New Skilled Migration Laws For Australia

Australia to Introduce New Rules on Skilled Migration - Refunds Issued to 20,000 on Waiting List - Occupations In Demand List Scrapped

20,000 overseas applicants will have their bid for permanent residency in Australia denied and their fees refunded as part of a bold new proposal by the federal government on skilled migration.

The new laws are designed to provide for a more balanced migration intake which better reflects the needs of the economy. They will enable better targeting of vital skill shortage areas such as nursing, medical, engineering and trades.

It means that other professions such as cooks and hairdressers which were previously on the occupation in demand list will no longer gain preferential treatment.

The 20,000 applications lodged before September 2007 in the general skilled migration category will be automatically refused, and all applicants will have their fees refunded.

As part of the new rules, the Immigration Minister will gain powers to set a limit on the intake for any particular profession.

The current scheme had been criticised for creating a situation where education providers in Australia tailored their courses specifically to provide a pathway to migration. It has been reported that this has allowed for thousands of people migrating as hairdressers, cooks and accountants, with very few actually working in that industry after gaining residence.

Students already in Australia who find their qualification no longer in demand will be granted an additional 18 months in which to gain relevant work experience or find an employer willing to sponsor their permanent migration.