SBS World News Radio: In April, the government shocked businesses and migrants with an overhaul of 457 temporary worker visas.
One unintended consequence could be that some exceptional international talent will be lost to Australia.
It's a long way from the fashion capital, Paris, but Charlotte Ravet now calls Australia home.
She was awarded a "distinguished talent visa" for her eight years of experience as an elite make-up artist for brands like Prada and Yves St Laurent.
"I was working well, everything was fine, I was working a lot in TV for some fashion brands. It was all good, but I just decided to give me a new challenge."
It took 10 months to apply - and if it had taken longer, Ms Ravet may have taken her talents elsewhere.
"If it was taking months, lots of money, if it was really, really hard, I think I would not have had the energy for that. I would have (felt) it's just a sign and maybe it was not for me."
The government could be about to do just that through changes to its 457 visa program.
There are more than 80,000 people in Australia on 457 temporary skilled visas in more than 800 occupations.
More than one quarter of these occupations are being cut by the government.
The government is encouraging businesses to use the distinguished talent visa instead, but only 200 of these visas are granted each year.
An official from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection revealed in a Senate hearing in May that no modelling had been done about the effect of the 457 changes on other visa classes.
Alex Kaufman, a lawyer at employment advisory firm FCB Group, says the scheme is already at capacity.
He's predicting delays in the coming year.
"If industry is forced to be in a corner with the distinguished talent and needs to divert applicants through that program, then we'll most certainly see a bottleneck in the distinguished talent visa program in the coming program years."
The government will announce adjustments to the eligible occupation lists for the new 457 visa next month.
By then, it will be clear which workers will be forced to apply for the distinguished talent visa program and the extent of the predicted delays.
Now teaching her skills to young Australian make-up artists, Ms Ravet is grateful she's staying in Australia but says her decision may have been different if faced with an even longer wait.
"I'm not sure I'm the type of person who will be able to do that, personally. For me, I will maybe just come back to Europe, or try another country, take it as an experience."
It's the kind of experience that may be costly to the economy and to the country.
