Upon the announcement of the most recent wave of Australian visa changes, it was announced that the Australian government would be replacing the current Skilled Occupation List (SOL) with "a more targeted list of occupations to better meet the medium and long-term future skill needs of the Australian economy."

They also stated that "it is expected that the new SOL will be announced by 30 April 2010 and placed on the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website and take effect from mid-2010." However, this 30 April deadline has now been missed, with the following updated posted on DIAC's website:

"Update on announcement of New Skilled Occupations List

The Government is considering the report from Skills Australia containing their Skilled Occupation List. An announcement and publication of the new Skilled Occupation List for Migration purposes will be made in May."

While the continued lack of clarification is frustrating, it will be interesting to see if DIAC provide any further comment on the delay of the SOL's announcement and whether this will delay its previously announced mid-2010 introduction (which is widely predicted to take place on the 1 July, 2010).

In the meantime though, I will continue monitoring the situation and provide updates as and when I receive them.

- Lauren Mennie is Casework Department Manager for the Australian Visa Bureau.

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