Capping is coming

Public submissions are currently being sought on the Migration Amendment (Visa Capping) Bill 2010.

This bill is part of the package of reforms that the Australian government is currently implementing to the General Skilled Migration program. One of the problems is that various things are coming to light in a piecemeal fashion and many things seem to have (apparently unforeseen) collateral consequences. This bill would give the Minister power to cap the number of visas granted either by visa class or by other characteristic (such as occupation). In other words if the Minister decided enough visas had been granted to accountants (for example) in a given year, then no further applications from accountants would be allowed.

The draft bill is available and it has already had its first and second reading in parliament.

The bill's homepage (includes explanatory memorandum and speeches) is available by clicking here.

Watch this space as more changes come to light....makes me curious what's going to happen to the points test?!

Creative commons attribution for the photograph:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/thisisbossi/4083776490/