Australia Immigration Minister Chris Evans has announce cutbacks to Australia's skilled migration program in an effort to preserve jobs in the current economic downturn.

The critical skills list which specifies which jobs are open to migrants has had building and manufacturing trades removed in the face increasing unemployment in the building and construction sector.

OE Visas will contact any clients affected by these changes. If you have any queries please contact your OE Visas consultant, email enquiries@my-oe.com or call our Edinburgh office on +44 131 625 6900

To clarify: the Critical Skills List (CSL) is a list of occupations which are given priority processing; The CSL is NOT the same as the Skilled Occupation List for General Skilled Migration and as such, removal of an occupation from the CSL does NOT impact on an applicant's eligibility to emigrate; it only affects the processing time of the application.

In short, while it remains the case that revision of the CSL will serve to lengthen processing times for those skills affected - as they would no longer be receiving priority processing - it does not mean that the affected trades are no longer wanted; to imply such is both inaccurate and irresponsible.

Individuals should also be aware that it is possible to avoid the potential delays associated with non-CSL visa grants by applying for a State or employer sponsored visa instead, as these visas will continue to receive priority attention.