The minister for immigration in Australia yesterday announced the new skilled occupation list (SOL), this is a direct response to what he felt to be a previous emphasis on education rather than skills that could be utilised by employers.

The list previously consisted of over 400 occupations, it has now been cut to just 180. The new skills list is coupled with Australian immigration’s decision to freeze the acceptance of Australian visa applications before the date the new list is put in place, July 10th 2010.

After the announcement yesterday, some sources were claiming that the news would spark unrest among students affected by the changes. Acccording to the Indian Express, students that have taken out considerable loans in order to study on the courses – now crossed off the list as a route to permanent residency in Australia, may take to the streets in protest.

If this transpires to be accurate, one has to wonder whether Australia immigration policy makers had a point in claiming that these low-level courses had become nothing more than a route for immigration to Australia.