Australia's New Skilled Migration Program

In the first week of July 2010, the Australian government announced some changes to its skilled migration program. The changes intend to extend the legal rights of immigrants in a better way and improve the country’s student inflows. The skilled migration program is developed for people who are not sponsored by their employers and have specific skills that pertain to specific occupations.

You may apply for this program, if you are proficient in English and hold recent skilled work experience or an Australian qualification. Further, the age limit for the skilled migration program is minimum of 18 years and maximum of 45 years. Also, the applicant must possess skills and qualifications for an occupation, listed on Australia's Skilled Occupation List (SOL).

Australian High Commission Clarifies Changes in Skilled Migration Program

Recent media reports stated that as per the new skilled migration program, around 15, 000 Indian students, might be forced to return. However, the Australian High Commission has issued statements to clarify such false reports. The Commission said that the changes are made only in the skilled migration program and not in student visa policy. It further, clarified that student visas permit people to study and stay in Australia, only for a fixed period. There is no guarantee of migration just because someone owns a student visa. Any reports suggesting otherwise, is misrepresentation of Australian policy.

The Commission also said that the changes in the skilled migration program are global and does not target any specific nation. Also, they have no connection with the number of attacks on Indians in Australia. It further, said such false reports tend to confuse and mislead the public. No students from any part of the world will be asked to return, before the completion of their course.

Further, the Australian government intends to provide every opportunity to the international students to fulfill their objectives. They can opt for completion of their course or move to another course of study. Also, if they intend to reside in Australia, to work after the completion of their studies, they may apply for a Temporary Skilled Graduate visa.