To:

The Honorable Immigration Minister

Andrew Giles

Dear Minister, 

We, the undersigned, are writing to bring to your attention the pressing issue of significant delays in the processing of skilled visas for non-priority occupations. Specifically subclass 189 and 190 . We are stuck in this processing delay dilemma, unable to decide on life , start a family or make financial commitments.

Even though we bear the same costs (AUD 5000 for a single applicant) and hurdles of the current point based skilled Migration system as the priority occupation applicants, we have been left out from the visa application processing framework. 

Case officers are also requesting for new medical tests and Police checks as these expires due to the processing delays, costing us thousands of dollars extra out of pocket. 

Priority occupation invitees from May 2023 are getting their visa applications processed , whereas non priority occupation invitees from October and December 2022 are waiting for months to date for an outcome on their visa application. 

We understand the necessity of prioritizing certain occupations to cater to the immediate needs of the nation. However, it's already been a year only priority occupation applicants are being considered mostly and the lengthy processing times for non-priority occupation visas are causing distress and uncertainty among countless applicants.

Our petition seeks the following actions to address this matter:

1. Streamlining Visa Processing: We urge the Department of Home Affairs to take measures to expedite the processing of non-priority occupation visas, ensuring a more efficient and timely outcome for applicants. Candidates who received a s56 request are waiting for months even after providing the requested documents.

2. Enhancing Capacity: We request the department to allocate additional resources and manpower to handle the increasing demand for non-priority occupation visas, thereby reducing waiting times.

3. Fairness and Equal Treatment: We advocate for a fair and consistent approach to visa processing, regardless of the occupation category, to provide equal opportunities to all applicants.

4. Transparent Guidelines: We seek clear and accessible guidelines on visa processing sequence and criteria to help applicants better understand the process and manage their expectations.

By addressing these concerns, we believe that the Department of Home Affairs can strike a balance between prioritizing critical occupations and meeting the needs of applicants from non-priority occupations who also contribute significantly to Australia's growth and prosperity.

We hope that you will give this petition due consideration and take the necessary steps to expedite non-priority occupation visas, ensuring a more streamlined and inclusive immigration process for all.