澳洲移民局3.16又出了一系列新政策，主要是08-09移民配额减少到115000人，大部分技工职业从CSL列表中取消了。新政从3.16日开始实行，即使分了签证官，也要按照新政实行。
移民局太恐怖了，简直无语了！！！！！！！！！

2008-09 Migration Program Changes – March 2009 - Frequently Asked Questions

Critical Skills List

   Australian Government
                                          Department of Immigration and Citizenship
         2008-09 Migration Program Changes – March 2009
                                 Frequently Asked Questions
On this page:
Capping the Skilled Migration Program
New Critical Skills List – 16 March 2009
Priority processing
Employer sponsorship
State nomination
Students
Subclass 457 – Business (Long Stay) visa

Capping the Skilled Migration Program
Q1 What changes have been announced for the Skilled Migration program?</STRONG>
The changes announced to the skilled migration program by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship are:
     • capping the 2008-09 General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program
     • removal of construction and manufacturing trades from the CSL.

Q2 What does capping the program mean?</STRONG>
Capping means that a set number of visa grants is determined by the Minister for a particular visa category or categories.
Once that number is reached no further visa grants can occur until the next program year.

Q3 Why have these changes been introduced?</STRONG>
Since the 1 January 2009 changes, the global economic situation has continued to deteriorate, and this has significantly
impacted Australia’s economy, including an increase in unemployment. The migration program is one of the tools the
Government uses to assist industry with skills and labour shortages, and, as such, is continually reviewed and assessed
for its relevance and outcomes in light of the economic and social needs of Australia. The program is modified as these
needs change.

Q4 What was the last change announced by the Government?</STRONG>
On 1 January 2009, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship introduced changes to the skilled migration program
including:
     • a new section 499 ministerial direction on priority processing
     • the introduction of a critical skills list (CSL)
     • greater scope for state and territory governments to meet critical skills shortages in their jurisdiction

Q5 Why is the Government making it harder for skilled migrants to move to Australia?</STRONG>
These changes will enable a balance between providing the skills Australian employers need and ensuring the maximum
opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents in a tightening employment market.
The government acknowledges the substantial human and financial capital contribution that migrants bring to Australia.
The extent to which migrants add to our economy is closely linked to their skills and abilities, and we will need a strong
supply of skilled workers when the economic cycle turns and demand for labour picks up again.
These measures will preserve the selection of high-skilled migrants but reduce the emphasis on migrants and temporary
entrants who compete with Australians in the job market.
Although it may impact many applicants who will now have to wait longer for their visas to be processed, the government
must also take into account the effect on Australian citizens and permanent residents of large numbers of migrants
entering Australia when unemployment is predicted to increase. Also, as skilled migrants do not have access to most
government assistance for the first two years they are in Australia, it would be unreasonable to grant visa applicants entry
to Australia when they would face such difficult labour market conditions. This is why skilled visas will be limited to those
occupations which are currently in critical shortage.

Q6 For how long will the skilled migration program be capped?</STRONG>
The program will be capped until the end of the current program year, 30 June 2009. The new program year commences
on 1 July 2009. The government has set a limit for the skill stream of 115 000 for 2008-09.

Q7 What visas are capped?</STRONG>
The only visas to be capped at this time are the business skills visa classes:
     •    Class EA Business Talent (Migrant)
     •    Class UR Provisio  阅读全文>>