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Australian Budget 2011-12: Skilled Migration Reform.

The Federal Government will implement a suite of regional migration initiatives together with a measured increase in permanent migration – to 185 000 visas – in 2011-12 to deliver on its broader economic and regional development priorities.

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, made the announcement today as part of the 2011-12 Budget, and said a new model for selecting skilled migrants was proposed to be introduced, as the significant next step in the government’s migration reforms.

The government’s recent reforms have contributed to a decline in net overseas migration levels by almost half from its peak of more than 315 000 for the year ending December 2008 to about 180 000 for the year ending September 2010, slowing the rate of population growth to a more sustainable level.

‘This has provided scope for a moderate increase in the migration program in 2011-12, while maintaining more sustainable annual levels of net overseas migration – in the region of 170 000–180 000 over the next few years,’ Mr Bowen said.

About two-thirds of the increased migration program will be for skilled migrants to help fill critical skill needs, particularly in regional areas.

The skill stream intake will increase to 125 850 places, with 16 000 places allocated to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme. Regional visas will also be afforded the highest processing priority to recognise the needs of employers and encourage regional migration.

‘For the first time, the Federal Government will specifically allocate permanent visas for regional areas,’ Mr Bowen said.

The government will also fast-track permanent residency for temporary business (subclass 457) visa holders who have spent two years in regional Australia and where their employer will continue to sponsor them for a further two years. This will make it easier for 457 visa holders to remain in the region where they have been living and working.

Mr Bowen said regional areas would also benefit from the introduction of Regional Migration Agreements, a new initiative that will bring together employers, local and state governments and unions to cooperate in addressing local labour needs.

‘This government recognises that different regions face different opportunities and pressures. The patchwork nature of the Australian labour market means it’s important to recognise unique local circumstances and tailor migration solutions accordingly,’ he said.

‘Regional Migration Agreements will offer a coordinated, localised response to labour needs, helping local areas to implement workforce strategies that support growth while ensuring local workers remain the first choice for employers and industry.’

Fostering training initiatives for Australians will be a strong focus of the new agreements. The existing network of regional, industry and union outreach officers will also be further resourced to ensure regional employers and industry groups are well informed about such initiatives, and can better gain access to skilled labour where it is needed.

‘This is a responsible and measured approach that recognises the role skilled migrants play in supporting regional enterprises, such as in the resources and healthcare sectors and in trades and professions currently facing significant shortages,’ Mr Bowen said.

The family intake for the 2011–12 migration program will increase to 58 600 places. The family program is socially important as it allows for the reunification of Australians with their close relatives, children and spouses.

Mr Bowen said in setting the size and composition of the migration program for 2011–12, and announcing recent reforms to skilled migration, the government has balanced the importance of maximising prosperity for all Australians, ensuring communities and regions are sustainable and maintaining job opportunities for local workers.

‘It is critical that Australia’s skilled migration program is driven by Australia’s skills needs, rather than the desires of prospective migrants,’ he said.

‘That’s why the government will introduce a new model for selecting skilled migrants to better target Australia’s future skill needs, expected to come into effect on 1 July 2012.’

The new model concludes a series of reforms to ensure the skilled migration program is more focussed and efficient, demand-driven and tailored to employers’ needs.

‘Under this model, the government will be able to select migrants like a business manages its workforce – selecting the best candidates, altering the skill composition of its workforce, and speeding up or slowing down recruitment as circumstances change,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘The new system will be fair and equitable for people wishing to migrate to Australia, and will deliver strong outcomes for local employers who demonstrate they are unable to fill their skilled positions locally.

‘To maximise its potential, input from business, industry and migration representatives is crucial, and my department will be conducting consultation throughout 2011 as it develops the details of this model.’

See: More information on the 2011-12 migration program

More English Language test Options.

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, has announced three additional English language test options for student visa applicants to address the current shortage of test places.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) will be expanded for use by applicants from all countries, and the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) and the Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) from Cambridge ESOL will shortly be added to the existing English language tests for student visa purposes specified in the Migration Regulations 1994. The Government anticipates these new tests will be accepted for student visa applications later this year.

‘We have given careful consideration when selecting these three English language test providers to ensure that high standards of integrity are maintained and that test score results are appropriately safeguarded,’ Mr Bowen said.

‘The integrity of English language testing is important because the language test results are a key component in visa application requirements.

‘These additional English language test options will help to create competition in the English language testing market, while creating more test places for student visa applicants.

‘They will also provide candidates with greater choice and enable them to more quickly obtain test results needed for visa applications.’

Currently, the main English language test accepted by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for Australian visa purposes is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The Government has had a good working relationship with IELTS and we expect that to continue into the future.

The Government will closely monitor and review the implementation of the new tests to determine whether these should be introduced for other visa programs at a later date.

Further information will soon be available on DIAC’s website
See: www.immi.gov.au

Still Cleaning Up……Floods Down Under.

Whilst Brisbane CBD is up and working again, many nearby suburbs are still ghost towns. Further into Queensland towns are still waiting for work to begin and be completed. For more details on the rebuilding of parts of Queensland: http://www.qldreconstruction.org.au/

Does the Australian Government Back both Australian Nationals & Migrants.

The Australian migration system isn’t a very forgiving one. It doesn’t bow or bend to trends.

Even with a range of visa types and classification a visa can be difficult to gain, without specific skills or experience.

However, once here, the government is said to be defensive of  both Australian nationals and those who have moved to Australia full-time.

How do we shop here in Australia?

According to IBIS World predictions there is a shift in the way we shop here in Australia.

For immigrants coming in,

Shopping online in Australia

this can be a relief.

We are rapidly increasing our online shopping with ‘Generation Y’ leading the way. Whilst the up and coming generation are doing it tough on the job market, it is predicted that they will increase their earnings over the next 10 years, fuelling growth in online spending – their preferred means of purchasing.

We should start to see a multi-channel approach integrating the Internet and associated online technologies to a greater extent than we see today. Additional service options for online buyers, such as the opportunity to return goods online and interact with customer service staff are on their way.

North Brisbane French Preschool

French Language classes in Brisbane.

Roger Garin-Michaud, long-term French teacher / tutor and entrepreneur, is initiating the creation of a French Preschool in Northern Brisbane area, on the same model as the Australian French Preschool, for a start in 2012.

This will no doubt be very welcomed… Please express your interest to Roger, see his web-site here:

http://www.golden-wheel.net/

Is Australia a Rich Country?

Australian Sun, Sae, Sand.

Sun, sea and sand has attracted millions of people to apply for visas over the last few years.

Is Australia really as prosperous as many would have you believe?

How much do we work in Australia?

Hard Working

The trend on the rise is the work life balance.

More people want part-time work and talk about job share options, this can be be due to family commitments or for a gentle retirement.

Is a strong work ethic alive & well? Do we in Australian work hard? Have your say….