alloyStorm

I just got the reply from ASPC regarding my previous enquiry about the priority processing policy.
According to this letter, because my occupation is not on the CSL list, my 175 application is not likely to be allocated in the "current program year"!!

This is just ridiculous! I have waited for more than 9 months and they tell me there won't be any CO allocated to my case in the following 6 months!! And what if they continue this priority processing in the next program year? Does that mean I'll have to wait until the global economy recovers?

How can they do this?

Here is their reply:

Dear Mr Xxxxxxx,

I refer to your feedback received on 19 December 2008 regarding the recent
changes to the skilled migration program.

As you are aware a new priority processing direction came into affect on 1
January 2009. In accordance with this direction the Adelaide Skilled
Processing Centre will give priority to applications that have a State or
Territory Nomination (STNI) and then to those applications where an
applicant has nominated an occupation on the Critical Skills List (CSL).

The direction affects all applications being assessed by the ASPC whether
they were lodged before or after 1 January 2009.

Once applications have been allocated to a case officer they will continue
to be processed to finalisation.

The Adelaide Skilled Processing Centre will now allocate applications to
case officers in the following order:

· Those applications with a successful STNI nomination, then
· Applicants who have nominated an occupation that is included on the
CSL, then
· Applicants who have nominated an occupation that is included on the
Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL); and then
· all other applications.

You lodged an application for a Skilled - Independent (VE 175) visa
nominating the skilled occupation of “Computing Professionals -
Applications and Analyst Programmer” (ASCO Code: 2231-17). This occupation
is not included on either the CSL or the MODL and therefore this
application is not currently eligible for priority processing.

We are unable to advise when this application will be allocated to a case
officer. Allocation dates will vary depending on the volume of
applications received and the number of applications entitled to priority
processing. Having reviewed the current caseload I can advise that it is
unlikely that this application will be allocated in the current program
year.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship acknowledges your concerns
that the processing time for this visa application may now be longer than
you anticipated at time of lodgement.

Further information about these changes is available on our website at
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/gener.../whats-new.htm

Kind regards,
...
...

lastere

high risk/low risk country?

kronk

I thought all computing professionals listed on the MODL list were listed on the CSL list?

alloyStorm

the problem is I'm not on the MODL either...

I'm from high risk country, btw

kronk

sorry just realised that you had already said that you weren't on the MODL list

mb_jg

This is just perfect for everyone who is waiting to start a decent, honest life in OZ!!!!
We have put our entire lives on hold, I have risked my current job status & now this delay.
I just pray & hope that DIAC takes up the GSM applications soon, or else we could be waiting for eternity.

Aitchy

When does the "current program year" run until?

This is worrying, albeit not unexpected, news for all us applicants not on the CSL or MODL.

caliburn

Current program year runs until June 2009.

kuberan6666

This is really Bad, we 175 applicants are feeling cheated,
1) A guy who scores 6 in IELTS and gets 15 points goes for state sponsorship to get that 10 points and he gets priority processing.
2) A guy like me who has scored 7 in all band and eligible for 175 with 125 points , gets his application delayed.
What on earth are these guys upto, and whats the use in scoring more in IELTS and being pushed back. This is ridiculous

mb_jg

Completely agree with you. They have given priority to applicants on the CSL & MODL sure, but I know & have heard of incidents of skilled labor not able to crack it in the real job market due to total lack of communication in english language.
What use is a pork chop if it cannot satify your craving for fatty food heh?!?!?
Cheesy line, I know, but it serves the purpose

TandC23

Well surely IMMI still have to determine your visa within the statutory time frame - ie. 12 months for low risk. otherwise its just not fair!!

mb_jg

If IMMI states a 12-15months wait period for the HR countries I really don't mind waiting it out, unless I am sure I will eventually have some result at the end of it. But in many cases many have been waiting for even 18months for a decision on their app, which is not justified.

cookiestar

12 months is just their service standard, not an actual guarantee, though.

man_called_Horse

Well the other thing to consider is that of all the current lodged applications, there would be a smaller number of ENS, State sponsored and CSL applicants compared to the number of independent GSM applicants.

Its fair to accept that that there would be few companies will put up with the hassle of ENS unless the applicant was already in Australia on say a WHV 417 or 457, and is already working for them .....from experience most employers reckon that its a hassle and a bit risky. So over all there would be considerably lower number of applicants as compared to independent applicants. There are a few exceptions to this but common sense would say that better to employ someone that there in front of you than on the other end of a phone.

Also there would be not to many applicants that can apply for State Sponsored to fill a short list of required occupations. I would say that the states would only be able to process so many at anyone time. So there would be a lower number of applicants as compared to independant applicants.

Also the CSL is a pretty short list there would be only a small number of applicants that would actually qualify to be on that list.

So take into account that of all the current applicants in the system maybe only 20 -30 % are going to get priority.

Even if applicants are going to lodge in the near future and have to get Employer and State approval, could still take months before they are able to lodge.

So if you look at the big picture maybe DIAC are planning on clearing out all the priority applications first, because they are essential and are required now then they will tackle the rest of GSM applications as per usual.

I have heard of ENS being processed and granted within 2 weeks of lodgement, so it might not take that long to clear the backlog. I imagine this whole thing is because of the large number of applications due to the changes in September 2007.... they are just trying to clear the applications that they really need at the moment.

Safaet

Seems to be a workable analysis!! Let's wait...