Firstly, I can make reference to an insightful blog by a representative of DIAC.   Kruno Kukoc, First Assistant Secretary Migration and Visa Policy Division, Department of Immigration and Citizenship.  The below blog summarises some of DIAC’s policy initiatives for 2012.

http://migrationblog.immi.gov.au/2013/01/24/a-year-in-review-2012/

It is a good summary of some of the changes and the intentions underlying the changes.

Secondly, I can add my own observations on the negative effects of changing so many major visa categories at the same time, from the 1 July 2012.  These included a surge in visa applications prior to visa changes, with the potential of significant processing  delays due to these numbers, and ongoing technical difficulties for the new SkillSelect  electronic visa system.