StirlingHenry

May 2011 - Australian Corporate Immigration Newsletter

The Australian Federal Government has recently announced several corporate immigration initiatives to assist with current skill shortages across the economy.

• Increase in Migration Program Numbers
• Regional Migration Programs
• Additional Funding to Increase 457 Processing Efficiency
• New Enterprise Migration Agreements
• New Skilled Migrant Selection Model
• Increase in Government Lodgement Fees

Increase in Migration Program Numbers

The Government has announced for the 2012 fiscal year (1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012) an increase in permanent migration visas to 185,000 - an increase of 16,300 over the current fiscal year. The skill stream intake will increase to 125,850. The family stream will increase to 58,600.

A program table may be viewed by clicking here.

Regional Migration Programs

The Minister for Immigration has announced that 16,000 places will be allocated to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme during the 2012 fiscal year whilst also be afforded the Departments' highest processing priority. This is the first time the Federal Government has specifically allocated residency visas for regional areas.

The Minister has also announced the introduction of Regional Migration Agreements. Exact details of the program are yet to be announced. The Minister's Press Release on Regional Migration Agreement may be accessed here.

Additional Funding to Increase 457 Processing Efficiency

The Minister for Immigration has announced the establishment of a new 457 processing centre in Brisbane (in addition to the existing centres in Sydney, Melbourne and Perth) with the goal to deliver a 10 day median processing for decision ready applications.

New Enterprise Migration Agreements

The Federal Government has announced the introduction of Enterprise Migration Agreements (EMAs) designed to assist large scale resource projects. A large scale project will be defined as one having a capital expenditure of at least A$2 billion and a peak workforce of 1,500 workers.

The process to qualify is complex and professional advice is recommended. Please refer to the EMAs fact sheet here.

New Skilled Migrant Selection Model

The Australian Government is revamping the general skilled migration program with a new model expected to come into effect on 1 July 2012. The Minister for Immigration has advised:

'Under this model, the government will be able to select migrants like a business manages its workforce - selecting the best candidates, altering the skill composition of its workforce, and speeding up or slowing down recruitment as circumstances change.

To maximise its potential, input from business, industry and migration representatives is crucial, and my department will be conducting consultation throughout 2011 as it develops the details of this model.'

It is expected that the model will be an electronic system based upon a two-stage process. Prospective migrants will first submit an online Expression of Internet and subsequently may be invited to make a visa application. This is a very significant change from the current situation, as applicants for independent or state/territory sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.

Increase in Government Lodgement Fees

The Australian Government is increasing visa application fees for most categories by 15% on 1 July 2011. Details available here.

Conclusion

Should you have any queries please do not hesitate to contact your Australian immigration consultant by phone or email us at visas@stirlinghenry.com.

Stirling Henry Global Migration

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