The following update has been received from corporate immigration specialist Magrath LLP.

The General Skilled Migration Program is aimed at migrants wishing to relocate to Australia permanently. The Australian Minister for Immigration & Citizenship has announced the following changes to the program:

1. New Skilled Occupation List will soon be announced, to take effect from July 2010. Given that being in an occupation listed on the Skilled Occupation List is a mandatory requirement, if the foreign national's occupation is not listed, they will automatically be disqualified under the program, regardless of how many points they may accumulate under the other attributes. It is expected that some occupations will be taken off the Skilled Occupation List altogether, thereby limiting the number of potential applicants
2. New points test to be announced in April 2010, which is likely to come into effect in July 2010. It is anticipated that there will be more emphasis on the English language
3. The Migration Occupation in Demand List (MODL) is to be abolished immediately. It follows that applicants can no longer obtain additional points for working in a position listed on the MODL. The MODL was the Australian equivalent to the UK's Shortage Occupation List. Applicants will, from now on, need to score points in other areas
4. Applications which were filed before 1 September 2007 and are still pending will be cancelled with immediate effect. Refunds will be issued to the applicants. Foreign nationals who qualify under the new rules will be required to submit a new application

There is a general feeling amongst practitioners that the number of visas may also be capped.

For further information, visit www.magrath.co.uk