News

In recognition of the challenges that employers in regional Australia face to maintain and grow their businesses, in the 2011-12 Budget the Government has directed the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) to begin investigating the viability of a number of initiatives specifically targeted toward assisting regional Australia to manage these challenges.

The Federal Government has announced the Migration Program Planning Levels for 2011-2012, as part of its annual Federal budget. The 2011-12 Migration Program planning level is set at 185,000. This is an increase of 16,300 places from 2010-11 planning levels.

The government is proposing to introduce an initiative in 2011-2012 that will bring together employers, local and state government and unions to cooperate on addressing local labour needs.

The Department has indicated that there will be numerous changes to policy under the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS).

The Federal Government is contemplating a new migration scheme for semi-skilled workers to be employed on million-dollar mining and construction projects, according to the Sydney Morning Herald and Queensland’s Couriermail newspapers.

Prior to the implementation of a new points test for general skilled migration on 1 July 2011, the Minister for Immigration has announced the manner in which applications for 485 visas will be processed.