The MIA has received the following advice from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) General Skilled Migration (GSM) Program Director David Stewart:
DIAC [is] aware that there is a degree of confusion regarding the situation of GSM visa applicants whose skills were assessed by ACS as Computing Professionals NEC pre 1 July 2010. DIAC are discussing this issue with ACS and hope to resolve this matter in the not too distant future. DIAC's current advice is:
* The following policy settings remain unchanged:
Applicants cannot change their nominated occupation; Computing Professional (NEC) in ASCO does not currently map to an ANZSCO occupation on Schedule 3.
* Applicants can always submit new information to DIAC and if regulations allow it must be considered.
* DIAC would not advise clients to get reassessed by ACS unless it is determined that Computing Prof NEC maps to occupations on Schedule 3.
* If such a change were made DIAC would process applications generally in order of original date of lodgement and not date of "reassessment".
* Any such change will be advised via www.immi.gov.au and GSM auto reply processing information mailboxes, Adelaide and Brisbane.