PREDICTIONS of economic capacity constraints and rising inflation have renewed business pressure on Julia Gillard to make bold reforms.
Business groups have focused on tax and welfare impediments to work and better targeting of skilled migration.
Business Council of Australia chief executive Katie Lahey said the projected strengthening of Australia's economy -- to an above-trend rate over the next two years -- highlighted the importance of pressing ahead with bold reforms.
Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry economics director Greg Evans called on the government to re-examine tax and welfare disincentives to entering the workforce and better targeting of the skilled migration program to address skills shortages.
The calls come ahead of a speech today at an AiGroup function in Sydney at which Immigration Minister Chris Bowen is expected to announce immigration points system changes that shift the emphasis to high skills and employee sponsorship and make it harder for overseas students with low-quality local qualifications to secure permanent residency.
The business calls follow the mid-year economic and fiscal outlook, released by Wayne Swan on Tuesday.
They predicted a fall in unemployment to 4.75 per cent in the June quarter next year and to 4.5 per cent in the June quarter of 2012.
With the economy reaching capacity, inflationary pressure was tipped to increase.
Mr Evans said it was important to look at all opportunities to improve workforce participation, such as cutting income tax to encourage people into the workforce and reskilling workers.
He said it was also important that skilled migration was targeted to deal with industry demands.
Skills shortages were emerging in the resources industry, engineering, construction and hospitality.
Minerals Council of Australia chief executive Mitch Hooke said a robust skilled migrant system would be needed as unemployment declined.
"Any attempt to artificially cap or limit skilled migration, rather than allow economic forces to determine the intake, would be a retrograde step," he said.
A more market-responsive vocational education and training sector and greater efforts to promote indigenous workforce participation would also help Australia meet skills challenges.
Mr Bowen said yesterday Labor's migration reforms had delivered sustainable immigration while responding to labour market needs.
Opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison said greater workforce participation was a key target
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/employers-crank-up-pressure-for-reform/story-fn59niix-1225951401981
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Overseas students face biometric scans
FOREIGN students will be included in a trial of biometric checks as part of a wider campaign to weed out potential terrorists.
The move has raised concerns, with overseas student educators calling for it to be handled sensitively to ensure negative attitudes to Australia as a study destination are not compounded by the initiative.
The Immigration Department last week confirmed that biometrics would be extended from detainees and asylum-seekers to most types of offshore visa applications, including student visas.
The screening process has been described by the Immigration Department as a discreet, non-intrusive examination that captures a digital facial image and 10-digit fingerprint scan.
The first stage of the trial will be applied at two locations. It then will be extended to missions across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East in line with procedures already operating in Britain, the US, Japan and parts of the Middle East.
People applying for English-language and schools-sector visas as well as for vocational education, higher education, postgraduate research and AusAID visas will be among those subjected to biometric scanning, an Immigration Department fact sheet says. .
"National security and fraud risks in the visa caseload" would guide the biometric collection categories, a department spokesman said.
The move follows the Immigration Department's receipt of a confidential risk assessment of Australia's student visa program last year that raised concerns about identity fraud in higher and vocational education visas.
In 2005, some British universities and colleges of higher education were suspected of becoming safe havens for terrorist ideas and recruits, according to London-based think tank the Social Affairs Unit.
At least two of the London bombers, who killed 52 people in July that year, had studied at British universities or higher education colleges, the Social Affairs Unit noted.
Dennis Murray, executive director of the International Education Association of Australia, said biometric scanning was an increasingly important tool in the fight against identity crime, and "potential students are part of that picture".
But it would be important for the matter "to be handled sensitively at overseas posts so as not to reinforce the current unfortunate perception that international students are not welcome in Australia", he said.
Council of International Students Australia president Robert Atcheson said clear rules were needed to protect individuals' privacy.
Biometric data collection will begin at selected locations in the next seven weeks; these will be announced as they are rolled out.
The government has come under pressure for not naming the countries to be targeted but it has argued it doesn't want undesirables exploiting the information before the system is in place.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/overseas-students-face-biometric-scans/story-e6frgcjx-1225950261579
The move has raised concerns, with overseas student educators calling for it to be handled sensitively to ensure negative attitudes to Australia as a study destination are not compounded by the initiative.
The Immigration Department last week confirmed that biometrics would be extended from detainees and asylum-seekers to most types of offshore visa applications, including student visas.
The screening process has been described by the Immigration Department as a discreet, non-intrusive examination that captures a digital facial image and 10-digit fingerprint scan.
The first stage of the trial will be applied at two locations. It then will be extended to missions across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East in line with procedures already operating in Britain, the US, Japan and parts of the Middle East.
People applying for English-language and schools-sector visas as well as for vocational education, higher education, postgraduate research and AusAID visas will be among those subjected to biometric scanning, an Immigration Department fact sheet says. .
"National security and fraud risks in the visa caseload" would guide the biometric collection categories, a department spokesman said.
The move follows the Immigration Department's receipt of a confidential risk assessment of Australia's student visa program last year that raised concerns about identity fraud in higher and vocational education visas.
In 2005, some British universities and colleges of higher education were suspected of becoming safe havens for terrorist ideas and recruits, according to London-based think tank the Social Affairs Unit.
At least two of the London bombers, who killed 52 people in July that year, had studied at British universities or higher education colleges, the Social Affairs Unit noted.
Dennis Murray, executive director of the International Education Association of Australia, said biometric scanning was an increasingly important tool in the fight against identity crime, and "potential students are part of that picture".
But it would be important for the matter "to be handled sensitively at overseas posts so as not to reinforce the current unfortunate perception that international students are not welcome in Australia", he said.
Council of International Students Australia president Robert Atcheson said clear rules were needed to protect individuals' privacy.
Biometric data collection will begin at selected locations in the next seven weeks; these will be announced as they are rolled out.
The government has come under pressure for not naming the countries to be targeted but it has argued it doesn't want undesirables exploiting the information before the system is in place.
Source:http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/overseas-students-face-biometric-scans/story-e6frgcjx-1225950261579
Monday, November 8, 2010
Commencement of ACT State Migration Plan
Federal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Chris Bowen MP, and Australian Capital Territory Chief Minister, Jon Stanhope, today announced the commencement of the ACT State Migration Plan.
‘State Migration Plans are part of the Gillard Government’s continued commitment to supporting the Australian economy by attracting skilled migrants who can positively contribute to our workforce,’ Mr Bowen said.
‘The implementation of State Migration Plans will provide flexibility for state and territory governments to nominate skilled migrants in a broader range of occupations than are currently offered on the Skilled Occupation List.’
‘The ACT has amongst the strongest economy of any jurisdiction in Australia with extremely low unemployment,’ Mr Stanhope said.
‘This has led to skills shortages in some areas and the State Migration Plan will complement ACT Government initiatives to help alleviate these shortages.’
State Migration Plans are agreements between individual states and territories with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The agreements specify an overall number of applicants that each state and territory can nominate and what occupations they can nominate skilled migrants to work in.
While state and territory governments have always had the capacity to nominate applicants for the purposes of the General Skilled Migration Program, the introduction of these plans is intended to improve the targeting of this part of the program.
The Victorian State Migration plan has already commenced. Further State Migration Plans are expected to be finalised over the coming weeks.
Source:http://www.ttkn.com/law-and-order/commencement-of-act-state-migration-plan-5825.html
‘State Migration Plans are part of the Gillard Government’s continued commitment to supporting the Australian economy by attracting skilled migrants who can positively contribute to our workforce,’ Mr Bowen said.
‘The implementation of State Migration Plans will provide flexibility for state and territory governments to nominate skilled migrants in a broader range of occupations than are currently offered on the Skilled Occupation List.’
‘The ACT has amongst the strongest economy of any jurisdiction in Australia with extremely low unemployment,’ Mr Stanhope said.
‘This has led to skills shortages in some areas and the State Migration Plan will complement ACT Government initiatives to help alleviate these shortages.’
State Migration Plans are agreements between individual states and territories with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. The agreements specify an overall number of applicants that each state and territory can nominate and what occupations they can nominate skilled migrants to work in.
While state and territory governments have always had the capacity to nominate applicants for the purposes of the General Skilled Migration Program, the introduction of these plans is intended to improve the targeting of this part of the program.
The Victorian State Migration plan has already commenced. Further State Migration Plans are expected to be finalised over the coming weeks.
Source:http://www.ttkn.com/law-and-order/commencement-of-act-state-migration-plan-5825.html
More leave for Australia, but migration to NZ up
Statistics New Zealand reports 800 more people left for Australia than arrived in September, up from a net loss of 700 in August.
Overall, 1100 more people came into the country than left on a permanent basis in September.
That compares to net migration of 900 in July and August.
Migration to New Zealand has rebounded in recent months after dropping to a low of just 200 in June this year.
Source:http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/60053/more-leave-for-australia,-but-migration-to-nz-up
Overall, 1100 more people came into the country than left on a permanent basis in September.
That compares to net migration of 900 in July and August.
Migration to New Zealand has rebounded in recent months after dropping to a low of just 200 in June this year.
Source:http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/60053/more-leave-for-australia,-but-migration-to-nz-up
Migration plan targets ACT's skills shortage
The territory's skills shortage could improve within nine months following changes to the ACT's professional migration program.
The changes will allow the Government to rank occupations in order of need by closing applications for saturated industries and limiting others.
The ACT was the second jurisdiction after Victoria to implement its State Migration Plan. The changes aim to provide flexibility to nominate skilled migrants in a broader range of occupations than are currently offered on the Skilled Occupation List.
State Migration Plans are agreed with the federal minister. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the plans specified an overall number of applicants and in what occupations they could be nominated. The plans would improve the focus of the General Skilled Migration Program.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said, ''The ACT has .. the strongest economy of any jurisdiction in Australia, with extremely low unemployment. This has led to skills shortages in some areas and the State Migration Plan will complement ACT Government initiatives to help alleviate these shortages.''
Under the ACT's plan, three occupations are closed to skilled migrants - hotel and motel manager, journalist and economist - and 14 are classified as limited.
A spokesman for the minister said the program would make Canberra more attractive to prospective skilled migrants. ''The ACT's State Migration Plan received its first inquiries within three minutes of the media release being issued this afternoon,'' he said.
''The average processing time for visas is between six and nine months. Under the SMP, the ACT has been allocated 725 primary sponsorships [the applicants] and can take a total of 1740, which includes the dependants of the primary applicants.''
Source:http://www.canberratimes.com.au
The changes will allow the Government to rank occupations in order of need by closing applications for saturated industries and limiting others.
The ACT was the second jurisdiction after Victoria to implement its State Migration Plan. The changes aim to provide flexibility to nominate skilled migrants in a broader range of occupations than are currently offered on the Skilled Occupation List.
State Migration Plans are agreed with the federal minister. Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said the plans specified an overall number of applicants and in what occupations they could be nominated. The plans would improve the focus of the General Skilled Migration Program.
Chief Minister Jon Stanhope said, ''The ACT has .. the strongest economy of any jurisdiction in Australia, with extremely low unemployment. This has led to skills shortages in some areas and the State Migration Plan will complement ACT Government initiatives to help alleviate these shortages.''
Under the ACT's plan, three occupations are closed to skilled migrants - hotel and motel manager, journalist and economist - and 14 are classified as limited.
A spokesman for the minister said the program would make Canberra more attractive to prospective skilled migrants. ''The ACT's State Migration Plan received its first inquiries within three minutes of the media release being issued this afternoon,'' he said.
''The average processing time for visas is between six and nine months. Under the SMP, the ACT has been allocated 725 primary sponsorships [the applicants] and can take a total of 1740, which includes the dependants of the primary applicants.''
Source:http://www.canberratimes.com.au
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List
Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List
The Victorian Government State Sponsorship Eligibility List identifies the migration occupations which are currently in state-wide demand in Victoria, Australia. Professionals and tradespeople with an occupation on this list may be eligible to apply for free state sponsorship in Victoria for the Skilled – Sponsored (176) visa or the Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visa.
View State Sponsorship Eligibility List
Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates
The Victorian Government State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates records the occupations for which the Victorian Government will consider applications for visa sponsorship under the Skilled – Sponsored (886) visa. This list is intended for eligible international students and graduates who want to take advantage of the career and lifestyle opportunities Victoria has to offer.
View Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates
The Victorian Government State Sponsorship Eligibility List identifies the migration occupations which are currently in state-wide demand in Victoria, Australia. Professionals and tradespeople with an occupation on this list may be eligible to apply for free state sponsorship in Victoria for the Skilled – Sponsored (176) visa or the Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visa.
View State Sponsorship Eligibility List
Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates
The Victorian Government State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates records the occupations for which the Victorian Government will consider applications for visa sponsorship under the Skilled – Sponsored (886) visa. This list is intended for eligible international students and graduates who want to take advantage of the career and lifestyle opportunities Victoria has to offer.
View Victoria State Sponsorship Eligibility List for Graduates
Victoria State Migration Plan Signed
The Australian Government recently introduced changes to the skilled state sponsored visa scheme.
The Victorian Government now has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, concerning the state sponsorship of skilled migrants to Victoria under the Skilled - Sponsored (176 and 886) and Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. This agreement is called the State Migration Plan.
Applications for Victorian Government state sponsorship will open under the State Migration Plan on 3 November 2010.
Under the agreement, the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year.
For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.
To inform you when the limit has been reached for an occupation, advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation.
For a list of occupations eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship consideration, see the Eligibility Lists.
The Victorian Government now has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, concerning the state sponsorship of skilled migrants to Victoria under the Skilled - Sponsored (176 and 886) and Skilled - Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. This agreement is called the State Migration Plan.
Applications for Victorian Government state sponsorship will open under the State Migration Plan on 3 November 2010.
Under the agreement, the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year.
For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.
To inform you when the limit has been reached for an occupation, advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation.
For a list of occupations eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship consideration, see the Eligibility Lists.
Victoria publish state migration plan for immigration to Australia
The Australian Government recently introduced changes to the skilled state sponsored visa scheme.
The Victorian Government now has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, concerning the state sponsorship of skilled migrants to Victoria under the Skilled – Sponsored (176 and 886) and Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. This agreement is called the State Migration Plan.
Applications for Victorian Government state sponsorship will open under the State Migration Plan on 3 November 2010.
Under the agreement, the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year.
For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.
To inform you when the limit has been reached for an occupation, advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation.
For a list of occupations eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship consideration, see the Eligibility Lists. Alternatively, you can get your tickets now for our Down Under Live events in 2011 and come and see what jobs and opportunities exist for a new life in Australia.
Source:http://www.australiamagazine.co.uk/?p=715
The Victorian Government now has a formal agreement with the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship, concerning the state sponsorship of skilled migrants to Victoria under the Skilled – Sponsored (176 and 886) and Skilled – Regional Sponsored (475 and 487) visas. This agreement is called the State Migration Plan.
Applications for Victorian Government state sponsorship will open under the State Migration Plan on 3 November 2010.
Under the agreement, the number of skilled migrants that the Victorian Government can sponsor against each occupation listed on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists is limited by a quota, and by an overall cap on the total number of applications that can be sponsored each year.
For 2010-11 Victoria’s cap is 4,500 visa grants, which includes primary and secondary applicants.
To inform you when the limit has been reached for an occupation, advice will be placed against the relevant occupation/s on the State Sponsorship Eligibility Lists stating that applications are not currently being accepted for that occupation.
For a list of occupations eligible for Victorian Government state sponsorship consideration, see the Eligibility Lists. Alternatively, you can get your tickets now for our Down Under Live events in 2011 and come and see what jobs and opportunities exist for a new life in Australia.
Source:http://www.australiamagazine.co.uk/?p=715
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