5月7日澳大利亚移民部官网公布最新修正方案，从5月8日起，澳洲移民具停止接受新的独立技术移民（GSM）申请，具体恢复日期需要移民部长在适当时候宣布。本次修改受影响的类别包括：175（ 境外独立技术移民）,176（澳洲担保的境外技术移民）和475（澳洲担保的境外临局签证）。

具体内容如下:

Amendments to prevent primary applications for certain General Skilled Migration (GSM) visa subclasses

Commencement: 8 May 2010

Client summary
From 8 May 2010, the Migration Regulations 1994 (the Regulations) are amended to prevent applicants seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for a Subclass 175 (Skilled – Independent), Subclass 176 (Skilled – Sponsored) or Subclass 475 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored) visa from being able to make a valid visa application during the period commencing on 8 May 2010 and ending on a date specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing.

Affected legislation
The following provisions of the Regulations are amended:

Schedule 1, new paragraph 1135(3)(e) is added
Schedule 1, new paragraph 1228(3)(e) is added
Schedule 2, the notes immediately following the headings of Divisions 175.2, 175.3, 176.2, 176.3, 475.2 and 475.3 are amended.

Additional information
The purpose of the amendments are to prevent certain applications for GSM visas being made on or after 8 May 2010 until after a specified date as a result of anticipated changes to the Skilled Occupation List (SOL). The changes to the SOL are designed to better target Australia's skilled migration program.

Transitional provisions
The amendments to Schedule 1 apply in relation to a purported application made by a person seeking to satisfy the primary criteria for the grant of a Subclass 175 (Skilled – Independent), Subclass 176 (Skilled – Sponsored) or Subclass 475 (Skilled – Regional Sponsored) visa during the period commencing on 8 May 2010 and ending on a date specified by the Minister in an instrument in writing.

Forms
Nil.

Instructions
PAM3 will be amended to reflect these changes.