CANBERRA, 11 December 2023: The Albanese Labor government today launched its ‘Migration Strategy’ to refurnish post Covid Australia’s migration surge and embed it with emphasis on overcoming skill shortages. The ten years plan in 100 pages targets temporary skilled migration to address skill needs, reshaping permanent skilled migration, strengthening the integrity and quality of international education, curbing worker exploitation and misuse of the visa system, to get right skills, tailoring regional visas, making the migration system simple, and deepening people to people ties in the Indo-Pacific.
In a joint media release Hon Clare O’Neil MP with Hon Brendan O’connor MP, the Hon Jason Clare MP, and the Hon Andrew Giles MP says:
“A once-in-a-generation review into the migration system led by Dr Martin Parkinson found it was a deliberate decision to neglect the system” and that it was “so badly broken” it required a “10-year rebuild”.
The Albanese Government is determined to fix this. The comprehensive plan reflects the findings of the Parkinson Review, and has five key objectives:
Raising living standards by boosting productivity, meeting skills shortages and supporting exports Ensuring a fair go in the workplace by complementing the jobs, wages and conditions of domestic workers and preventing migrant worker exploitation
Building stronger communities by better planning for sustainable migration, and giving migrants the opportunity to invest in their lives in Australia through permanent residence and citizenship
Strengthening international relationships by building stronger economic and social connections with our regional neighbours and international partners
Making the system work by being fast, efficient and fair for migrants and employers.”
Addressing a nationally televised media conference Minister Hon Clare O’Neil MP and others said the strategy was fixing the mess which is the legacy of ten years of neglect. It will return migration to sustainable levels of the pre-Covid era, the Minister said.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles said, “A strong tripartite approach has informed the Migration Strategy, working with the business community and union movement to secure growth and fairness. This approach will continue as these reforms are implemented and further change is considered.
Some takeaways from the strategy:
1. Rising bar for overseas students overhauling the English language system, i.e., Score 6.5 instead of 6.0, for graduate visa application 6.5 instead of 6.0, and student visas 6.00 up from 5.5.
2. A new ‘genuine student test’ with focus that a student comes for education only.
3. A specialist skills pathway with minimum earnings of $ 135,000.
MIGRATION STRATEGY – ALL DOCUMENTS.
The report will be updated as and when required.
