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In March, the Government cut the 2008-09 permanent skilled migration intake by 14 per cent from 133 500 to 115 000. This reduction to 108 100 places represents an overall drop of almost 20 per cent on previous planning levels.
‘The Government remains committed to a strong migration program but unemployment in Australia is expected to increase as the economy slows,' Senator Evans said.
‘The migration intake in the coming year reflects the economic climate while ensuring employers can gain access to skilled professionals in industries still experiencing skills shortages.
‘The reduction is being achieved through a cutback in places for the general skilled category rather than in the high-demand employer-sponsored category or in areas in which Australia has critical skills shortages.'
In addition to the cutback in places, the Government will be increasing the English language level required for trades-related occupations and introduce a targeted skills-testing regime to ensure that migrants have both the language and skills needed to participate in the labour market.
The Government's reform measures are aimed at ensuring an appropriate balance between providing skills needed in the economy now (demand-driven employer-sponsored), in the future (independent skilled pathway) and in the regions (government-sponsored pathway).
‘The Government has begun the task of constructing a long-term planning framework for migration as a key component of the current reform agenda,' Senator Evans said.
The Government will provide more opportunities for family reunions with an increase of 3800 places in the family component of the Migration Program, to 60 300. The increase includes an additional 2500 places for partners, 1000 places for contributory parents and 300 for child visas.
‘We are recognising the importance of family through this boost which will benefit Australians who seek to have their parents, partners or children join them to live here permanently,' the minister said.
Overall, the Migration Program will total 168 700 for 2009-10, which comprises the 60 300 family places, 108 100 skilled places and a further 300 places for special eligibility.
Highlights of 2009 Federal Budget on the Migration Program
- The Migration Program will total 168,700 places for 2009-10.
- The Federal Government's 2009 Budget has made a further cut to the permanent skilled migration intake to 108,000 places for the 2009-10 program (a 20% reduction to the previous budget)
- The reducti on will be achieved largely through cutbacks in the General Skilled Category
- A job-readiness test will be introduced for onshore skilled applicants
- The Government will be increasing the English language requirement for trades occupation to IELTS 6 from 1 July 2009 for offshore applicants and 1 January 2010 for onshore applicants
- There will be fewer visas granted to trade level occupations
- There will be an increase in family migration places to 60,300, including addition 2500 for partners, 1000 for contributory parents and 300 for child visas
- Increased humanitarian Program to 13,750 (7750 Special Humanitarian and 6000 refugee)
- Increased funding to improve detention centres
- DIAC staff reductions
- Increased costs for DIAC to establish the new Office of the MARA
Full details of the Government's Budget statements can be found at: http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/budget/budget09/budget09pbs.htm
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