News
Australia: Intake number to be cut
Having sought to attract a record number of immigrants for the 2008/09 migration year, it seems almost certain that the Australian government will significantly look to reduce its intake target figure for the coming migration year.
The ongoing global economic crisis, from which Australia has not been immune, has forced the country's immigration minister, Christopher Evans, to concede that he expects the "numbers of our programme to drop next year as a result of the economic circumstances.
"It is fair to say that we expect the demand in the economy for labour to reduce. As it is a programme very much linked to the demand for labour, we expect to run a smaller programme," the minister added.
The immigrant intake target for the current migration year was set at 190,300. Should this target be met, then the previous annual new arrivals high of 185,099, set in 1969/70, will be beaten. However, expectations as to whether this target will be met are mixed.
While no actual figures for the 2009/10 migration have been mentioned yet, an official announcement is expected in the lead up to the Australian Budget in May.
It is likely that the Australian government will take a far more targeted approach to immigration in the coming years. In recent months increased emphasis has already been placed on attracting applicants with employer or state sponsorship, and those with skills listed on the Critical Skills List, which was implemented at the start of this year.
06 May 2009