The changes to the use of the contingency reserve will mean that a great proportion of permanent entrants will be people who hold ICT qualifications. Australia has a universal visa program with the same requirements applying to all visa applicants, regardless of their country or origin. The time taken to process visa applications largely depends on the standards of applications received and the need, in some instances, to undertake additional investigations. Incomplete applications also require additional resources and time to seek and receive the outstanding information. In many circumstances, the time taken to process applications is due to delays the applicant has obtaining the necessary documents from their local authorities.
Time taken to undertake health processing can sometimes have an impact.
Recent graduates in Australia may be sponsored under the Employer Nomination Scheme or the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme categories. Under new policy changes, students that gain ICT qualifications from Australian institutions will be allowed to remain onshore while applying for permanent residence under the Independent Skilled category. This will help ensure that Australia doesn't lose educated people to other countries. ICT workers who are included on the MODL are already given streamlined processing. A new Ministerial Direction will mean that DIMA officers in Australia and overseas will give processing priority to all applications from people with ICT qualifications seeking to work in the industry.