Australian Budget 2011-2012: How it will affect immigration policy?
Skilled Migration Selection Proposal
The Australian Budget for 2011-2012 introduced a new Skilled Migration Selection program.
Individuals and families applying for independent, family or state and territory sponsored visas will be affected by the new model proposed to commence in July, 2012.
Applicants for these independently sponsored visas will have to place an expression of interest using an online electronic processing system rather than submitting directly for a visa, according to the model.
Individuals may be invited to submit a full application only if their original expression of interest is accepted.
457 or employer sponsored visa applicants will escape the effects of the proposed changes.
Introduction of Enterprise Migration Agreements
Also introduced as part of the Budget, Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs) are designed to speed up the completion times of major resource projects with a capital expenditure greater than $2 billion.
The EMAs have been drawn up specifically to deal with labour shortages in employment areas that do not fall under skilled migration requirements.
It is likely that the mining industry, above any other Australian venture, will have the funds to fulfill the large capital expenditure requirement.
Those companies employing individual under the EMAs are obliged to invest the equivalent of 2 per cent of their pay roll on training and must comply with normal 457 obligations.
Increased Funding for 457
As a direct result of the Queensland Flood crisis earlier in 2011, an extra $10 million has been dedicated to accelerating the processing time of 457 applications.
A new processing centre will be established in Brisbane in order to speed up the reconstruction of areas ravaged by flooding.
457 processing times are exected to halve.
New Regional Migration Agreements
It is hoped labour shortages in regional areas will be filled.
The RMAs will target high growth areas with local labour shortages.
Regional Migration Agreements (RMAs) will be introduced in 2012 and are designed to match immigrants to regional areas in need of their skill sets.
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