The Hon. Chris Bowen, Minister for Immigration and Citizenship talks about pending changes to Australia's Skilled Migration Program at a recent ILAA CPD Law Conference.

These looming changes to be introduced on July 1, 2012 include a new online service connecting employers with potential skilled migrants while streamlining the route to permanent residency for workers already employed on temporary skilled 457 visas.

DIAC press release on seminars outlining SkillSelect:

DIAC officers will visit Launceston, Burnie, St Helens and Hobart to conduct a seminar on these pending changes.  They will also be available for brief individual appointments with employers and employees to answer their questions about skilled migration.

“Our officers will be available to provide a range of information on temporary or permanent employer-sponsored visa options and the concessions available for regional applicants,” the spokesman said.

The department’s regional visits program enables employers in communities outside capital cities to attend information sessions and to sit and talk directly with an immigration officer about specific issues they may face.

The department has arranged seminars on skilled migration visa options on the following dates.

Launceston
The Tramsheds, 4 Invermay Rd Inveresk – May 14, 11.30am-1pm

Burnie
Room D201, UTAS Cradle Coast Campus, 16-20 Mooreville Rd Burnie – May 15, 9-10.30am

St Helens
Tidal Waters Resort, 1 Quail St, St Helens – May 16, 10-11.30am

Hobart
Department of Immigration and Citizenship, Conference Room, Level 14/188 Collins St, Hobart – May 17, 10-11.30am

People wanting to attend one of the seminars should email outreach officer Stella Cook at outreach.tas@immi.gov.au , indicating preferences.

Those not attending but seeking more information about SkillSelect and the skilled migration program should email outreach.tas@immi.gov.au