Pearl&Wal

We are in the same boat as we got Regional State Sponsored. As far as i'm aware the 887 is not a points tested Visa though, you've already done all that for the 495.

I wouldn't get too worried just yet. They seem to be doing some targeted, political pruning as opposed to wholesale slashing.

Pearl&Wal

That's right but i'd expect they'll tighten up the MODL, CSL etc long before changing the rules for the Pathway to Permanents style visa's as you're already here, in work, paying tax and filling a role in Regional Australia that the State seemed worthy to sponsor you for.

YOFFSBACK

Having just read Chris Evans is cutting immigration by 14%, but only temporary to allow the downturn to improve,will this effect you if your application process is being processed now on temp visas employer sponsored ?? www.abc.net.au

GarryP

That was exactly the maths I just did.

Assuming they've been good little PMs and have a roughly constant rate of granting visas then the to date they would have granted 94k visas. The new 115k cap suggests that fairly soon they would stop new visa grants until the new year and new cap, allowing only a few urgent cases through.

Jamie Smith

These are being aired tonight in Australia, on ABC TV Lateline Business, about 11pm or so.

Will also be on the ABC website soon after.

Discussion includes alternatives for those affected by these changes.

ABCDiamond

The 200k and the 100k are actually two different figures.

The original planned intake was 190,300 for 2008/09, but that comprised:
133,500 Skilled Migrants
and
56,800 Family and other


The new reduced figure of 115,000 for 2008/09, is only relating to the Skilled migrants number.
ie:
133,500 Skilled Migrants less 14% = about 115,000
+
56,800 Family and other less 14% ? = about 49,000
Gives a total of 164,000 migrants for 2008/09

Compare this to the total for 2007/08 which was 158,630, and it is still an increase over last year.

coolerkingcooler

George,

Would it be possible for you do do a 'sticky' summing up as there are going to be multiple threads springing up. Obviously this is a decision for the Mods but its may make sense.

Regards,
Cooler

husaing

Hi ABC,
Those stats were never meant to be taken seriously but still I would thank you to show that the number of visas for this year is higher than that for last year. Positivity is contagious and we need that in this panicky time.
Husain

helloshivahere

So only you could improve the economy of OZ. You should be in Obamas govt mate can some senior members can recommend

sarahhartopp

I get a monthly email from an immigration agency in perth about whats going on in immergration and stuff this is what i got today -


Announced below is a reduction of 14% in next years numbers (starts 1st July 2009). That will mean an undoubted slowdown in processing of current and future applications. I would estimate that if you are not on the priority lists of occupations (ie state sponsored, critical list or MODL list) then you may look at around 18 months of processing times. This alsowill have an effect on whether you want to do medicals and police clearances at the start given they may well run out.
Much more analysis when we get more details.

* March 16, 2009

THE record immigration intake will be cut for the first time in more than a decade as the Government tries to preserve jobs in a deteriorating global economy.

The Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, will announce a 14 per cent cut to the skilled migration program today, capping the number of workers to enter Australia next year at 115,000, down from 133,500 in 2008-09.

Skilled workers make up the majority of migrants.

The decision to cut back on foreign workers comes as pressure mounts on the Government after last week's jump in unemployment to 5.2 per cent.

"The economic circumstances in Australia have changed as a result of the global financial crisis," Senator Evans said. "It is prudent to reduce this year's migration intake accordingly."

The cuts will be coupled with deletions to the critical skills list, which specifies which jobs are open to migrants. Trades in building and manufacturing will be removed, forcing companies to find bricklayers, plumbers, welders and carpenters domestically. Professions still experiencing skills shortages will be immune, such as nurses, doctors, engineers and information technology workers..

Senator Evans says Australia needs a more targeted list "so that migrant workers are meeting skills shortages and not competing with locals for jobs".

"There are still skills shortages in some sectors, such as health care, and these measures will enable industry to continue to source the skilled professionals they need while protecting local jobs and the wages and conditions of Australian workers."

The move is likely to please unions but upset businesses, which have warned against "short-sighted" migration cuts.

The national secretary of the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union, John Sutton, has argued for construction to be removed from the list. Imported workers were not needed when big companies were sacking Australian workers, he said.

But the Australian Industry Group has said a time lag in migration meant the consequences of adjusted migration numbers and a shortened critical skills list could take up to two years to show. By that time, economic conditions could be vastly different, the chief executive, Heather Ridout, has said

(Source Sydney Morning Herald Newspaper)

helloshivahere

Non CSL MODL GSM 175 lodged in FEB 2009 will be considered in 2008-2009 or 2009-2010 Intake ????

letusenjoy79

Things are changing at a fast pace so no1 can predict the exact timimgs

guuuude

i think it will be a minimum from 18 months for the "normal" (Modl) applicants:curse:

ScottishJen

Just found this and thought would post for anyone who hasn't seen this update elsewhere.

No idea where accountants stand!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/nickbryant/

http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/medi...09/ce09030.htm

geelong

They just said on the news that it was a reduction in THIS years visa's of about 18,000.