When the Australian immigration changes were announced on 8 February, 2010, it was said that 'State Migration Plans are being developed by State/Territory governments and include occupations that are in demand in each individual state and territory. Each state migration plan is approved by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.'
No firm indication as to their date of introduction was given, with only the vague assertation that the State Migration Plans would be launched in 'mid-2010'. Many migration agents and visa applicants were hopeful that their introduction would accompany the re-opening of the Australian General Skilled Migration (GSM) program and the implementation of the new Australian SOL (Skilled Occupation List) on 1 July, 2010.
However, it's now 1 July, 2010 and none of the Australian States and Territories have released full details of their State Migration Plans. See below for the latest updates from each State / Territory:
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WESTERN AUSTRALIA
The release date of Western Australia's State Migration Plan will definitely not fall on 1 July, 2010, as the State Migration Plan still has to be approved by the Minister.
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VICTORIA
The release date of Victoria's State Migration Plan will be in place no earlier than August, 2010.
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SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The release date of South Australia's State Migration Plan will definitely not fall on 1 July, 2010, as the State Migration Plan still has to be approved by the Minister.
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QUEENSLAND
The release date of Queensland's State Migration Plan will definitely not fall on 1 July, 2010, as the State Migration Plan still has to be approved by the Minister.
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NEW SOUTH WALES
A Skills in Demand List of occupations that NSW will sponsor from 1 July 2010 for the Skilled Sponsored (176) and Skilled Regional Sponsored (475) visas has been released.
NSW have advised that there may be a small number of additional occupations added to these lists later in the year from occupations not on the new Skilled Occupation List if agreement can be reached with the Commonwealth Government on the terms of a NSW State Migration Plan.
To view this Skills in Demand List of occupations, please click the link below:
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NORTHERN TERRITORY
The release date of the Northern Territory's State Migration Plan has tentatively been set for 1 September, 2010.
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TASMANIA
Tasmania's website states that the program will remain suspended until 3 July, 2010, although it's possible that this suspension may be extended as we have also been advised that the program is closed until further notice.
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AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY (ACT)
The release date of the ACT's State Migration Plan has tentatively been set for 1 August, 2010.
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- Tom Blackett is Online Editor for the Australian Visa Bureau
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