A new migration strategy has been released by the Australian Government

??♂? Hello LinkedIn Community,

We're thrilled to share groundbreaking news about the Albanese Government's significant strides in reforming Australia's migration system. In collaboration with the Hon Clare O'Neil MP, the Hon Brendan O'Connor MP, and the Hon Jason Clare MP, the government is initiating the most extensive migration reforms in a generation.

?? Background

A comprehensive review led by Dr Martin Parkinson revealed the intentional neglect of the migration system, deeming it "so badly broken" that a "10-year rebuild" is necessary. The Albanese Government is committed to addressing this issue and has crafted a Migration Strategy aligned with the findings of the Parkinson Review.

? Key Objectives

The Migration Strategy revolves around five key objectives:

1. Raising living standards: Boosting productivity, addressing skills shortages, and supporting exports.
2. Ensuring a fair workplace: Complementing domestic workers' jobs, wages, and conditions to prevent migrant worker exploitation.
3. Building stronger communities: Planning for sustainable migration and providing migrants the opportunity to invest in their lives through permanent residence and citizenship.
4. Strengthening international relationships: Developing stronger economic and social connections with regional neighbors and international partners.
5. Making the system work: Ensuring a fast, efficient, and fair process for migrants and employers.

?? A Three-Phase Approach

• Affordable housing through the Housing Australia FutureFund
• Unclogging the $120 billion infrastructure pipeline
• Bringing migration to sustainable, normal levels

?? Australia's Migration Strategy offers three pathways for the Skills in Demand Visa:

1) Specialist Skills Pathway:

? Designed for highly skilled migrants.

? No specific occupation list, but excludes trades, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers.

? Quick 7-day visa processing.

? Requires a minimum salary of $135,000 (Specialist Skills Threshold).

2) Core Skills Pathway:

? Main route for temporary skilled migrants, including trades workers, machinery operators, drivers, and laborers.

? Requires occupation from the new Core Skills Occupation List.

? Salary must meet or exceed the TSMIT ($70,000).

3) Essential Skills Pathway:

? Geared towards lower-paid workers with essential skills (salary under $70,000).

? Limited to specific sectors like Aged care and Disability.

? Additional details for this pathway are yet to be implemented.

?? Increased English Language Requirements for International Students

Starting in early 2024, the Government will raise the English language requirements for international students applying for Student and Temporary Graduate visas. The key changes include:

? The required International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from 6.0 to 6.5.

? The IELTS score required for a Student visa will be raised from 5.5 to 6.0.

? For students enrolled in an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main course, the required IELTS score will go up from 4.5 to 5.0.

? Students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs with reputable English language training will need to achieve an IELTS score of 5.5 (or equivalent).

?? Priority Processing for Regional Visas

The government is prioritizing visa processing for migrants sponsored by employers in regional Australia. Ministerial Direction 100 will be modified to make this a top priority, aiming to streamline the process for businesses in regional areas sponsoring skilled workers.

?? Reformed Points Test Overview

The existing points test for selecting independent skilled migrants in Australia is deemed complex and insufficient in attracting individuals who can truly contribute to the nation's long-term prosperity. The current system incorporates factors like regional study and community language skills, which are poor predictors of success in the labor market. Additionally, it fails to adequately account for age and skill trade-offs, crucial indicators of migrant success, and fiscal impact.

1. Secondary Applicant Skills Emphasis: The Grattan Institute suggests a need for greater consideration of secondary applicant skills. The reformed points test will recalibrate points for various migrant characteristics, aligning them with the actual contribution these attributes make to the welfare of the Australian community.
2. Graduate Recognition in Skilled Jobs: The reformed points test aims to prioritize skill level over perseverance. This translates to faster pathways for international student graduates employed in skilled positions, while fewer opportunities will be available for those not engaged in skilled jobs.
3. Age, Experience, and Education Re-Balancing: Treasury estimates indicate the need for a balanced approach to age, experience, and education. The reformed points test will consider the lifetime fiscal impact, recognizing that older migrants with high-level skills can still deliver substantial economic benefits to the nation over their remaining working years.

?? Government's Commitment: The Government plans to release a discussion paper in 2023 outlining the proposed redesign of the points test, inviting public input and consultations. The reforms will also address the impact on State/Territory nominated and Regional visas, given these are points-tested visa programs.

??♂? Implications for Workers and Businesses

For workers, both local and migrant, the strategy means enhanced protections for wages and working conditions. For businesses, it translates to acquiring the necessary skills for growth, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare, the net zero transition, and the digital economy.

?? Community Impact

For all Australians, the strategy promises a better-planned migration system that aims to strengthen local communities and improve living standards.

?? Consultative Approach

Built on consensus-building reforms from the Jobs and Skills Summit, the Migration Strategy is endorsed by businesses and unions. It is a well-informed plan backed by extensive consultation and over 450 submissions received as part of the Migration Review.

?? Aligning with National Goals

This Strategy is an integral part of the government's broader ambition to enhance Australia's employment, education, and skill-training sectors, as outlined in the Employment White Paper.

? Rectifying Past Mismanagement

The Albanese Government is determined to rectify the legacy of mismanagement, including addressing overwhelming visa backlogs, shortcomings in international education, and widespread visa system abuses.

?? Ministers' Quotes:

• Clare O’Neil (Home Affairs): Bold plan to get migration working for all Australians, protecting wages and conditions.
• Brendan O’Connor (Skills & Training): Emphasizing fairness and inclusion, working to reform the vocational education sector.
• Jason Clare (Education): Recognizing the importance of international education, and safeguarding students from exploitation.
• Andrew Giles (Immigration): Tripartite approach for growth and fairness, delivering on the commitment to stamp out migrant worker exploitation.

?? Their Mission

Their mission is clear: to build a migration system that earns the trust and confidence of their citizens and secures a safe and prosperous future for every Australian.

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