Skilled foreign workers will live and work in regional Australia following the changes to Morrison government’s annual migration intake.
Following the increase in local places to 25,000, the specified areas will receive 2,000 more skilled foreign workers to share in the job, business, and cultural opportunities linked to a robust international student population.
Skilled foreign workers in Australia
International education makes up a more significant percentage of skilled foreign workers in Australia.
In 2018, 690,000 international students in Australia contributed $35 billion to the economy, but only 3 percent of the population enrolled in regional areas.
The international students in regional Australia rate their living and learning experience higher than students based in metropolitan centers.
Also, the population in major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane have led to congestion and pressure on vital services in the cities.
Following the population density in the cities, regional Australia will have priority with international university graduates who are eligible to apply for more time in Australia on a post-study work visa.
Promotion of skilled migration measures
With this plan, regional outreach officers will promote skilled migration measures and local employers, so they benefit from skilled foreign workers.
The nation’s permanent migration cap was previously reduced to 160,000 following calls from the Coalition backbench to curb immigration levels, but 23,000 places are available for regional visas.
The changes to Morrison government’s annual migration intake will come into effect on November 16, and Perth and the Gold Coast will receive more skilled foreign workers as they are no longer classified as major cities.
These changes are measures to check the Australian population growth. The Australian Bureau of Statistics predicted Australia’s population would increase by 2.5 million, but it grew by 5 million in that time in 2002.
