MEDIA CENTRE
Australia's Skills and Migrants to Increase
VPS 059/2004
Today the Government has moved to increase both the skills and numbers
of migrants coming to Australia and in particular to focus migration
to regional Australia.
To increase the skills of migrants coming to Australia the passmark
for the general skilled independent visa categories for permanent
residence will be raised from 115 to 120. Rising demand for migration
to Australia allows us to attract migrants with higher levels of
skill. The passmark was last increased in 2002.
To protect international students currently completing their studies
in Australia the new passmark will not apply to those who apply before
April 2005.
The number of migrants coming to Australia will also increase because
5 000 additional places will be allocated to the new two stage Skilled
independent visa. This special visa was announced in January and is
available to those people who can't meet the new passmark but do meet
the 2002 standard, provided they commit to living and working in
regional Australia.
This increase will help States and territories to match migrants to
skill shortages and economic needs.
States who want skilled migrants will have the opportunity to sponsor
them under this visa. States who don't want them will not sponsor
them.
More doctors will also be brought to Australia. The revised program
provides for an extra 1 000 places for doctors and their families in
2004/05.
Modelling by Access Economics estimates that the migration program
will contribute over $4 Billion to the Commonwealth Budget over the
next four years.
The 2004-05 Program continues the Government's strong commitment to
managed migration in the national interest.
We expect to deliver the largest Skill Stream in Australia's history
at around 77 000 people. Over 70 000 visas in 2003-04 will be
delivered.
The new Program also ensures that Australia's working age population
will continue to grow past the middle of this century, rather than
decline as it would without immigration.
A likely outcome for the 2004/05 Migration (non-Humanitarian) Program
will be around 120 000 places.
01 April 2004
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/medi...a04/v04059.htm
PSS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------