Processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications
Each year the department takes into account visa planning levels set by the government for the program year which forms the Migration Program. The Migration Program determines the maximum number of visas that can be granted in each visa category. Throughout the program year planning levels may change as a result of changes in demand and other factors.
Most Skilled Migration visa applications are subject to a Ministerial Direction determining the priority in which applications are allocated to a case officer for processing. This ensures that where there is high demand for places under the Migration Program, processing priority is given to applicants who have the most compelling claims in terms of the government's policy priorities.
Each week the department's processing centres allocate applications in line with the Direction until there are sufficient applications allocated in each of the visa categories to meet the planning levels set by government for the 2012-13 Migration Program.
See: Migration Program Statistics
The Migration Program planning levels take precedence over the Direction of the number of applications remaining to be processed.
The overall number of Priority Group 5 applications processed in the 2012-13 program year will ultimately depend on the number of higher priority applications received, and other factors, including the size of the Migration Program and its composition, and any variation of the Processing Direction.
Allocation of Priority Group 5 applications
The allocation of Priority Group 5 applications is expected to continue in general date of lodgement order throughout the 2012-13 Migration Program.
Priority Group 5 applications are allocated when all available applications in higher priority groups are allocated, or in line with planning level requirements for the each of the visa categories. This may mean that applications in certain visa categories are allocated ahead of others, in date of lodgement, in order to meet the planning level. This may occur within or between priority groups as the planning level requires.
Subclasses 487, 885 and 886
Allocation of Priority Group 5 applications commenced in November 2011 for subclasses 487, 885 and 886.
Subclasses 175, 176, 475 and 496
Allocation of Priority Group 5 applications commenced in September 2012 for subclasses 175, 176, 475 and 496.
With a limited number of visa places available in the Skilled Regional Sponsored (formerly known as Skilled Australian Sponsored (Family sponsored)) GSM category, visa places are being used for decisions on Skilled Regional Sponsored subclass 489 applications which are family sponsored and other SRS GSM applications currently in the final stages of processing. This includes subsequent entrant subclass 489 applications which are exempt from the priority processing arrangements.
Allocation of other SRS GSM visa applications will take place in accordance with the Migration Program planning level and the priority arrangements.
See: Allocation and Processing of Skilled Australian Sponsored GSM Visa Applications
Many Priority Group 5 applicants still face a considerable wait until their application is allocated to a case officer for processing and may want to consider other options available.
Applicants can follow the progress of allocating GSM visa applications through the website.
See: Allocation Dates for General Skilled Migration Applications