The latest review of the DIMIA Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL) will almost certainly see a further reduction in the number of IT skills that overseas applicants can use to obtain work in Australia, with some suggesting IT will be removed in favour of a case-by-case process.
DIMIA only lists people with Internet, networking/LAN/WAN Java Security (J2EE), SAP Peoplesoft and CISSP qualifications as being in demand now.
DIMIA documents show Sybase SQL server, C++, firewall/Internet security, satellite design and e-commerce security have all been dropped from MODL over the last 18 months.
A spokesman for Immigration Minister Phillip Ruddock would neither confirm nor deny that any more IT skills would be dropped from MODL, saying only that any decision would be "based on advice - when we look at it we will make a decision".
"We've seen a drop-off [of temporary IT visa applications] that's manifested over the last six to nine months, possibly a year. The temporary side is very demand-driven," he said.
"On the permanent side, a lot of people self-select, possibly based on how they perceive their chances of obtaining employment."
The spokesman said a decision was expected within a month.