It appears that many of the old subclass 886 applications have started re-processing. This is very welcome news for those applicants that have had their permanent residency applications on hold by the Immigration Department for more than five years. It has been grossly unfair for the Department to keep these unfortunate applicants in limbo for so long.

The recent change in department processing policy may go some way to repairing the damaged reputation of Australia’s skilled migration program. And thereby give Australia a better chance of attracting the best and brightest of skilled migrants.

Let us hope that re-processing is swift, and will also include the subclass 176 and family 475 applicants.