The Australian  Government today announced an increase to the 2012–13 migration program, providing additional places to help fill skills shortages

Minister for Immigration and Citizenship Chris Bowen MP said the planned migration program in the 2012–13 Budget would provide support to the growth regions and sectors of Australia’s economy struggling to meet acute skills shortages.

The increase of 5000 places—from 185 000 to 190 000 in  2012–13 migration program includes a skill stream of 129 250 places, 60 185 family places and a special eligibility stream of 565 places.

Mr Bowen said regional visas would also continue to be given high processing priority to recognise the needs of regional employers and encourage regional migration.

Up to 16, 000 places have been reserved for the regional sponsored migration scheme (skilled) to ensure those areas have the support they need to fill skills gaps, grow local economies and strengthen communities.

‘Further recent reforms have made employer-sponsored programs more streamlined and responsive.’

Mr Bowen said the government also recognised the important social benefits of close family reunion, reflected in the increase in family places from 58 600 to 60 185.

‘Our skilled migration program is driven by Australia’s genuine skills needs ……..We believe we have the balance right.

From now on same-sex and opposite-sex de facto couples who are in genuine and continuing relationships will be recognized as de facto partners/spouses.

The definitions for Interdependent Partner and De Facto Partner have now been removed.  Partners (spouses and de facto partners) and Same-Sex partners and their children are recognized as family members when the partner is the primary visa applicant. This is good news for many potential visa applicants as there were some visa applications in the past where it was not possible to include your same-sex partner on the application. For example, inequities such as your same-sex partner being able to be included on your overseas temporary business visa to work for an Australian company, but not being eligible for inclusion for Employer Nominated permanent residence as a dependent, will now be a thing of the past. From July 1^st 2009, your same-sex partner is eligible to apply for all visas available to opposite-sex partners, including student, business, skilled and humanitarian visas.

Changes to the temporary visa program

The Migration Legislation Amendment, Worker Protection Act (WPA) 2008 is effective from the  14^th September 2009. The Department of Immigration and Citizenship believe the new reforms will “strengthen the integrity of temporary residence visas” by assisting with employment and training opportunities for local labour,  lessening exploitation of overseas workers, providing salary and conditions equity for local and overseas workers and ensuring the employment of overseas workers does not disadvantage local staff.

Contact the ARRIVE AUSTRALIA office today to discuss your matter with a Registered Migration Agent.