As many of us may be aware the latest changes in the Australian immigration policy center around the General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program of Australian immigration. This program holds the key to providing employment opportunities to several skilled employees all over the world in certain occupations that are of great demand in the country. The most important change that has been effected in February 2010 is the withdrawal of the MODL (migration occupations in Demand for Australia). The points systems under the MODL is no longer applicable for those who are applying for an Australian visa on after 8^th February 2010.

It is important to note that the MODL is different from the SOL (Skilled Occupations List). The SOL lists out the skilled occupations that may be in demand in the country. IF your occupation is listed you may apply for an Australian Visa. However the MODL is the migration on demand list. This lists out the occupations that are currently being sought after in Australia. This list is periodically review by the DIAC and makes amendments according to the changing market demands.

As per the latest modification a new list of migration occupations on demand has been formulated that provides information about the latest occupations that are in demand in Australia. It has been decided that the Skilled Occupations List will be replaced by the middle of 2010. The new SOL will be formulated by an independent body called “Skills Australia”. The new inclusions to the MODL have been made in accordance with the new and growing needs of the Australian employee market. This change however will not be applicable to those who possess a Skilled-Graduate visa or who have a GSM visa application in pending.

The changes effected in the Australian immigration policy aim at being more responsive to the country’s growing market needs. The government plans at focusing on occupations like health care, mining, engineering and some other skilled occupations that may be in demand in the country.

Since the new Skilled Occupations List for those applying for an Australian Visa is aimed to be all-inclusive the Critical Skills List that is currently in vogue is going to be revoked. As we all know the CSL provides a list of occupations that are in great demand in Australia. This list is applicable only to those who want an Australian visa under the Skilled Migration Program and who have not received any kind of sponsorship from an Australian employer.

All the changes effected in the policy of Australian immigration aim at providing better occupational options to those applying for an Australian visa and thereby contributing to the healthy development of the Australian economy.

The General Skills Program, as we all know, is the main key for skilled workers from all around the world to fulfill their dream of Australian immigration. According to the basic guidelines of the GSM Program, candidates who possess specialized training in any of the occupations that feature in the Skilled Occupations List can apply for an Australian Visa. Their applications will be scrutinized and selection will be done on the basis of their age, qualification, work experience, proficiency of English language and skill competency levels. They must score a minimum pass mark in the Points based evaluation system (judged on the basic criteria mentioned earlier) to qualify for an Australian visa. In case the candidate is observed to possess some additional qualification pertaining to occupational skills, family connections in Australia, educational experience in Australia, spouse qualifications then the possibility of he/she scoring some additional points is high. The GSM Program has been highly successful in tapping the skilled labor talent from all over the world that is capable of contributing to the development of the Australian economy. This Program has been instrumental in changing the complexion of Australian immigration and has brought about some significant changes in the country’s economy.

On February 8, 2010 the policy of Australian immigration witnessed an important change when the results of the review of the Migration occupations in Demand List were announced by the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. An important inference made by this review was the need to replace the current MODL by a new and more target-oriented occupations list that is better equipped to cater to the constantly changing labor requirements of the Australian market. The Australian immigration policy has undergone some important alterations following this review.

An important change made in the Skilled Migration Program with regard to Australian immigration was the creation of a Critical Skills List (CSL) that laid emphasis on providing work opportunities to Information Technology Professionals, engineering and medical experts. In March 2009 the number of visas granted under the GSM Program were brought down to 115,000 per year and several occupations were eliminated from the CSL. This change was effected keeping in mind the growing needs of the Australian economy. In May 2009 the visas under the GSM Program came down to 108,000.

Even the application form for an Australian visa under the GSM Program has gone through certain modifications and includes new question pertaining to health and character.

The government of Australia has brought about certain amendments to its Immigration Policy in an attempt to being down the immigration to Australia of poorly-skilled laborers. The changes have been brought about to improve the entire process of selecting the best candidates for Australian immigration that would best suit the market requirements in the country.