... correct me if I am wrong

Thankyou for that Jana and Nick that is exactly what i meant....

I'm frankly amazed that skills such as Hairdressing were ever on this list!

Keeping IT and other professionals on this list now when it's obvious there aren't enough jobs is just a cynical ploy to push wages down further in these fields - as if they aren't low enough in Australia already!

How long do you think it takes to become an engineer?

It takes the full 12 years of high school, plus 4 full years of university. Then you get a graduated engineer with no experience whatsoever. It takes several years after of working after that to become fully fledged professional engieneers.

At least with trades and apprenticing you get on the job training and some pay while you're doing it. The difference is trades can work in their field during the training but an engineer can't go out and do engineering work (design bridges, buildings, etc) without having 4 years of university and several years experience behind them.

I am grateful that Hairdresser were on the list...I am still traumatised by my visit to an Australian hairdresser when I first arrived!!!!!!!!!!

You are off the CSL for one simple reason... currently Australia doesn't need to rush people in with your skills. DIAC are not the slightest bit interested in what they do to peoples hopes and dreams when these lists change... its just cold hearted business.

just like the godfather
its not personal just business

If you have 20 years on a MODL skill you should be right

Example Oracle 20 years experience can walk into a job anywhere on the planet.

Yes I know Oracle is probably not that old