The Australian government is seeking views and opinion on Australia’s 2019/20 migration program through its annual consultation process with the state, territories, business sector, key stakeholders and the public.
At present, Australia has had a set ceiling of accepting 190,000 migrants each financial year since 2012/13, with the commitment that no less than two-thirds of the total program will be made up of skilled migrants.
However, the rate of migrants has consistently fallen over the last five years.
In the 2017/18 financial year, Australia granted 162,417 permanent visas - the lowest amount in five years - as discussion turned toward the potential of settling migrants in regional areas instead of congested cities such as Sydney and Melbourne.
Scott Morrison at his first COAG meeting in Adelaide. Source: AAP
The focus of this year’s is to seek views on the rate, composition and distribution of immigrants to maximise the benefits of immigration for all Australians.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman has written to state and territory leaders, just days after Prime Minister’s letter to state and territory leaders around population and his discussion with them at the Council of Australian Governments meeting in Adelaide.
Key questions being discussed:
Would maintaining the current composition of the permanent Migration Program, approximately 70 per cent skilled immigration and 30 per cent family immigration, strike an appropriate balance that maximises the benefits of immigration for all Australians in 2019-20?
How can Australia maximise the economic outcomes from the Skill stream in the 2019-20 Migration Program?
What should the balance between skilled categories be in order to best meet the needs of Australians in 2019-20?
Is the current size and composition of the Family stream appropriately balanced between partners, parent and other family?
What should the balance between family categories be in order to best meet the needs of Australians in 2019-20?
The Department of Home Affairs will accept submissions to migration.policy@homeaffairs.gov.au until January 31, 2019.
Mr Coleman said the Government is committed to maximising the economic outcomes of immigration, particularly skilled migration, while also considering the long-term population impacts on state and territory planning and infrastructure.
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman Source: SBS
“The Commonwealth undertakes comprehensive consultation each year to inform the make-up of the migration program," said Coleman. "We seek expert advice from a range of key stakeholders, including the business sector, states and territories and the public.”
Along with seeking input from state and territory governments, which is due by January 31, 2019, consultation includes the release of a discussion paper to encourage input and views from the Australian public.
The Department of Home Affairs will also consult with representatives from academia, industry and community organisations, who will provide expert advice on how Australia can best benefit from immigration in the coming year.
The size and composition of the migration program will also be informed by broad whole-of-government engagement across the Federal Government.
