Australia announces tighter migration criteria

Australia today unveiled a new points-based migration criteria that will lay higher focus on English proficiency and high-level qualifications rather than on vocational skills and experience, a move that could affect prospects of low-skilled Indian students seeking migration.

Immigration minister Chris Bowen said the new points test will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and high-level qualifications, and is designed to ensure no one factor guarantees migration.

"These changes to the points test are an important next step in the series of reforms to the skilled migration programme announced by the government in February this year," Bowen said, according to an official statement.

The new rules are aimed at toughening the rules of gaining permanent residency for overseas students with low quality qualifications. The new rules will encourage high skill workers and swap hair-dressing students with scientists.

"The reforms set the foundations for a skilled migration programme that will be responsive to our economic needs and continue to serve Australia's interests in the medium to long term," Bowen said.

The earlier system gave an advantage to low-skill occupations on the migration occupations in demand list, which was axed in February.

The new points test has been formulated following extensive public and stakeholder consultation, and research review.

The review found the existing points test led to a skewing of applications towards a small number of occupations and a growing pipeline of applicants waiting for a skilled migration visa.

A research paper floated in February had canvassed a possible end to the points bonus enjoyed by those with relatives in the country or with Australian qualifications.

However, the new test will continue to recognise the additional value that Australian education offers.

"The existing points test has not always led to outcomes consistent with the objectives of the skilled migration programme," Bowen said.

"For example, the current test puts an overseas student with a short-term vocational qualification and one year's work experience in Australia ahead of a Harvard educated environmental engineer with three years' relevant work experience.

"The new points test will ensure we select the best and brightest people from a large pool of potential migrants," he said.

The new points test will complement the new skilled occupation list, which came into effect on July 1 to deliver migrants with a mix of the skills and attributes needed to contribute productively in Australia.

The new system, experts say, will also move towards severing the link between Australia's education sector and migration.

A large number of students from countries like India had hitherto taken the route of admission in Australian universities and vocational institutes to gain permanent residency in the country.

The new points test is proposed to take effect from July 1 next year, subject to passage of supporting legislation through the parliament. It will apply to anyone lodging an application from July 1, 2011.

Besides emphsasing on English language and high level qualifications, the new system will also do away with the process of awarding points on the basis of occupation.

Currently applicants can obtain 50% of the pass mark just by nominating certain occupations. This move has dismayed the Restaurants and Caterers Association, which says that it will make it harder for them to fill the 5,000 vacant positions, ABC said.