Home > Our Publications > Australian Outlook> 2004 > Feburary

SKILLED migrants and retirees have been given a new deal by the Federal Government, which will make it easier for them to live in Australia - provided they are prepared to settle outside Sydney/New South Wales and in regional areas.
But against this, the Federal Government has said it will implement measures to reduce migration into Sydney and the Government is having further discussions with the New South Wales State government over the problem.
The new skill visa comes into effect from July 1 while the retiree visa is in effect from November. Further details on both the skilled and retiree visas will be announced in due course.
Under the migration visa, skilled people under 45, with needed qualifications will be able to obtain a three-year temporary visa, if they commit to living and working in regional Australia, for three years.
As further incentives they will not need to obtain as many points to pass the points test and they can apply for permanent residency after just two years.
However, in an effort to make sure they stay in the regional area, if they leave before the end of that period their visa to remain in Australia will be revoked after three years.
The Federal Government has loosely defined regional Australia as anywhere outside New South Wales, which wants to reduce its migrant intake, especially into the Sydney conurbation. This may mean that these migrants can even settle in other capital cities, especially Adelaide and Hobart.
All migrants under this new visa class have to speak good English, have recent work experience and recognised trade qualifications and will not qualify for Medicare health benefits or other Social Security benefits.
It will be left to regional bodies to target the type of migrants they want but virtually everywhere, at the present time, requires skilled migrants, including health workers, especially in the regional areas.
Announcing the new visas, Minister for Immigration, Senator Amanda Vanstone said that even though there has been a steady increase in the use of regional migration measures, "we need to do more to assist regional Australia to get the people they want and this is what we are announcing."
Senator Vanstone said that after three years there was "a very strong likelihood" that migrants who had spent three years in the community would stay there.
Acting Prime Minister, Mr John Anderson said that many rural and regional communities believed that migration would counter population losses and help to revitalise their communities.
There is no doubt that many thousands of smaller rural cities and towns, in all States and Territories, do require skilled workers and certainly need families and they do offer a wonderful lifestyle, with all the attributes of casual living in Australia without the stress of the larger cities.
These cities and towns offer cheap housing, certainly compared with UK prices, and you can easily buy a decent house on a few acres of land near the city or town for far less than the average London terrace house.
And the kids will have plenty of room to move and play their full part in the local community. Plus, you should get clean air and sunshine. There's not much more you can ask for.