下記今日の新聞（SMH）からの抜粋です。 改定の内容は月曜まで詳細不明ですが、申請の成否がMODLにかかっている申請者には内容が気になるところです。

THE federal government is set to overhaul the skilled migration program, and industry bodies fear it will throw the flagging international education sector into further disarray.

On Monday the Immigration Minister, Chris Evans, is expected to announce changes including amendments to the migration occupations-in-demand list, which sets out areas where skilled workers are needed and awards points to migrants who apply to work in these areas.

The changes purportedly aim at meeting long-term skill needs and are being heralded as ”significant policy reforms” by the secretary of the Immigration Department, Andrew Metcalfe.

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The government is also expected to reconsider changes made on January 1 to the temporary ”457” visa, which businesses have criticised for impeding the ability of employers to recruit workers from overseas.

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The changes are expected to break the link between permanent residency and trades, such as hairdressing and cookery, which are on the demand list at present and are attractive to overseas students who wish to stay.

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The implications for the $17 billion education sector are significant. The changes could dash the permanent residency hopes of students enrolled in a sector already battling college foreclosures and bad publicity after attacks on Indian students.

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The changes are expected to take effect from midnight the day of the announcement, with industry warned of a surge in applications from people wishing to take advantage of the current system before it changes.

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(Source: SMH 6/2/2010 http://www.smh.com.au/national/skilled-migration-program-set-to-change-20100206-niyc.html)

（2010年2月6日）