Immigration is imperative for the prosperity of a country. However, certain security measures are implemented to ensure the safety of the nation. To avoid unwanted and suspicious immigrants to cross the borders Australian Immigration Ministry has laid down some policies. Every year the Ministry for Immigration and Citizenship of Australia releases a budget that announces any sort of alteration in these policies, in order to avail probationary citizenship.
The budget was recently released by Senator Chris Evans, which exhibited alterations to the present Immigration policy. The amendments are:
1.)    Overall 20% reduction in Skilled Migration Numbers from 115,000 to 108,100. The year 2008 saw a similar change when the number shifted to115, 000 from 133,500. This is done to increases the no. of Australian-resident jobs.
2.)    IELTS (English Language Test) score is raised from 5 to 6, for the non-sponsored tradesmen. The changes for the offshore applicants will take action from July 1st 2009 while for the onshore applicants the date is January 1st 2010.
3.)    Government sponsored and Employer Visas will no more be restricted yet run through fast-track processing system, similar to the Visas that are present on CSI (Critical Skills List). This way the government endeavors to create flawless immigration system with a quick solution to the critical skills deficiency wherever and whenever required.
4.)    The onshore applicants of skilled trade will be required to pass a job-ready examination which will be implemented by 1st January 2010.
5.)    This test is presently being created by Department of Employment, Education, Workplace Relations further discussing with Department of Immigration and Citizenship as well as Industry stakeholders.
The applicants under GSM (General Skilled Migration) pathway are required to contact a registered agent for the eligibility issues. With an increase in reductions and restrictions, it is all the more important for the applicants to submit their application correctly. Errors of any sort can delay the application approval for months or may be years. In comparison to the CSL applicants, it is tough for the GSM applicants may face delay in processing time although, options like sponsorship are worth investigating.

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