Immigration

Immigration levels are to be cut by fourteen percent, with building workers and manufacturing workers earmarked to bear the brunt of the cuts. It will be the first cut to the skilled migration program in more than a decade and will reduce numbers from 133,500 to 115,000 by June 30.

2008 saw Australia’s population rise at its fastest rate since 1989. While Victoria had the largest number of new arrivals, people moving within Australia favoured Queensland and Western Australia over the other states.

A review of terms for Australia’s 457 visa has recommended migrant workers get the same pay and conditions as Australian workers and urges employers to cover their insurance and health care costs.

If the global economic crisis pushes unemployment higher – as it seems certain it will – Australia’s immigration program has been earmarked for cuts. Australia’s Immigration Minister Chris Evans is waiting for next month’s mid-year economic report before making a final decision.

Australia’s Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has indicated there might be a reduction in places in the country’s skilled immigration program. Mr Rudd said current numbers are higher than last year’s and the increase had been made on the basis of employer demands for more skilled workers.

The skills shortage in New South Wales, Australia could be alleviated if the State Government stopped charging temporary residents $5000 for each child they enrolled in a public school, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
Mervyn Bryant, the managing director of Lismore Diesel Service, said that after an Australia-wide search for a tradesman he finally found one [...]

Australia has unveiled details of a new citizenship test for immigrants. They will be asked questions about history, institutions and culture – as well as committing to Australian social values focusing on “mateship”.
Twenty sample questions were unveiled by the federal government yesterday which included “what is the floral emblem of Australia?” and “who is [...]