Current Australian Immigration processing lead time as of August 2008

OK Guys, it’s August already so please find below details of the Australian Immigration processing lead time for as of August 2008.

To discuss this time line then check out this thread in our forum. Also remember to check out our Australian Visa Time line Forum which has been set up specifically so that folks sharing a similar timeline can hang out and keep each other motivated during times of stress

NEWSFLASH

The Brisbane Skilled Processing Centre (BSPC) commenced operations on 1July 2008. BSCP are processing electronically lodged applications for Classes VB and VC lodged on or after 1 July 2008.

Any paper documents received in Adelaide for these applications will be couriered to Brisbane for processing. Applicants are encouraged to provide their documents electronically either by attaching them to the application or by email.

Supporting documentation and enquiries regarding these applications should be directed to the relevant Brisbane contact point. Read the story »

Popularity: 4% [?]

Minimum Salary Levels under Subclass 457 program increased

News in from the guys at the Department of Immigration (immi) that from the 1st August minimum Salary Levels under Subclass 457 program are to increase.

The 457 Visa  is the most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis (3 months to 4 years). There are also special arrangements for employers in regional areas across Australia.

On 1 August 2008 a new Legislative Instrument (Gazette Notice) was issued, increasing the Minimum Salary Level (MSL) by 3.8 per cent.

This instrument applies not only to new sponsored worker visa applicants, but to all sponsored workers.

This means that the formula for calculating the MSL will apply to every sponsored worker who is paid in accordance with an MSL.

See the attached PDF on the immi website for more details:

Popularity: 2% [?]

300,000 more chances to move to Australia

The Australian budget has been and gone and I didn’t pay that much attention to it to be honest.

Having said all that though a post made in our forums suddenly made me realise that the Australian Budget had pretty large implications for all wannabe Aussies.

The Labor party budget for 2008-09 includes an increase of almost 300,000 visas to Australia in a bid to address labour shortages in Australia.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan revealed a healthy increase of almost 300,000 more permanent and temporary visas to Australia as a part of the Labor Party Budget for the 2008-09. This is the biggest annual increase in visas in the history of Australia’s migration program

The new budget accommodates for an extra 31,000 skilled migrant visas, and over 150,000 other permanent migrant visas such as family visas & spouse visas. Read the story »

Popularity: 8% [?]

Current Australian Immigration processing lead time as of June 2008

Guys, latest Australian Visa Processing time line for June 2008.

Any comments or questions please post them in this thread on our forums.

RECEIPTING AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF APPLICATIONS

The ASPC is currently receipting new applications within service standards.

Once an application has been receipted it undergoes validity checking and an acknowledgement letter with client information and a receipt will be sent.

If an application is determined to be invalid documents will be returned and a refund of the visa application charge arranged.

As of June 2008 the ASPC Admin Section is processing applications as follows:

Onshore Applications: receipting and acknowledging applications received on 10 June 2008.

Offshore Applications: receipting and acknowledging applications received on 10 June 2008.

Once an application has been acknowledged it will be allocated to a case officer for further assessment as soon as possible, however, the ASPC receives a large number of applications and you will not be contacted immediately.

PROCESSING AND ALLOCATION INFORMATION - For the week of 10 June 2008

Applications lodged on or before the dates shown below have been allocated to case officers for further processing.

Read the story »

Popularity: 12% [?]