Australia

• Skilled Migrant Selection Model

10 May 2011 - The following information relates to the government's decision to implement a new skilled migrant selection register based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation to apply. [more...]

• The role of immigration and migration through to 2050

28 June 2010 - The Treasury's 2010 Intergenerational Report shows that Australia's population is projected to increase to 35.9 million people by 2050. [more...]

• Migration options remain for chefs and cooks

18 May 2010 - Highly qualified chefs and cooks would continue to be welcome in Australia under a range of migration options, the Minister for Immigration [more...]

• New Skilled Occupation List to meet Australia’s economic needs

17 May 2010 - The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today announced a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) designed to [more...]

• Migration Program Still Uncertain (2010-2011 Federal Budget Response)

11 May 2010 - The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) welcomes the Government’s measured approach to the Migration Program within [more...]

• Skilled Migration Deferred

8 May 2010 - Skilled migrants will be stopped from coming to Australia until the federal government reveals a shortened list of jobs the country wants filled [more...]

• General skilled migration program points test review

17 February 2010 - The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has released a discussion paper to seek public comment on [more...]

• Skilled migration shake-up

6 February 2010 - The federal government is set to overhaul Australia's skilled migration program, but industry bodies fear it will throw the flagging international [more...]

• Australia facing new skills shortage - report

1 February 2010 - The country is again experiencing a national skills shortage, with builders, engineers and tradespeople in high demand, a report says. [more...]

Skilled Migrant Selection Model

10 May 2011 -

The following information relates to the government's decision to implement a new skilled migrant selection register based on an Expression of Interest (EOI) and invitation to apply. The proposal is in an early stage of development and consultation. Although the key features are settled, further changes are possible and the following must not be taken as a final description of how the new selection register will operate. In particular, no action of any kind should be taken on the basis that this will be the final register. The minister may recommend to the Governor-General in-Council amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994 to give effect to the final register.

The Australian Government has decided on a major reform in the way Australia selects skilled migrants, the Skilled Migrant Selection Register (SkillSelect). SkillSelect will build upon and draw together the suite of reforms to the skilled migration program over the past three years. In doing so it will deliver the skills Australia needs by matching the best and brightest migrants to the available places in the migration program.

SkillSelect will be an electronic system based upon a two-stage process. Prospective applicants first submit claims for skilled migration through an online EOI and subsequently may be invited to make a visa application. This is a significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state or territory sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.

Once invited, SkillSelect will ensure a match between the number of applicants and the number of available program places. This will result in streamlined processing times.

The fundamental principle underpinning SkillSelect is that the skilled migration program is determined by the economic needs of Australia. As such, it is necessary for the Australian government to manage who is able to apply for skilled migration, when they are able to apply and in what numbers, on the basis of this need. It is proposed that SkillSelect will allocate all places in the independent skilled migration program to the prospective migrants, those who score highest on the points test, in each eligible occupational group.

A key benefit of SkillSelect is the ability to address regional skill shortages. SkillSelect allows prospective migrants to nominate their willingness to live and work in regional Australia. This will be of particular benefit to employers experiencing regional skills shortages and state and territory governments attempting to settle migrants in regional Australia.

SkillSelect will connect state and territory governments and Australian employers with potential skilled workers through a central database of prospective skilled migrants. This will help state and territory governments maximise the benefit derived from their state and territory Migration Plans. From the perspective of employers, SkillSelect will assist in the resolution of skills shortages through quick and easy identification of prospective workers with the requisite skills and attributes, reducing advertising and recruitment costs to businesses.

SkillSelect is proposed to commence on 1 July 2012. As of this date, new applicants for independent, family or state/territory sponsored migration would need to submit an EOI and be issued with an invitation before lodging a visa application, unless eligible for transitional arrangements. The first round of invitations is expected to occur in January 2013.

Transitional arrangements currently apply to certain people who, on 8 February 2010, held or had applied for a Skilled – Graduate (subclass 485) visa. This group is able to apply for a permanent skilled visa under the previous system, until the end of 2012. There are no additional transitional arrangements in relation to SkillSelect.

The visa subclasses which will be affected by SkillSelect are:

• Skilled – Independent (Migrant) subclass 175
• Skilled – Sponsored (Migrant) subclass 176
• Skilled – Independent (Residence) subclass 885
• Skilled – Sponsored (Residence) subclass 886
• Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 475
• Skilled – Regional Sponsored (Provisional) subclass 487.

All prospective applicants for these visas will need to submit an EOI and receive an invitation before they can apply.

Prospective applicants interested in employer sponsorship would not be required to submit an EOI if they already have a sponsor. However, submitting an EOI allows employers to view their details and contact prospective applicants to discuss sponsorship opportunities. It would also allow prospective migrants who are sponsored on a temporary basis to be invited for either independent skilled migration or state/territory sponsored migration if eligible.

For those who have already lodged a visa application prior to the implementation of SkillSelect and are pending processing, the department would process this application in accordance with any priority processing direction in effect at that time. A prospective migrant who has already lodged a visa application may want to submit an EOI in order to be connected to an employer or state or territory government.

The following table outlines when an EOI would be required.

Source: Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) Website www.immi.gov.au

The role of immigration and migration through to 2050

28 June 2010 -

The Treasury's 2010 Intergenerational Report shows that Australia's population is projected to increase to 35.9 million people by 2050. This projection is significantly higher than the 28.5 million by 2047 as projected in the 2007 Intergenerational Report.

It is important to note however, that this is not Government policy nor is it a target the Government is trying to reach.

Immigration is a very important part of the population debate, but it is just one part—there are much wider considerations than immigration levels alone. The Prime Minister, Julia Gillard has acknowledged that skilled migration is important, but she has also said that she does not want to see areas of Australia with 25 per cent youth employment because there are no jobs. She noted that we need to stop, take a breath and develop policies for a sustainable Australia.

The Prime Minister has also announced that population Minister Tony Burke would have a change of title to Minister for Sustainable Population.

While it is generally accepted that a country's population is one of the drivers of its economic growth, today I would like to talk to you about the way that the department does its work to manage the entry of persons into Australia in keeping with Australia's population needs.

There is wide consensus that economic growth is driven by the three 'P's – population, participation and productivity.

I am pleased to say that the department's work contributes to Australia's needs for population, participation and productivity.

I am also proud to say that immigration has played a very significant role in Australia's national development—we have had a managed immigration program for last 65 years.

In 1945, Australia became the first country in the world to create a government agency wholly dedicated to immigration.

Since that time, seven million people have migrated to Australia—around 100 000 persons a year, on average.
The latest Census shows that around two in five Australians were either born overseas, or are the children of immigrants—and Australia is now a diverse country, with people from more than 200 countries now calling Australia home.

Australia's skilled migration program is among the best in the world, and its key features have inspired similar programs in countries such as the United Kingdom and other European countries.
Immigration has made Australia more connected with the rest of the world—it has enriched our community and has boosted our economic growth.

Immigrants add to the labour force. They lower the age profile of population and they add to productivity by quickly acquiring skilled jobs.

Our temporary and permanent skilled migration programs have performed a key role in helping Australia move beyond the recent Global Financial Crisis.

My department currently manages a large immigration program where around 170 000 people become permanent residents each year.

In managing this large size program we need to ensure our skilled immigration program is responsive to the country's current and emerging conditions while facilitating the growth of our collective economic and social wealth in the longer term.

And in Australia's case, we have an immigration program that is geared towards enhancing Australia's social and economic prosperity.

This is why the government has implemented significant reform measures to ensure that our programs are set within Australia's best long-term interests.

For example, the department implemented a package of reforms to ensure that immigration programs are increasingly targeted to attract the best and the brightest immigrants so as to ensure increased productivity.
Reforms to the temporary skilled – subclass 457 visa program, to the skilled migration program as well as reform measures on student visa integrity, have all helped to ensure that our programs settings are calibrated right.

We are moving from the 'Australia needs skills' to 'Skills Australia needs' approach.

This is not a subtle move – this is a move that will ensure our programs are responsive and forward looking.
I am pleased to say that our programs are tailored to reflect our increased focus on a demand-driven skilled migration program.

A program that is shaped by employers' needs rather than by the desire of prospective migrants to come to Australia.

It is important to note that demand driven programs such as the 457 visa respond to changes in business cycle. An example of this is the reduced number of 457 visa applications in line with recent economic downturn. It self-corrected and proved itself.

Our migration programs are not just delivering the right mix of immigrants, to meet Australia's genuine socio-economic needs in the immediate term. These are also focused towards Australia's long term needs.

As of Thursday 1 July we will have in place a new, forward looking and more targeted Skilled Occupations List.
This new list focuses on the genuine future needs of Australia—the high value professions and trades—and will help select General Skilled Migrants who have the best chance of securing a job that matches their skills upon arrival in Australia.

We are also moving away from the 'one-size-fits all' approach.

We are putting into place individual State and Territory Migration Plans which will help us to meet specific skill needs at a local level.

Not just that – to ensure the best and the brightest migrants are selected, we are also reviewing our migrant selection process.

We are reviewing the Points Test scheme to ensure that it is not heavily distorted towards a handful of occupations—a problem that has been addressed through our recent changes to Skilled Occupations List.
But there is still further work to be done. We need to ensure that our points test enables us to select highly innovative and well trained migrants to ensure we have a solid human capital base for Australia's longer term prosperity.

My department is also contemplating a new migrant selection model. Under this model, prospective immigrants will be invited to lodge an expression of interest to emigrate to Australia, and will be selected for migration as and when the need arises.

Our reform agenda ensures that migrants fill critical skill gaps in the labour force, and that in the longer term they provide us with a tool to help manage Australia's future economic wellbeing.

These are the benefits to Australia that need to be balanced against the matter of Australia's population—which is currently approaching a demographic cliff.

As noted in the 2010 Intergenerational Report, the number of Australians of working age—that is between fifteen and sixty-four—is projected to fall from sixty seven per cent to sixty per cent.
Also, the number of persons aged between 65 and 84 years are expected to more than double between now and 2050.

At the same time, the total fertility rate in Australia is projected to remain below the replacement level over the period to 2050 despite a recent boost.

With these forecasts in mind, Australia must be prepared to meet the inevitable fiscal challenges associated with ageing population, challenges such as rising health costs and a more complex demand for health services.
Bearing in mind such fiscal challenges, it is important to note that Australia's immigration programs are an important driver of economic growth, and as a consequence, will assist us to meet such challenges.
Not only that—immigration also addresses the problem of an ageing population because migrants tend to be younger, on average, than the resident population.

While acknowledging the benefits that immigration provides to the Australian economy in building sustainable long-term prosperity for its future, I am also mindful of the need to consider the long-term effects that immigration has on our population and our environment.

It is for the purpose of addressing this long-term effect that in 2009 the Government announced its intention to develop a long term migration planning framework.

The department has commissioned research from academia from renowned Australian universities to inform the development of the framework.

Professor Peter McDonald from the Australian National University has examined the impact of immigration levels on Australia's labour force in the period to 2050.

At the same time, a team of cross-disciplinary experts at Flinders University is examining the longer term interactions of immigration levels with Australia's natural and built assets over the period to 2050.
It is important to bear in mind that this framework will be a policy-guiding tool for Australia's future immigration levels to 2050.

It will not be a target-setting mechanism.

By developing the long-term migration planning framework as a guide, we will ensure that Australia's future immigration levels are guided by the genuine economic needs of the country—not by visa settings nor the desire of prospective migrants to obtain permanent residence in Australia.

In other words, Australia's immigration levels will not be beyond our country's ability to accommodate them.
Our planning framework will help us to plan for sustainable immigration outcomes over the medium and long-term, and to ensure sustainable and manageable development for Australia—both urban and regional.

The framework will also improve our ability to forecast future immigration levels and thus improve our planning and policies in relation to our environment and our infrastructure.

Further, it will guide the Government's policies and programs for promoting social harmony and social inclusion for our immigrants.

It will help us to monitor and to manage the 'immigration revolution' that has seen a significant shift from permanent to temporary migrants in Australia's recent immigration levels.

The number of temporary immigrants in Australia has grown rapidly in recent years since a 2001 decision to open up pathways for temporary residents—particularly students—to remain in Australia permanently.

Subsequent to that policy decision, Australia's population growth in recent years has been mostly driven by large numbers of temporary immigrants such as students remaining in Australia for longer periods.

In fact, the number of temporary residents coming to Australia now exceeds the number of permanent residents. In the 1980s, only ten per cent of net overseas migration comprised temporary entrants.
Today this number has risen to almost seventy per cent.

This has led to the historic high levels of Net Overseas Migration—just over 300 000 people per year, up until a short time ago.

Many people argue that the current net migration levels are unsustainable on a number of fronts, in particular, when considering our natural environment and our country's infrastructure.

It is important, however, to understand what this net migration figure is and what has contributed to its growth.

Net Overseas Migration counts all people entering and exiting Australia for 12 months in a given 16 month period.

It includes permanent and temporary immigrants coming to Australia, Australian citizens and residents leaving and the New Zealand citizens moving in and out of Australia.

It is also important to note that there is a 'lag effect' between visa grant to migrants, their arrival and the impact on NOM. Therefore this figure represents migration levels for 2008–09.

Recent historic high levels of net overseas migration have largely been driven by increased number of temporary entrants arriving in Australia in the past few years.

Also, the number of temporary skilled workers – subclass 457 visa holders in Australia increased significantly in recent years due to our sustained economic growth creating demand for skilled jobs.

Other factors contributing to this increase are a greater number of Australian citizens returning from overseas and larger number of New Zealand citizens coming to Australia.

It is no coincidence that the net effect of these inflows and outflows have resulted in high NOM levels amidst a subdued economic environment overseas during the recent economic downturn, and better than expected performance of Australia's economy.

Australia's net migration levels should be driven by permanent migration not temporary.

Thanks to recent reform measures, it is expected that the net overseas migration figure will return to a sustainable long-term average given that most of the temporary entrants – the major contributor to net migration, will eventually return to their home country instead of prolonging their stay in Australia.

Further, with the economic environment starting to recover overseas, the number of Australian citizens and residents departing Australia is also likely to increase.

In fact, based on current trends net migration is projected to decline to around 230 000 to 250 000 in 2009–10.

Managing immigration levels in a sustainable manner is a challenging task and requires a great commitment.
However, with careful planning, the challenges arising can be managed to the benefit of all Australians.

To address these challenges, the government relies on foresight and innovative thought, a grounding in practical goals and evidence, an open mind, a commitment to overcoming obstacles, and above all solid evidence to inform policies of longer term implications.

Fortunately we have strong data which informs our immigration policies and outcomes—data that enables us to monitor the number and characteristics of people entering and leaving Australia.

I am proud to say that a combination of the passenger card and our comprehensive visa system helps us to calculate accurately the contribution of immigration to our population.

We need to be ahead of the game.

The department has already started work to develop forecasting capabilities to bring together the most credible outcomes in the medium to long term.

In a broader context, the development of the long-term migration planning framework will form part of DIAC's contribution to broader, whole-of-government policy issues, including Australia's first, comprehensive, sustainable population strategy.

Source: Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/speeches/2010/ce100431.htm

18 May 2010 -

Highly qualified chefs and cooks would continue to be welcome in Australia under a range of migration options, the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, said today.

The minister said the removal of these occupations from the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) would not hinder the industry's ability to target the skilled workers it needs.

'The removal of the classifications for chefs and cooks from the Skilled Occupation List will not affect the ability of restaurateurs to bring in qualified staff to meet demand in the industry,' Senator Evans said.

'We have reformed the skilled migration system to allow employers to target the skills they need in their businesses.

''Employers can nominate chefs and cooks on 457 visas, employer-sponsored visas and the new State migration plans.'

Senator Evans said employers were already using the system to recruit qualified staff with almost 1000 cooks and chefs being granted employer-sponsored visas to April 30 in 2009-10. This is a significant increase on the 420 sponsored by employers in 2007-08.

'Despite more than 4000 chefs and cooks being granted visas under the independent skilled migration program in 2007-08, there were critical shortages in the industry,' Senator Evans said.

'Clearly the majority of these people were not working as either cooks or chefs.

'The changes we have introduced will ensure that only those who have real jobs to go to in the industry will be granted visas.'

Senator Evans said the Government was determined to create a demand-driven migration program which meets the needs of the economy and employers.

As of 31 March this year, there were 3210 cooks and chefs working in Australia on employer-nominated 457 visas.

State and territories can also nominate occupations such as cooks and chefs for inclusion in their individual migration plans.

'The Government has streamlined the processing arrangements for the employer and state-sponsored visa programs to make it easier and quicker for employers to recruit workers from overseas,' Senator Evans said.

Source: Minister for Immigration & Citizenship,
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2010/ce10040.htm

17 May 2010 –

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, today announced a new Skilled Occupation List (SOL) designed to deliver highly skilled migrants and crackdown on people seeking permanent residency through low-value education courses.

Senator Evans said the list, developed by the independent body Skills Australia and containing 181 highly valued occupations, would ensure Australia's skilled migration program is demand-driven rather than supply-driven.

'We intend to fundamentally change the way we target skilled migrants to restore integrity to the skilled migration program,' Senator Evans said.

'Through a targeted migration program, the Rudd Government will attract skilled migrants of the highest calibre and deliver people with real skills to meet real need in our economy.'

The new SOL is a critical reform in the Government's overhaul of the skilled migration program and closes the door on those seeking to manipulate the migration system.

Only people with relevant qualifications in occupations listed on the SOL will be eligible for independent general skilled migration.

'Australia's migration program cannot be determined by the courses studied by international students,' Senator Evans said.

'This SOL represents a new direction which aims to ensure we choose migrants who have the skills to meet our nation's economic needs.

'The Rudd Government continues to value the very important contribution made by the international education sector and education providers that deliver high-quality courses to both Australian and overseas students will continue to prosper.

'International students who have the skills our economy needs will still be able to apply for permanent migration or be nominated by employers but we will no longer accept the thousands of cooks and hairdressers who applied under the guidelines established by the Howard government.'

Under the Howard government people who completed short courses in vocations such as cooking and hairdressing and had low English skills were almost assured of gaining permanent residence as a skilled migrant.

In 2007-08, of the 41 000 general skilled visas granted, more than 5 000 went to cooks and hairdressers; three quarters of them had formerly studied in Australia. These two occupations have been removed from the new SOL.

The Minister said he would recommend to the Governor-General in-Council amendments to the Migrations Regulations 1994 to give effect to this new framework.

The new SOL is proposed to come into effect on 1 July 2010 to replace the old list which contained more than 400 occupations. It will be updated annually.

Senator Evans said Skills Australia received advice from industry skills councils, industry peak bodies and Professions Australia to ensure the SOL contained occupations Australia needs in the medium to long term.
'The initiative builds on the reforms announced in February,' Senator Evans said.

'The Government has increased English language requirements for trade applicants and introduced a new job ready program for onshore trade applicants.

'There is now increased priority for employer sponsored migrants and this will ensure industry is able to quickly access the skilled workers it needs.'

During the past 18 months, the Government has driven a reform agenda, aimed at shifting the supply-driven skilled migration system we inherited to a demand-driven one.

'First and foremost, young Australians should be trained and given the opportunity to fill existing job vacancies. The Government has a national plan to ensure young people are skilled in the occupations where there is the greatest need,' Senator Evans said.

'But there are some occupations where there will continue to be a high demand for skills and we welcome highly trained people to Australia to fill these vacancies.
'Hospitals can't go without nurses, country towns can't do without a local GP and the resources sector increasingly needs skills.'

Chairman of the Government's National Resources Sector Employment Taskforce, Parliamentary Secretary for Western and Northern Australia Gary Gray, welcomed the new SOL and said it would address the needs of the resources sector.

'The taskforce has met with resource sector employers across the country and the clear message is that we need a targeted approach to migration,' Mr Gray said.

The government recognises the proposed changes would affect some overseas students currently in Australia intending to apply for permanent residence. The introduction of the new SOL does not change the concessions announced in February which provide generous transition arrangements for former and current international students seeking a visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program.

People who have already applied for a GSM visa would not be affected by the implementation of the new SOL.
The changes would in no way affect international students coming to Australia to gain a qualification and then return home.

Source: Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2010/ce10036.htm

MIA Media Release: Migration Program Still Uncertain (2010-2011 Federal Budget Response)

11 May 2010 -

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) welcomes the Government's measured approach to the Migration Program within the context 2010-2011 Federal Budget, and compliments the Minister for his recognition that "Foreign skilled labour is an important driver of economic growth."

However, this Budget does little to alleviate the uncertainty surrounding the migration program and the lack of confidence in Australia as a destination for highly skilled people overseas. The patchwork changes made to the skilled migration program over the past year have left many thousands adrift without consistency or surety.

"An effective skilled migration program can only be achieved with an immediate announcement of the Skilled Occupation List (SOL), now weeks overdue, and a revised Points Test, which underpins the overall program," said Maurene Horder, MIA CEO. "The MIA urges the government to move quickly for the sake of certainty and stability and in recognition of the significant role that skilled migration plays within Australia's economy."

It is disappointing that the 2010-2011 Migration Program reduces the family migration stream levels by 5750 program places, downgrading what was historically a significant element in the development of a cohesive Australian society and one that will be sorely missed. The visitation allowance for family members that replaces these spots is a poor substitute and one which needs to be supported by sensible and sensitive policy changes.

Similarly, the humanitarian program is disappointing as – in the time of significant world turmoil – Australia can afford to be more generous to refugees and asylum seekers around the globe. We need a humanitarian and settlement program that responds to asylum needs and enables people to integrate well into Australian society.

The scant 200 spot increase in the business skills visa category are also unsatisfactory. If properly handled, this stream could make a significant contribution to Australian economic development.

In relation to the administrative budget of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), the MIA had hoped for resources greater than a mere $250,000 devoted to research, especially in context of the current population and migration debates.

The MIA had hoped for a Federal Budget which provided some answers for potential migrants, but instead the importance of migration has been overshadowed.

Source: Migration Institute of Australia http://mia.org.au/

8 May 2010 -

SKILLED migrants will be stopped from coming to Australia until the federal government reveals a shortened list of jobs the country wants filled.

Yesterday, Immigration Minister Chris Evans said certain skilled migrants would have their applications for visas suspended until the government announced its new skilled occupation list.

The government has been slow to announce the revised list, which aims to cut the ability of students to stay in Australia if they fail to work in the fields they study.

The list, which is expected to shed hairdressers and cooks, was meant to be announced in April.

Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said the suspension hit regional Australia the hardest.

''To turn off the tap for regional skills is very concerning,'' he said. ''We remain very sceptical of what this list will mean for trade skills, and the hospitality sector and regional areas. They are all very anxious.''

The skilled occupation list has been devised by Skills Australia and has been handed to the government. Senator Evans said the list would be announced this month.

Yesterday's suspension on ''skilled independent'', ''skilled sponsored'' and ''skilled regional sponsored'' migration would not affect international students applying for onshore skilled migration visas, he said.

Source: The Age http://www.theage.com.au/

17 February 2010 -

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans, has released a discussion paper to seek public comment on a review of the points test used to assess General Skilled Migration applicants.

Under the current points test, potential skilled migration applicants who are not sponsored by an employer need to accumulate up to 120 points based on their qualifications, skills and proficiency in English in order to be eligible for a visa.

However, the application of the current points test has not always led to outcomes that are consistent with the objectives of selecting skilled migrants with high value skills to meet Australia's economic needs.

For example, the current test puts an overseas student with a short-term vocational qualification and one year's work experience gained in Australia ahead of a Harvard-educated environmental scientist with three years relevant work experience.

The test should select those most likely to quickly secure skilled work on the basis of their qualifications, skills and experience, and proficiency in English to ensure Australia gets the best and brightest migrants.

The review will consider issues including whether some occupations should warrant more points than others, whether sufficient points are awarded for work experience and excellence in English, and whether there should be points for qualifications obtained from high quality overseas universities.

The following principles will underpin a new points test:

• it should contribute to the selection of applicants who offer the most human capital and will therefore make the optimal contribution to Australia's demographic and economic future;
• it should not preclude very good applicants from offshore or in Australia, including former international students;
• it should be able to operate flexibly under both current arrangements and any new arrangements for skilled migrant selection;
• it should enable applicants with high value attributes across a number of areas such as English language ability, academic qualifications and work experience, to achieve the maximum number of points; and
• it should not give undue weight to any one factor, so as to avoid distortions in the program arising from applicants seeking to meet that factor.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship will report to Government on the outcomes of the review in May 2010.

The points test review is one of the key reforms to the permanent skilled migration program announced by the Rudd Government last week. The reforms will deliver a demand rather than a supply driven skilled migration program to meet critical needs in sectors and regions where there are shortages of highly skilled workers, such as healthcare, engineering and mining.

Source: Minister for Immigration & Citizenship
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2010/ce10012.htm

6 February 2010 -

The federal government is set to overhaul Australia's skilled migration program, but industry bodies fear it will throw the flagging international education sector into further disarray.

The changes, due to be announced by Immigration Minister Chris Evans on Monday, will include amendments to the ''migration occupations in demand'' list, which sets out areas where skilled workers are needed and awards ''points'' to migrants applying to work in these areas.

The changes, which are aimed at meeting the country's long-term skill needs, are being heralded as ''significant policy reforms'' by Immigration Department secretary Andrew Metcalfe.

Senator Evans will detail the changes in a speech to industry and union representatives, including the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, AiGroup, the Minerals Council of Australia and the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union.

The government is also expected to reconsider January 1 changes to the temporary ''457'' category of visa, which businesses have criticised for impeding the ability of Australian employers to recruit desperately needed workers from overseas.

In private discussions, immigration officials have said the government would support changes that place a greater focus on employer-sponsored visas, and give state governments power to import workers under state sponsorship visas.

Though points migrants earn for working jobs on the demand list are small, they can tip the balance between being eligible to live in Australia and not being admitted. An industry source said skilled migrants under 30 most frequently used the points system.

The changes are expected to break the link between permanent residency and trade occupations, such as hairdressing and cookery, currently on the demand list and attractive to overseas students wishing to stay on in Australia.

''It's a very sensitive area,'' the industry source said. ''The problem is, we can't compel students to work in the job for which they train.''

The implications for Australia's $17 billion education sector are significant.

The changes could dash the permanent residency hopes of foreign students enrolled in a sector already battling college foreclosures and bad publicity for attacks on Indian students.

''In the short term, registered training organisations could face closure and bigger providers like TAFE could take a big financial hit,'' the source said.

The Skilled Migration Consultative Panel was due to complete its review of the migration occupations in demand list in late 2009. It last met on January 21 to discuss imminent changes.

At the meeting, immigration officials told interest groups the current points test for migrants would be revised as it was inefficient in responding to employers' immediate skills needs.

The changes are expected to take effect from midnight the day of the announcement, with industry warned of a surge in applications from people wishing to take advantage of the current system before it changes.

The chief executive of the Australian Council of Private Education and Training, Andrew Smith, said he hoped the review factored in the value of the education sector to the economy and looked after students.

''We'd be concerned to ensure that changes have appropriate transition arrangements so students have certainty and disruptions to this vital sector are minimised,'' Mr Smith said.

Source: The Age http://www.theage.com.au/

Australia facing new skills shortage - report

1 February 2010 -

The country is again experiencing a national skills shortage, with builders, engineers and tradespeople in high demand, a report says.

The research paper, launched today by leading recruitment company Clarius, will claim the surplus of skilled workers that formed during the global financial crisis has started to recede at an alarming pace, with 17 of the 20 skilled occupation categories experiencing a sharp drop in labour in the last three months of last year.

Clarius' economists estimated there were now only 17,000 skilled professionals seeking employment in what they deem skilled occupation categories, down from the 45,000 estimated during the September quarter.
"Of most concern is the underlying trend back to chronic skills shortages, which is moving the fastest among the building and engineering professionals and tradespeople who are so desperately needed to fulfil the nation's infrastructure agenda," Clarius chief operating officer Kym Quick said.

Aside from the growth estimated this year, the re-emergence of Australia's skills shortage was being compounded by our ageing population.

As skilled baby boomers reached retirement age, the nation would face the unparalleled loss of skills and experience, the group said.

"The skilled labour shortage issue might have fallen off a cliff in March last year but it has dusted itself off in the last eight months and is now climbing back up the rock face faster than most recruitment experts would have predicted."

According to the key findings, chef remained the occupation with the highest skills shortage, while skilled tradespersons, building professionals and engineers remained scarce.

The shortage of skilled labour in the last three professions was confirmed by the Housing Industry Association last month.

Its research team estimated the shortfall of skilled workers in residential construction was currently just under 60,000, and would blow out to almost 65,000 nationally by 2012.

"The residential construction industry is almost certainly going to face a skills crunch," HIA's chief Shane Goodwin said.

Source: http://www.news.com.au