International students interested in obtaining permanent residence in Australia may have better prospects in the future. A federal parliamentary committee on migration is examining measures to make the route to permanent residence in Australia more transparent for skilled workers.
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration released a report on Australia’s skilled migration programme, which included numerous suggestions. Australia has lost more than half a million temporary migrants, according to Liberal Party MP, since the country’s border was closed last year.
The committee had received compelling evidence of major skill shortages that had developed throughout the epidemic. Moreover, it found that skilled migrants play a critical role in generating more employment for Australians, which was one of the main reasons for the proposal. Migrants who are competent and committed should be provided with clear pathways to PR, but their pathway length and conditions should differ based on their skill level.
We have proposed additional incentives for migrants to move to regional Australia, as well as encouraging the best international students to stay in order to address continuing skill shortages, and simplifying and improving procedures at the Department of Home Affairs.
Recommendations To Obtain Permanent Residence in Australia
The committee recommended modifying post-study employment arrangements for international students who met specific requirements, such as graduating in the top 10% of their course and meeting appropriate English language standards.
Under the employer-nominated system, these graduates would be eligible for a discount in the work experience component for permanent residence from three to two years. Additional points may be given to graduates who fulfil the following requirements when applying for a points-based visa, according to the committee. The government could also consider three-year temporary graduate visas to provide graduates more time and flexibility in their job search.
The committee further recommends that the Department of Home Affairs modify the visa requirements for the Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482) short-term stream in order to offer a path to permanent residence for temporary migrants.
All visas sponsored by an employer should offer a path to permanent residency. The time needed to get permanent residence and the criteria associated with it may vary depending on the visa, for example, with applicants in lower-skilled professions taking longer to obtain permanent residence than visa holders with higher levels of education.
Permanent residency requirements should continue to include a good command of the English language and candidates must be under the age of 45.