Are further Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) changes to the Australian skilled visa program on the horizon?  It's already been a busy year, and a recent skilled migration forum with the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) gives the impression that applicants should expect even more Australian skilled visa changes as the year progresses.

Presenting at the forum was Peter Speldewinde, Assistant Secretary for the Labour Market Branch of DIAC, who indicated that changes were being considered in the following areas:

• Further reviews of the Critical Skills List (CSL)
• Standardise the English language requirement
• A pathway to General Skilled Migration (GSM) for subclass 457 visa holders
• Introduction of a Job-ready test
• Review of the Australian skilled visa points test
• Review of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
• Review of the Business Skills program
• Review of the requirements for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) and Regional Skilled Migration Scheme (RSMS)
• An entirely new skilled migrant selection model

Unfortunately, we don't know anything beyond the fact that the above items are all going to be under consideration. However,  if you're a skilled visa applicant and you're able to lodge sooner rather than later, I'd certainly recommend that you do so.

However, even if you aren't able to lodge your application soon, please don't worry or panic; just be aware that 2009 is likely to see even more Australian skilled visa changes. More news on all these potential changes will be posted as we receive it.

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

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