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Migration Program Numbers Announced for 2009/10
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| Author: |
Alan Collett |
| Date: |
Thursday, May 14, 2009 |
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Following the handing down of the 2009 Federal Budget the Australian Government has announced the number of visas it plans to grant for the year to 30th June, 2010.
The number attracting the headlines is the reduction in the number of skilled visas to cut the permanent skilled migrant intake to 108,100 places for the 2009/10 Migration Program, " ... in response to the continued economic slowdown," according to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Chris Evans.
By way of background, in March 2009 the Government cut the 2008/09 permanent skilled migration intake from 133,500 to 115,000.
However, it should be noted that the skilled program in the last few years has delivered the following outcomes:
- 2007/08: 108,540
- 2006/07: 97,920
- 2005/06: 97,340
- 2004/05: 77,880
Source: Department of Immigration website
The planned skilled migration program therefore remains significant in number terms on a historical basis - concerns about visa application processing times should recognise that the skilled program will allow for significant numbers of visa grants in spite of the Minister's comments, which we feel are intended for a domestic audience.
By contrast, and in keeping with the tendencies of past Australian Labour Party Governments, there is an increase in the family program, with an increase of 3,800 places, to 60,300.
The increase includes an additional 2,500 places for partners, 1,000 places for contributory parents and 300 for child visas.
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| Weblink: |
http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2009/ce02-budget-09.htm |
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