Affective from 15th May 2009, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), have decided to no longer allow those whose skilled occupations are to be found on the ASCO (Australian Standard Classification of Occupations) list in the 5000-7000 range to apply through the “457″ Business (Long Stay) visa. This visa, in the past, has been the vehicle for many in these skills, enabling them to achieve Sponsorship from an Employer looking to fill vacancies in their business. Due to the fact of the slow down in the Economy and therefore Employment, DIAC have chosen to remove this option to reduce the application load in the “457″ areas within DIAC, as well as to reduce the number of applications from lower skilled workers, as there should now be sufficient workers within Australia, who are Australian Citizens, Australian Permanent residents or Elligible New Zealand Citizens.

Those who have already put in an application will be advised by DIAC and given the option of accepting a refund.

Those still wishing to employ those on the 5000-7000 skill range still have the option of applying via the ENS (Employer Nomination Scheme) – a 5 year Permanent visa or the RSMS (Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme) – a 5 year Permanent visa.