DIMA Annual Report 1996-97

Secretary's Review - Migration Program

In July 1996, the Government announced a reduction in the Migration Program from 82 500 places in 1995–96 to 74 000 places in 1996–97. At the same time, the size of the Skilled stream was increased from about 29 per cent of the intake in 1995–95 to some 38 per cent in 1996–97. The program was delivered on target with 24 000 people in the Skill stream and 44 700 people in the Family stream.

The shift in focus towards skilled entry and reduction in overall numbers resulted in significant excess demand for places in the Family stream — this had previously been 'demand driven' other than for Concessional Family. Accordingly, close attention had to be given to reviewing legal and management options for delivering the program. For the first time, the 'cap and queue' mechanism (see sub-program 1.2) was used in other parts of the Family program. On 12 December 1996, the Minister also issued a new General Direction for migration officers providing guidance on processing priorities to be applied in the Preferential Family category.

The Government also decided in the 1996–97 Budget context to provide for more rigorous assessment of applications involving spouses, prospective spouses or other dependants. These measures included:

• increasing interview rates onshore and offshore. High-risk posts overseas have increased the rate of interviews from about 35 per cent to about 60 per cent;
• interviewing all de facto spouse and interdependent applicants; and
• increasing follow-up interviews and field investigations and completing a greater number of documentation checks.

The impact of these measures will not be felt fully until all the resources have worked their way through in 1997–98 and beyond. In the early stages of these initiatives, high-risk posts are reporting an increase in the refusal rate for spouse applications from six per cent (1995–96) to approximately 14 per cent (1996–97). Onshore, the refusal rate has increased from approximately four per cent to approximately six per cent. The refusal rate for prospective marriage applications has more than doubled to 34 per cent.

In May 1997, the Government announced further program reductions, with a continued emphasis on the Skilled stream. The 1997–98 Migration Program has been set at 68 000 places, of which 53 per cent is in the Skilled stream. This involves the creation in the Skills stream of the new Skilled — Australian Linked (SAL) category, which derives from the former Concessional Family category but with more stringent criteria.

In addition, the May 1996 Budget announced the establishment of business units in key State offices. These are to begin operation in July 1997 to enhance service to business, providing a one-stop shop. This is accompanied by an increase in the application fee for business migrants from $2 465 to $3 040.

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