All OFFSHORE GSM applications lodged before 1 September 2007 will be withdrawn from processing and the applicants will have their visa application charge refunded. This does not apply to onshore pre 1 September 2007 GSM applicants.

This will affect about 20,000 applicants.

This has been done under Section 39 of the Migration Act 1958, whereby if the number of visa applications in a
particular class exceeds a number fixed by the Minister, any outstanding applications beyond that number are
taken not to have been made.

It is not clear when this is actually going to happen.

DIAC states that the Australian Government has decided to cap and cease these visas. Capping and ceasing can happen when the number of applications has exceeded a number fixed by the Minister, but the Minister seems not to have fixed that number yet.