Australian Government to reassess permanent skilled migration rules

The Productivity Commission has proposed changes in a report to the Australian Government, which could significantly change the way Australia chooses its migrant intake.


Some of the major recommendations include reducing the age limit for skilled applicants wanting permanent residence, and providing more points for the skills and traits of secondary adult applicants.


Here are the main recommendations proposed by The Productivity Commission:


Reduce the age limit

• Reduce the current age limit of 50 years old for permanent migration under the skill stream, while retaining exemptions to the age rule for particularly skilled applicants.
• Younger visa applicants to receive greater weighting in the points-based system.

Use of the Skilled Occupation List for all permanent migration applications

• The Productivity Commission stated the Skilled Occupation List (SOL) should be used to determine skill requirements in all cases, including different streams of the permanent skilled and those transitioning from a temporary visa
• Undertake a pilot scheme that acknowledges skills which may not be occupationally specific, and more closely assesses occupations that are difficult to allocate to a certain skill level.

Changes to the points-tested system

• Maximum extra points to be given in cases where no secondary applicants are included
• More points to be provided based on the skills and traits of secondary adult applicants
• Use of the points system for the entire permanent skill stream, with points to be gained for employer-sponsored visa applications. Currently, the selection criteria is different for skilled migrant intake and ’employer-sponsored’ applicants.

Secondary applicants to undertake more assessments

• Partners and adult children to be assessed on their English ability, work skills, age and education in addition to current assessments.

The Department of Immigration and Border Protection told SBS the government was considering the Productivity Commission’s recommendations and would respond “in due course.”


SOURCE: SBS


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