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Processing of Priority Group 5 General Skilled Migration Applications

Most General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa applications are subject to a Ministerial Direction which determines the priority in which they are considered. An application is allocated to a case officer for processing based on its priority according to the Direction.
Each week GSM allocates 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 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.

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 will commence on 10 September 2012 for subclasses 175, 176, 475 and 496.

Due to the number of places available for Family Sponsored Skilled Migration applicants this program year (currently 4200), GSM will limit the allocation of applications in this visa category.

This also includes Priority Group 5 applications where a state or territory approved nomination has either not been provided or has not been accepted by the department, as such applications are classified within the Family Sponsored Skilled Migration group until a nomination is received from a state or territory government agency and approved by the department.

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.

Australia to Fast-Track Citizenship for Families of Defence Recruits

Friday, September 14, 2012

Australia is attracting more overseas military services personnel to highly specialised roles by making it easier for their families to get citizenship, according to a joint media release by Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP and Minister for Defence Science and Personnel Warren Snowdon MP on September 11, 2012.



The two Ministers stated in the release that family members of overseas lateral recruits to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) were eligible for conferral of Australian citizenship at the same time as the lateral recruit. The amendments to the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 that allow applicants to be fast tracked for citizenship will be applied to family members of current and future lateral recruits.


To be eligible, the overseas lateral recruit must be granted a certain Australian visa after 1 July 2007 and undertake 90 days service in either the permanent or reserve forces of the Army, Navy or Air Force.

The amendments also clarify that defence service refers only to appointed and enlisted personnel in the Australian Defence Force.

"These amendments will assist Australia to attract personnel to highly specialised roles within the ADF as they will provide tangible benefits to lateral recruits' migrating families," said Mr Snowdon.

The amendments will be effective from January 1, 2013.

If you are interested in Australian visas, contact Migration Expert for information and advice on which visa is best suited to you. You can also try our visa eligibility assessment to see if you are eligible to apply for a visa to Australia.



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