On 23 September 2009, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, issued a Direction setting processing priorities for certain skilled migration visa applications.

Many applicants had already been in the processing system for long periods when the Direction was given. A number of applicants were told that their applications were unlikely to be finalised before the end of 2012.

Some applicants had already been instructed to complete their health and character assessments by the Department and had incurred significant costs in doing so. These applicants were also affected by the processing priorities Direction.

The Migration Institute of Australia, Ross Relocation Services and many other registered migration agents have taken up the fight on behalf of applicants. But, the Minister has incredible power under the Migration Act and, coupled with support from local lobbying groups such as certain unions, it is a tough battle.

A small victory was recently achieved when one of our clients, who had already been instructed to complete health and character assessments and then told to wait until 2012, was granted a visa. We know that there will be others out there shouting “WHAT ABOUT ME?” We can assure you that we are doing everything we can to get your visas granted too.

In our opinion there is something that it more powerful than the Minister that we believe will result in better processing times in the future. That is the Australian economy. 

The following reports are worth reading:

BusinessWeek

The Australian

The Sydney Morning Herald

As the Australian economy continues to strengthen, the existing skills shortage will be exacerbated and that is good for General Skilled Migration.