We are now just over 5 months away from probably the most significant change to General Skilled Migration (GSM) since the introduction of the Migration Regulations in 1994.  From 1 July 2012 you will no longer be able to apply for migration under GSM – you have to be invited by the government to apply.  This will require that you lodge an expression of interest and then wait for up to 2 years in a pool of potential migrants  - if you don’t get an invitation after 2 years, your expression of interest will lapse.

If you are thinking about lodging an application under the current legislation, you should get moving as soon as possible. Skills assessments are taking several months and then if you also need state sponsorship, time will be tight.  This means that after the middle of February, we will be unlikely to be able to start the whole process with any certainty of lodging before the changes.  So don’t delay and contact us now.

Blog written by Helen Duncan, Registered Migration Agent (MARN) 0003187 and Partner at Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers.

For advice or assistance with lodging your application for a skilled visa in Australia contact Australian Migration & Visa Lawyers today or complete our free online visa assessment here.