As of 23 September 2009, skilled visa applications that are categorised as lower priority groups cannot be processed until those in the higher priority groups are finalised in accordance with the new priority processing arrangement.

Permanent Visa Category

New Priorities Processing Arrangement (from high to low):

The new priorities processing order applies to both new applications and applications awaiting a decision:

1. Employer Nomination and Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme Visas
2. General Sponsored Skilled Migration (State/Territory government) Visas with occupation listed on the Critical Skills List
3. General Sponsored Skilled Migration (Family) Visas with occupation listed on the Critical Skills List
4. General Skilled Migration Visas with occupations listed on the Critical Skills List
5. General Sponsored Skilled Migration (State/Territory government) Visas with occupation not listed on the Critical Skills List
6. General Sponsored Skilled Migration Visas with occupations on the Migration Occupations in Demand List and General Sponsored Skilled Migration (Family) Visas with occupation not listed on the Critical Skills List
7. Other General Skilled Migration Visas

Time Frame

If your nominated occupation is on the Critical Skills List, it is estimated that your application will be finalised within 12 months from your lodgement date.

If your nominated occupations is not on the Critical Skills List and you applied for an offshore General Skilled Migration visa or intend to apply before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2012. For onshore applications likewise, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2011.

Options

If you have already lodged your visa application and it is unlikely that your visa will be granted before the end of 2012, you have the following options:

·         Continue to await a decision on your visa application

·         Consider your eligibility for an employer sponsored visa

·         Withdraw your application (no refund)

Temporary Visa Category

For Subclass 485 (Skilled – Graduate) visa the following processing priorities apply:

1. Completed an Australian Doctor of Philosophy at an Australian educational institution in Australia
2. With occupation on the Critical Skills List
3. Completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institution in Australia
4. Completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Honours degree (at least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
5. Completed an Australian Bachelor degree or Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institutional institution in Australia
6. All other applications

For Business Skills (Provisional) visas the following priorities apply:

1. Sponsored by the Common wealth or State/Territory government
2. All other applications

To avoid any unecessary delays and get your application right the first time, make sure you use a registered migration advisor and select from one of LIVE IN australia.com's flexible services.