Migration Reforms To Deliver Australia's Skills Needs

Migration Reforms to Deliver Australia's Skills Needs

The Rudd Government is reforming the permanent skilled migration program to ensure it is more responsive to the needs of industry and employers and better addresses the nation's future skill needs.

The reforms will deliver a demand rather than a supply driven skilled migration program that meets the needs of the economy in sectors and regions where there are shortages of highly skilled workers, such as healthcare, engineering and mining. The major reforms to the skilled migration program are:

20 000 would-be migrants currently living overseas will have their applications cancelled and receive a refund.

The list of occupations in demand will be tightened so only highly skilled migrants will be eligible.

The points test used to assess migrants will be reviewed to ensure it selects the best and brightest.
Certain occupations may be capped to ensure skill needs are met across the board.

Development of state and territory-specific migration plans.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said the new arrangements will give first priority to skilled migrants who have a job to go to with an Australian employer. For those who don't have an Australian employer willing to sponsor them, the bar is being raised.

"There are plenty of occupations where there is an adequate supply of young Australians coming through our schools, TAFE colleges and universities to take up new job opportunities. They must be given the opportunity to fill these vacancies first," Senator Evans said.

"But there are some occupations where there will be high demand for skills. Hospitals can't go without nurses, country towns can't do without a local GP and the resources sector increasingly needs skills.

"These latest changes will continue reforms already implemented by the government and result in a more demand-driven skilled migration program that attracts highly skilled migrants to Australia to work in areas of critical need."

The changes will in no way impact on international students coming to Australia to gain a legitimate qualification and then return home.


Media Contact: Simon Dowding (02) 6277 7860 or 0411 138 541

SOURCE: Senator Chris Evans, Leader of the Government in the Senate,
Minister for Immigration and Citizenship