The DIAC has recently announced significant changes to the GSM scheme to be implemented on 1 July 2012. (For more information about these changes, please see our previous FAQ item.)
While the new visas (subclasses 189, 190 and 489) will be introduced from 1 July 2012, there will be a period of overlap where people in Australia can continue to apply for the existing points-tested skilled migration visas.
This means that the 885, 886 and 487 visas will stay open for onshore application lodgments for six months until 1 January 2013.
People already in Australia who want to apply for a skilled migration visa during this period, including those eligible for transitional arrangements, can apply for a 885, 886 or 487 visa (without going through the SkillSelect EOI process) and/or submit an EOI for one of the new visas in this period if they wish.