GSM (Gen.Skill.Migration) – Priority Processing Changes
GSM (Gen.Skill.Migration) – Priority Processing Changes
The Minister for Immigration, Senator Chris Evans, effective 23 September 2009, has made changes to the priority to which the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) will review applications for GSM visas.
This will apply to those already in the pipeline as well as those yet to be lodged. This ruling also encompasses both “on-shore” and “off-shore” application.
This new priority hierarchy is as follows:-
- ENS and RSMS applications
- State/Territory nominated applications with nominated occupation on Critical Skills List (CSL)
- Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on CSL
- Applications not nominated or sponsored, but with nominated occupation on CSL
- State/Territory nominated applications with nominated occupation NOT on CSL
- (i) applications with nominated occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) (ii) Family member sponsored applications with nominated occupation on the MODL
- All other applications processed in the order in which they are received
GSM visas subject to priority processing
Skill Matching Subclass 134
Skilled – Independent Subclass 136
Skilled – State/Territory-nominated Independent Subclass 137
Skilled – Australian-sponsored Subclass 138
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Subclass 139
Skilled – Independent Subclass 175
Skilled – Independent Subclass 176
Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 475
Skilled – Graduate Subclass 485
Skilled – Regional Sponsored Subclass 487
Skilled – Independent Regional Subclass 495
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored (Provisional) Subclass 496
Graduate – Skilled Subclass 497
Skilled – Onshore Independent New Zealand Citizen Subclass 861
Skilled – Onshore Australian-sponsored New Zealand Citizen Subclass 862
Skilled – Onshore Designated Area-sponsored New Zealand Citizen Subclass 863
Skilled – Independent Overseas Student Subclass 880
Skilled – Australian-sponsored Subclass 881
Skilled – Designated Area-sponsored Overseas Student Subclass 882
Skilled – Independent Subclass 885
Skilled – Sponsored Subclass 886
GSM visas NOT subject to priority processing
Skilled – Recognised Graduate Subclass 476
Skilled – Designated Area – Sponsored (Residence) Subclass 883
Skilled – Regional Subclass 887.
The Minister has gone further to expand on the hierarchy for a specific visa:-
Processing priority for subclass 485 applications
1. Applications from people who have completed an Australian Doctor of Philosophy (PHD) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
2. Applications from people who have nominated an occupation on the CSL
3. Applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institution in Australia
4. Applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree and Australian Honours degree (at least upper second class level) at an Australian educational institution in Australia
5. Applications from people who have completed an Australian Bachelor degree or Australian Masters degree at an Australian educational institution in Australia
6. All other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.
The Minister actually goes further, mentioning briefly, Business Skills visas:-
Business Owner – 160
Senior executive – 161
Investor – 162
State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner – 163
State/Territory Sponsored Senior Executive – 164
State/Territory Sponsored Investor – 165
Established Business in Australia – 845
State/Territory Sponsored Regional Established Business in Australia – 846
Business Owner – 890
Investor – 891
State/Territory Sponsored Business Owner – 892
State/Territory Sponsored Investor – 893
Processing priority for Business Skills (Provisional) visa applications
1. Applications from people who are sponsored by the Commonwealth or a State/Territory government
2. All other valid applications are to be processed in the order in which they are received.
The Minister has also, to help all applicants understand how long they will have to wait for their visa to be processed, has given an indication of processing times.
DIAC’s estimated processing times:-
Applications with nominated occupation on CLS: within 12 months of lodgement
If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you have applied for an offshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an offshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2012.
If your nominated occupation is not on the CSL and you applied for an onshore GSM visa or intend to apply for an onshore GSM before the end of 2009, it is unlikely that your visa will be finalised before the end of 2011.
Your “nominated occupation” is the occupation you nominated at the time you lodged your application and cannot be changed.
The Minister has also published, to assist applicants, a document with Frequently Asked Questions which may be raised. Please follow the link.
Should you have any further questions, or if you wish to obtain Professional advice, please do not hesitate to complete our FREE VISA ASSESSMENT on our front page, or contact us direct via phone or email.
