Australia's National Local Government Newspaper Online

Migration and economic development - an important link

Australia is a nation of immigrants. Migrants from all parts of the world have been, and continue to be at the heart of building Australia as a strong and robust economy. Migrants contribute to the economic development of Australia in many ways including through: job creation; filling skill shortages; creation of business opportunities and business expansion; direct investment in the Australian economy; and they often bring new ideas, technologies and skills with them, which all help Australia to develop a competitive edge in the economic sector.

The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) has a range of programs designed to help Australian businesses and employers to bring in skilled personnel from overseas and to encourage overseas people to establish a business in Australia or undertake business activities here.

Australia's Migration Program plays a pivotal role in the economic development of Australia.

The Skill Stream of Australia's Migration Program is specifically designed to target migrants who have skills or outstanding abilities that will contribute to the growth of the Australian economy. Over 40,000 people will receive visas in this Stream in 2000-01.

The Temporary Entry Program allows people from overseas to come to Australia on a temporary basis for specific purposes (including business) which result in some benefit to Australia.

Streamlined arrangements allowing the temporary entry of skilled workers for up to four years were introduced in 1996.

These arrangements allow Australian employers to recruit skilled workers to carry out key activities in Australia. Over 35,000 visa grants are likely in 2000-01. There are no limits.

The new sponsored visitor visa class (introduced on 1 July 2000) includes two new visas for short-stay visits to Australia: the Sponsored Family Visitor visa (for people visiting family members in Australia); and the Sponsored Business Visitor (for people visiting Australia on business).

This class is designed to enable the entry of more family and business visitors whilst at the same time reducing the non-return rate of these visitors. For both visas a sponsor can be an elected government representative, a government agency or a local government mayor. For the Sponsored Family Visitor visa, sponsors can also include a close relative of the applicant.

Skilled and business migrants have a positive influence on the economy, on employment and on Australia's Budget.

Skilled migrants can fill skill shortages, pass on skills and knowledge and generate additional employment opportunities. Business migrants bring capital for investment, create employment and help establish international business networks.

Labour Agreements, Regional Headquarters Agreements and the Employer Nomination Scheme

These are major initiatives that assist business to obtain skilled personnel from overseas.

Labour Agreements enable Australian employers to recruit a specified number of workers from overseas to fill identified or emerging labour market or skills shortages in Australia on either a temporary or a permanent basis.

Employers or industry associations are required to make commitments to the employment, education, training and career opportunities of Australians as part of the agreement.

Regional Headquarters Agreements encourage companies to establish regional headquarters in Australia, providing incentives from Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, as well as streamlined immigration processing for key personnel.

More than 100 companies have now taken advantage of the streamlined immigration process.

The Employer Nomination Scheme and the Sponsored Temporary Residence Program allow employers to sponsor skilled workers from overseas on a permanent or temporary basis where they can demonstrate they have been unable to fill a vacancy from the Australian labour market or through training or to carry out key activities.

Business Skills Entry

International business people wanting to come to Australia for business can choose the most appropriate visa for their business needs. Australia's business visa arrangements are designed to cover:

• Short business visits - Business (Short Stay) visa;
• Longer business trips - Business (Long Stay) visa;
• Setting up Regional Headquarters in Australia (see above); or
• Settling permanently in Australia, particularly in the regions.

State Specific Migration Mechanisms and Regional Economic Development

DIMA works in partnership with State and Local Government to boost regional development in Australia. A number of initiatives have been developed in consultation with State and Territory Governments to:

• help employers find suitable skilled workers when their job vacancies can't be filled locally;
• encourage people with business skills to consider starting a business outside of major cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Perth;
• give State and Territory Governments influence over the volume and type of skilled and business migrants settling in their jurisdictions; and
• attract skilled people from overseas to settle in less populated areas.

Working together, these initiatives will provide direct economic benefits to regional Australia through addressing skill shortages and through business development and expansion. Numbers coming under these initiatives are now in the order of 3,000 to 4,000 each year, three times the number three years ago.

Are businesses in your region able to find suitable skilled workers?

• The Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) is for regional employers wishing to recruit overseas personnel, whether they are in Australia or still overseas. Applicants can be nominated by an employer to fill a specific skilled position that cannot readily be filled from the local labour market.
• The Skill Matching Database is a valuable resource for employers and State and Territory Governments. The database is designed to link skilled migrants with specific skilled vacancies or skill shortages in Australia. It contains the occupational and personal details of prospective migrants interested in settling in regional Australia. These details are available to State and Territory Governments and a number of regional development agencies. They assist employers to find the skilled people they need. A summary version of the Skill Matching Database is available on the DIMA Internet site at: www.immi.gov.au/skills/skills.html.
• Under the State and Territory Nominated Independent (STNI) scheme, State and Territory Governments can nominate skilled migrants willing to settle in States and Territories where their skills are in demand. These migrants must be under 45 and have good English language skills.

Are relatives able to sponsor skilled family members to live in regional Australia?

Yes. The Skilled-Regional Sponsored category is for people who want to sponsor skilled relatives. People already living in regional Australia can sponsor brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, non dependant children, working aged parents, first cousins and grandchildren. The sponsor must have lived in regional Australia for at least 12 months. The applicant must have a post secondary qualification, be under 45 years of age and have good English language skills.

Is your community interested in business development and expansion?

• The Business Skills Class of migration includes the Regional Established Business in Australia (REBA) category. It allows people temporarily in Australia on Business (Long Stay) visas to apply for permanent residence if they have successfully established and actively managed for two years a business in a designated area of Australia. The aim of this category is to promote a better dispersal of business migrants throughout Australia in recognition of the economic benefit they bring.
• On 1 November 2000, the REBA category was amended to provide greater flexibility in the application of the Business Skills points test. The amendment allows the sponsoring State or Territory government to put forward exceptional circumstances why an applicant should not have to meet the pass mark of the Business Skills points test.
• There is also provision for State and Territory sponsorship of Business Skills applicants applying as Business Owners or Senior Executives. If a State or Territory Government wants to encourage a particular business or person to settle in Australia, they can offer to sponsor a person under the Business Skills Class. State/Territory sponsorship under the Business Skills Class attracts visa concessions for the applicant, including additional points under the points test.

For further information, contact any of the DIMA Business Centres located in all State and Territory Capital Cities in Australia.

For detailed information about business and skilled migration, check the DIMA business homepage at www.immi.gov.au

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