Since the success of the Australian Federal Governments regional migration initiative, the programs intake for migrants who commit to living and working in regional Australia for at least three years, is to be extended from 23,000 to 25,000.
During the first quarter of the financial year, the programme saw 6,000 visas approved. This was a marked increase on the 3,000 visas of the previous quarter before the scheme was launched. Furthermore, since 16 November, Perth and the Gold Coast are now re-classified and no longer classed as ‘major cities’ in a bid to recruit skilled migrants and international students into these areas.
The governments’ aim is to open up opportunities for recruitment into areas of Australia that are looking to grow their population to develop infrastructure and investment whilst alleviating the congestion in the major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The visas require migrants to to live and work in a regional area for at least three years with a view to encouraging them to put down roots in those communities and, ultimately, increasing the likelihood of them remaining long term and access permanent residency. To further aid these plans ‘regional outreach officers’ will be installed in Perth, the Gold Coast and other regional areas.
For further information and the skilled occupation list, take a look here.
For any further information on the process of moving to any part of Australia, our International Department can be contacted on 01902 714555 or via email sales@burkebros.co.uk and are happy to answer your questions.
Equally, for further information on visa requirements and any changes in the pathways to migration, we can also recommend useful points of contact to ensure you receive the most up to date and accurate information.
