Changes due from Government Budget

On the 12th May 2009 the latest Australian Budget was announced by Mr Wayne Swan. The following is a quote received the following day.

“The worst deficit in modern history and the worst in most of our lifetimes was announced tonight by Treasurer Wayne Swan. $57.6 Billion deficit is massive given that only 18 months ago the country had a $22.0 Billion surplus when Kevin Rudd took the office of Prime Minister of Australia.”

Obviously, the Australian Government must rein in spending in any way possible, as well as cut back on those Emigrating to Australia, mainly in the Skilled sector, as those already in Australia are being laid off, whether they are Emigrants or Australian Citizens.

I have mentioned in previous articles, there is always going to be an intake of skilled workers along with the other sectors of Immigration, due to the fact that there are always going to be those who chose to leave Australian shores, either Temporarily or Permanently, from both areas of Australian Citizens or Emigrants, thus draining Australia to some extent of Skilled workers.

The Australian Economy is considered by many to be one of the most robust in the World currently and will therefore be one of the first to recover. This could be as near as 12-18 months from now.

Those who are currently applying for a skilled visa will be placing themselves at the front of the queue, once their visa is granted, to take up the opportunities which will present themselves as the Economy turns around.

Until this occurs, the Australian Government and more specifically, the Department of Immigration are having to slow the intake of Emigrants to our shores, and the following was announced in the 2009 Budget speech.

· The Migration Program will total 168,700 places for 2009-10

· The Federal Government’s 2009 Budget has made a further cut to the permanent skilled migration intake to 108,000 places for the 2009-10 program (a 20% reduction to the previous budget)

· The reduction will be achieved largely through cutbacks in the General Skilled Category

· A job-readiness test will be introduced for onshore skilled applicants

· The Government will be increasing the English language requirement for trades occupation to IELTS 6 from 1 July 2009 for offshore applicants and 1 January 2010 for onshore applicants

· There will be fewer visas granted to trade level occupations

· There will be an increase in family migration places to 60,300, including addition 2500 for partners, 1000 for contributory parents and 300 for child visas

· Increased humanitarian Program to 13,750 (7750 Special Humanitarian and 6000 refugee)

· Increased funding to improve detention centres

· DIAC staff reductions

Increased costs for DIAC to establish the new Office of the MARA

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