Howard's door open to skilled migrants

Contrary to public perceptions, the Howard Government has proven to be the most pro-immigration government in over thirty years.

It has substantially increased the immigration intake.  It has also put in place a number of reforms which will increase public support for the immigration programme and assist immigrants assimilating to their new country.

Since the Howard Government came to power in 1996, the net annual immigrant intake from all programmes increased from 73,900 to a planned level of 120,000 in 2004.  This represents an increase of over 60 per cent.

Indeed, more migrants have come to Australia over the last eight years than during the first eight years of the Hawke Government and during the years of the Fraser Government.

Importantly, virtually all the increase in the migrants intake has been in the skilled components.  While the Family Reunion intake was reduced during the late 1990's, it is currently back to the level of around 40,000 per annum -- the level experienced during the Keating years.  During the Howard period, the skilled migrant intake increased from 27,550 in 1997 to 77,100 in 2004 representing growth of 280 per cent.

The relative shift to skilled migrants has meant that average age of migrants has declined, average level of government financial support for migrants has declined and employment rate of migrant and ability to speak English has increased.  It also has meant that the average migrant has been able make a greater immediate contribution to the economy, not only by working and not drawing on government support, but by creating new businesses, buying and furnishing a home and filling the countries growing skills shortages.

Over the last eight years there has been a sharp increase in the number of Australians moving overseas on a permanent or long term basis.  For example, permanent departures stood at 60,000 in 2004, most being highly skilled.  The increase in skilled migrants has played an essential role in replacing people lost.

One of the more interesting innovations has been the state-specific and regional migration initiatives.  The aim of these programmes has been to address a major complaint against high migrant intake which is the tendency of new migrants to settle in Sydney and Melbourne.  These programmes give additional preferences to skilled migration applicants who agree to locate in rural and regional areas.  These programmes have so far proven to be quite successful and accounted for just under 13,000 migrants in 2004.  Interestingly, rural and regional Victoria has absorbed over half the migrants coming under these schemes.

While the UK and New Zealand are still the two largest sources of migrants, China, India, South Africa and the ASEAN countries account for a growing proportion of migrants.  Indeed, in Victoria, India is now the main source-country for migrants and China accounts for as many migrants to the state as New Zealand.

In short, Howard has quietly and diligently putting in place an immigration policy that is large, well targeted and sustainable.

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