The SkillSelect scheme, introduced in July 2012, is reported to have facilitated the delivery of 38% of the general skilled migration streamed into the workforce.
According to the immigration department’s annual report Australia’s Migration Programme gained 5,000 places over the previous year with 190,000 places. Australia has never before experienced such a high volume in successful visa applications.
Employer sponsored visas were responsible for 47,740 successful visa applications and 60,185 visas were granted to those migrating to the country as family members of Australians.
Martin Bowles, immigration department secretary commented on the report; “The past year has been one of unprecedented change. The department has dealt with often unpredictable challenges in supporting the government to shape the nation through managing permanent and temporary movements of people in and out of Australia, and in delivering settlement and citizenship programmes.”
“To give an idea of the scope of our work, this year alone Australia had more than 30 million cross border movements by students, tourists and temporary migrants, as well as permanent residents and Australian citizens,” he added.
“At the same time we responded with speed and flexibility to rapidly changing global circumstances including economic conditions and conflict and civil unrest that influenced the movement of millions of people around the world,” said Bowles. “Through all of this, we have recognized that each interaction with a client is an interaction with the life of an individual or a family, each with aspirations that we are committed to dealing with fairly and professionally.”
Bowles commented that visitors, holidaymakers, students – preparing to study in Australia, and foreign investors who legally cross the Australian border every year are welcomed into the country and adds value to the country’s work force. “While we have dealt with a challenging and unpredictable operational environment over the past year, the department has also been instrumental in shaping the future of a prosperous, inclusive Australia.
The department contributes to a cohesive, multicultural Australian society through promotion of cultural diversity and a unifying citizenship, and plays a significant role in building Australia’s future through managed migration.”
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