SYDNEY, July 17: The Australian government has changed its policy to recruit computer professionals from abroad after it was revealed that there are around 8,000 unemployed Australians in the IT industry.

The Immigration Minister, Philip Ruddock, said that the federal government is suspending priority visa processing for IT workers. The policy was introduced 18 months ago in response to the IT boom.

However, he said that the policy “could be reactivated if there was a need in the future.”

A study that was critical of the government’s immigration policies for IT professionals was released last week, and says that there are 8000 unemployed Australian IT professionals.

The author of the study, Bob Kinnaird, was quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald as saying that the government’s about turn was “a step in the right direction.”

The government hasn’t changed the temporary visa programme for IT professionals. Under the programme employers will not have to show proof of not finding a suitable Australian before employing a temporary overseas computer professional.

Ruddock said the suspension of priority visa processing does not apply to temporary visa programme, but it is under review by the government.