| Skilled
Migration
The Skilled Stream of
Australia's Migration (non-humanitarian) Program is
specifically designed to target migrants who have skills
or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the
Australian economy.
The Australian Government
continues to emphasise skilled migration, while maintaining
a commitment to family reunion migration. The migration
to Australia of people with qualifications and relevant
work experience addresses specific skill shortages in
Australia and enhances the size, skill level and 'employability'
factor of the Australian labour force.
In recent years, the
overall skill level of migrants entering Australia has
been increasing. In 2000-01, nearly 90 per cent of Independent
Skilled principal applicants scored the maximum points
for skill. In the same period, more than 50 per cent
had Australian qualifications and more than 55 per cent
were in occupations in national shortage.
Skilled
Stream categories
There are five main categories of skilled migrants:
-
Independent
migrants
Independent migrants are selected
on the basis of their education, skills and work
experience, and their potential to contribute quickly
to the Australian economy. They are not sponsored
by an employer or relative in Australia. This group
forms the largest contingent of skilled migrants
each year. For example, in 2000-01, over 55 per
cent of Skilled Stream arrivals (14 234 people)
were Independent migrants.
|
State/Territory
scheme
The State/Territory Nominated
Independent (STNI) Scheme enables State and
Territory Governments to sponsor skilled migrants
and their families in the Independent skilled
category. |
| |
The
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) allows Australian
employers to recruit, on a permanent basis, 'highly
skilled' positions with non-Australian citizens,
where they have been unable to fill a vacancy
from the Australian labour market or through their
own training programs. |
| |
The Regional
Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) enables Australian
employers in regional or low-growth areas to fill
'skilled' positions, on a permanent basis, with
non-Australian citizens, where they have been
unable to fill a vacancy from the Australian labour
market or through their own training programs.
The RSMS is one
of several Government initiatives designed to
help State and Territory Governments in their
efforts boost development in regional Australia
and less populated states/territories. |
| |
A Labour Agreement,
enables Australian employers to recruit a specified
number of workers from overseas in response to
identified or emerging labour market (or skill)
shortages. This is a formal arrangement negotiated
between the Commonwealth Government and the employer
or industrial association.
In 2001-02, 9307 permanent residence visas were
granted for Employer Nomination, RSMS and Labour
Agreements, compared with 7420 in 2000-01. |
-
Business
Skills migration
The Business Skills program
encourages successful business people to settle
permanently in Australia and develop new business
opportunities. In 2000-01,
7364 business migration visas were granted to business
people and their families. This compares with over
6260 visas issued in 1999-00 and 6080 visas issued
in 1998-99.
-
Distinguished
talent
This is a small category for
distinguished individuals with special or unique
talents of benefit to Australia. The profile of
people who have been successful under this category
generally include sports people, musicians, artists
and designers, all of whom were internationally
recognised as outstanding in their field. In 2001-02,
208 visas (including family members) were granted
under this category.
-
Skilled
- Australian sponsored
Skilled - Australian Sponsored category migrants
are selected on the basis of their skills, age,
English-language ability and family relationship.
They must be sponsored by a relative already living
in Australia.
Student's Migration under this
category:
Students who complete
a course of two years full-time study in Australia may
apply for Australian permanent residency under the Skille
Migration Program.
The Skilled Migration
Program targets young people who have skills, an education
and outstanding abilities that will contribute to the
Australian economy. International students with Australian
qualifications account for about half the people assessed
under the skilled migrant programme. The number of places
for skilled migrants increased recently due to the success
in attracting graduates in high demand occupations such
information technology, nursing and accounting. Points
are awarded to applicants with Australian qualifications.
To apply in this category, you must:
- satisfy the basic
requirements;
- satisfy other requirements according to
visa
categories;
- pass the points
test.
Overview
| Business
Migration |
Family
Migration
| Other
Visas
|
