SO some transparency will shine through from DIAC regarding some of the data concerning the EOI system. However as mentioned in my last there seems to be more that we will not know rather than know.

There is also no relief in sight for those visa applicants in the PG5, predominantly the 886 family sponsored visa class. Now forgive me for saying it, all those in PG4 and above, but shouldn't those who are permanent residents or citizens of Australia have some benefit from the status. Why are they actually treated worse off than anybody when it comes to the priority processing arrangements?

In the past these applications were given on of the highest levels of priority but now, for some time, they have the worst. Can anyone in DIAC explain the reasoning for this?

DIAC's current policy to withdraw the points allocated if you have an Australian resident sponsor and to put them last on the list altogether seems to me that they have been discriminated against rather that rewarded for their loyalty to Australia. It would seem on face value that this government is shunning a scheme which brings together families through the skilled migration system.

Now I am certainly not a fan of the old Family Reunion program that flooded migrants to our shores who had few skills and virtually no English, but the Skilled 886 was a bonus for this country where family settled here could bring their immediate family to study gain or enhance their skill level and then apply for residency. The immediate family support these applicants have helps them adapt to Australia quickly and often gain employment smartly due to the professional contacts of their relatives.

It created a win win scenario which for an unexplained reason has not only been dumped, those who used it have been unfairly penalized.

For all those relatives who are citizens out there, time to visit your local Federal MP and tell them in no uncertain terms how unhappy you are about this system.

   

 

 

Managing Director  Karl Konrad