Output group 1.1 Migration and temporary entry
Many British migrants in the 1950s worked at the Yallourn Power Station in Victoria
Overview
This group has seven outputs:
1.1.3 Visitors and working holiday makers
1.1.5 Temporary residents (economic)
1.1.6 Temporary residents (non-economic)
There are two administered items under this output:
- Joint Commonwealth, State and Territory Research Program (for payment to the Australian Population, Multicultural and Immigration Research Program)
- Special appropriation: Statutory self-regulation of migration agents.
Highlights
Migration Program
The Migration Program planning levels were met, with 171 318 people granted migration visas—67 per cent under the Skill Stream, 32.9 per cent under the Family Stream and 0.1 per cent under the special eligibility component.
The Skill Stream planning level in 2008–09 was cut from 133 500 places to 115 000 places in mid-March 2009 in response to the global economic situation. From 1 January 2009 priority processing was given to employer and state/territory-sponsored visas and to applications from people with occupations in critical demand.
The number of employer sponsored visas continued to increase, rising by 60 per cent in 2008–09 to 38 026. The outcome for visas granted under the suite of visas known as state specific and regional migration visas was 33 474 or 29.2 per cent of the overall Skill Stream.
Introduction of Critical Skills List
The government established a new Critical Skills List (CSL) on 1 January 2009 to ensure that applicants with skills assessed as being in critical shortage would be given priority. In consultation with state and territory governments, employers and unions, the CSL identifies occupations which are in demand despite the economic downturn. The list is reviewed regularly and has been updated once since its inception.
Temporary skilled migration
On 1 April 2009, the government announced a series of key reforms to the temporary skilled migration program (subclass 457 visa). The reforms, which are being implemented progressively, include a requirement that overseas workers be paid at market salary rates.
In 2008–09, 101 280 subclass 457 visas were granted, which is more than 8 per cent lower than the previous year.
The program has responded quickly to changes in the labour market. In September 2008, application rates were 28 per cent higher than in September 2007.
However in June 2009, the number of subclass 457 applications lodged was 40 per cent lower than those lodged in September 2008 when the global economic crisis began. This reduction in applications was most pronounced in trade occupations, which were 64 percent lower and semi-skilled occupations, which were 97 per cent lower.
The subclass 457 visa continues to be a significant pathway to permanent residence. In the 2008–09 program year, 39 170 subclass 457 visa holders were granted permanent residence.
Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme
On 17 August 2008, the Australian Government announced a three-year Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme. This is a significant new initiative reflecting Australia's commitment to a new era of cooperation and engagement with Pacific Island countries. The department has been involved in a whole-of-government effort, led by the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, to implement this initiative.
Four countries were invited to take part in the pilot—Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Tonga and Vanuatu. The first group of 50 workers from Tonga arrived in February 2009, followed by six workers from Vanuatu. Employers were very pleased with the workers' performance, and the workers settled well into Australian communities.
Students
During 2008–09, the department finalised a record total of 356 251 student visa applications, about 18.3 per cent higher than the previous year.
More than 72.7 per cent (258 933) of the total finalisations this year were offshore and the remaining 27.3 per cent (97 318) were onshore.
The number of student visa applications lodged online also grew strongly. There was a total of 188 150 student visa applications lodged online, which represents an increase of 34.3 per cent over 2007–08. The take up rate for online lodgement also increased from 46.3 per cent in 2007–08 to 51.9 per cent in 2008-09.
Establishment of the Office of the MARA
During 2008–09, the department coordinated arrangements to transfer the Migration Agents Registration Authority (MARA) function to the newly established Office of the MARA from 1 July 2009.
This work included supporting the establishment of the Office of the MARA as a discrete office attached to the department and progressing necessary legislative, policy and administrative changes as recommended in the 2007–08 Review of Statutory Self-Regulation of the Migration Advice Profession report.
The department has an ongoing role to develop and implement policies and regulations to support the regulation of migration agents so that agents can provide departmental clients with high quality immigration assistance.
Research and publications
In 2008–09, the department commissioned Professor Peter McDonald, Director of the Australian Demographic and Social Research Institute, Australian National University, to model the most effective long-term average levels of net overseas migration and their relative impacts on our labour force and economy. This modelling research established that a long-term average band of net overseas migration of between 150 000 and 230 000 per year would be the level providing the greatest contribution to labour force growth and thus Gross Domestic Product per capita.
This research now forms the basis for further development of a long-term immigration planning framework. A copy of the report of this research is available on the department's website.
Further research has also been commissioned by the department on the long-term physical implications of various levels of net overseas migration. This research should be completed in 2009–10.
