Permanent Skilled Entry Backlog

Further to an entry made recently about the changes to the General Skills Migration (GSM) Program, announce on the
24th September 2009, there have been some repercussions, which have been felt by many.

Because of the advice from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) that the priority will be given to
those applying via the ENS or RSMS (see previous entry on our site), there has been unprecedented flow of
applications to both these sections of DIAC, creating overwhelming pressure on both these Departments.

Once an application has been allocated to a particular Case Officer, and that may be a couple of months, DIAC are
giving an assurance that they will give an answer within 2 days, with an outcome if the application is “decision
ready” or the Case Offcier will request further documentation ot information from the applicant or their Registered
Migration Agent.

Even though the published Service Standards for the ENS and RSMS Department for a decision on an application is
5 months for any application lodged with an ETA approved Passport holder or 7 months of an applicant lodged with a
non-ETA Passport holder, the ENS/RSMS Departments are striving to better this published time frame.

It, of course, goes without saying, that it depends on each individual application, as no case is ever the same and
therefore various senarios will arise which can speed up or slow down each application.

 

If you are requiring assistance with your visa application, please do not hesitate to complete our FREE VISA
ASSESSMENT, which can be found on our front page or send us an email and we will do our best to give the the
correct, Professional, discrete advice.

IELTS Test Places

The current most recognised test which can be taken for Migration purposes is “IELTS”, or International English
Language Test Scheme.

Due to the fact that this will be in place and a pre-requisite for a GSM application as from 1st January 2010,
there is obviously going to be a greater demand from now on, through the rest of 2009 and on through 2010.

We have been advised today that to meet this expected demand, there are a number of inceased positions been made
available in the following cities in Australia:-
BRISBANE
5 December [General & Academic]
    – still some places available
    – Open to interstate candidates
12 December
    – 350 places available
    – Information about this test will not be on the www.ielts.org website until next week.
SYDNEY
5 December [General]
    – approximately 600 places available.
    – Currently only available for candidates living in NSW
MELBOURNE
12 December [General & Academic]
    – 1,000 places available.
    – Currently only available for candidates living in Victoria

PERTH
5 December [General]
    – some places still available

ADELAIDE -

5 December [General]

     - 200 extra places available

There are currently places also available on 5 December at Rockhampton (QLD) [General & Academic]

Those considering taking an IELTS test overseas, should check via the IELTS site for their closest examination
centre.
Should you require further assistance regarding this matter or any other matter concerning you and your Migration
to or within Australia, please do not hesitate to contact us via our site or by completing the FREE VISA
ASSESSMENT APPLICATION on our front page.