Date: 2010-05-07

Suspension of Offshore General Skilled Migration


The Minister has today announced a temporary suspension of certain general skilled migration visas. The move hopes to ensure that all offshore general skilled applications made after today are in accordance with the occupations included on the new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), to be released later this month. The Minister has not indicated when the suspension will be lifted, however it will be no earlier than the announcement of the new SOL.

The Minister has announced that his Department will not accept applications for the following visa subclasses from 8 May 2010 until further notice:
° Subclass 175 – Skilled Independent;
° Subclass 176 – Skilled Sponsored; and
° Subclass 475 – Skilled Regional Sponsored.

Therefore, any applications received by the Department after 8 May 2010 for one of the above visa subclasses will be returned and the visa application charge refunded.

Please note that this suspension does not affect onshore general skilled migration visas.

If you would like to discuss your options please contact us.