May
2006 Budget 2006-07
Australia’s
Migration Program will maintain its skilled migrant intake number
at 97,500 for 2006-07. An
additional 3000 family stream places were provided in the
2005-06 programme year and there will be an additional 4,000 places
a year from 2006-07 to
benefit Australian Citizens and permanent Residents who have Australian
Partners. This increase takes the family stream to 45,000 places in 2005-06
and 46,000 places from 2006-07.
Skilled
Migration Plans - Increased Emphasis on English and Work Experience
The Minister
of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has confirmed
the
outcome of a major independent evaluation of the general skilled migratrion
categories. To give skilled migrants the best chance to find skilled
jobs quickly, there are plans to:
- increase the base level of English language proficiency
-increase bonus points for those who achieve English langyuage scores above the
base level
-place greater emphasis on skilled work experience, which will affect former
overseas students who are currently exempt from work experience requirements.
When the proposed measures are in place they will need to demonstrate they have
skilled work experience or have undertaken a professional year.
Overseas students who have completed their studies
will be able to apply for an 18 month work visa and remain in Australia
for
a limited
period.
Migration
Programme 2005-2006 Australia’s
Migration Program will again increase for the eight successive
year, with
an overall program (non-Humanitarian) in the range of 130,000 to
140,000 places, and with a Skill Stream of around 97,500. The
Skilled Stream has strict selection standards, as the categories are intended
to help meet Australia's short and long term labour force needs with a
positive impact on the Australian economy.
The
approx 20,000 additional places will target employer sponsored migration,
State/Territory and region sponsored migration, and migrants who are
able
to nominate an occupation on the Migration Occupations in Demand List
(MODL).
Please
refer DIMA website for more information
on the australian migration program.
OVERVIEW
OF CHANGES - Australian Migration Program
New schemes are being introduced to make the skilled program more competitive
with other countries vying to attract skilled workers:
Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)
The MODL will include more trades and engineering occupations, and which
will be reviewed every 6 months to ensure it remains responsive to emerging
skill needs. There are plans to provide visa holders who enter on the
basis of a MODL occupation to have access to job matching services.
Trade
Apprenticeships
A
pilot program will allow regional areas to attract overseas students to
undertake a traditional trade apprenticeship on a full fee paying basis,
with the ability to apply for migration under one of the regional visa
categories on successful completion.
Skilled
Independent Regional (SIR) visa
From
1 July 2005, the SIR (3 year provisional) visa will attract an extra 10
points for State or Territory Sponsorship, which will allow more applicants
to meet the pass mark (currently 110 points) and address skills shortges
in regional areas.
Working
Holiday Makers
Working Holiday Makers will be able to apply for a second Working Holiday
visa (date this commences is as yet unknown), if they have been employed
for at least 3 months of seasonal harvest work in regional Australia,
to help ensure farmers get the labour they need. From 1 November 2005,
Working Holiday Makers and Occupational Trainees will
be allowed to apply for an SIR visa without leaving Australia,
subject to meeting the pass mark.
DIMA Outreach Officers
A number of DIMA officers will be outposted to ten key industry bodies
to work closely with industry to assist employers seeking skilled workers
from overseas, and to provide feedback to government on skill issues.
Skilled
Designated Area Sponsored Visa
From
mid 2006, skilled migrants with sponsorship by family living in a Designated
Area of Australia will now be granted a provisional 3 year temporary visa,
and must live in the same designated area as their family sponsor
for a minimum of two years and work in the designated are for at least
one year before being able to apply for permanent residency. This two
stage process provides more assurance that new arrivals will settle in
the same State or Territory as their sponsor, in line with the visa objectives.
In
the Family Stream, integrity measures are being introduced to
tighten up on other areas of concern:
Partners
From 1 April 2006, partners will not
become eligible for a permanent visa until two years after their provisional
visa has been granted, and they must have co-habited for at least one
year after the provisional visa is granted.
Domestic Violence
Effective 1 July, 2005 peoply applying to DIMIA to remain in Australia
on the basis of having experienced Domestic Violence may have doubtful
claims referred to an independent service provider.
Remaining Relatives
From 1 November 2005, applicants under the Remaining Relative category
will no longer be able to have up to three near relatives overseas under
the previous no 'contact' provision. Applicants now have to be the 'last
remaining relative'.
Close
Ties
Provisions which allow for a person who became unlawful before
turning 18 and now aged over 18 and no longer living with the family they
entered Australia with - have been removed from 1 July 2005. The criteria
for former permanent residents will remain unchanged.
Please
follow the link for a no cost and obligation FREE
VISA
Assessment regarding your eligibility for migration
by an Australian Registered Migration Agent, or
send an email.
|
