18 June 2010
Elsa Koleth
Social Policy Section
Contents
This paper provides a chronology that draws on ministerial press statements to trace changes in Australia’s immigration policy in relation to overseas students between 1997 and May 2010. Immigration policies introduced under the Howard Coalition Government and the Rudd Labor Government in this 12 to 13 year period have fundamentally changed the nature of migration to Australia. Policy changes in this period were pivotal in facilitating the rapid growth of overseas student education in Australia by forging links between the overseas student program and permanent skilled migration. The paper begins its analysis in 1997 as this appears to be the point at which the Howard Government commenced making announcements about overseas students as an immigration issue.
The paper begins by briefly analysing the way in which the landscape of immigration policy in relation to overseas students has developed since 1997. This is followed by a summary charting key policy developments between 1997 and May 2010, and concluding observations on the consequences and possible impacts of the most recent immigration policy changes on overseas student education in Australia. Appendix A contains a detailed chronology of government media releases on immigration policy developments in relation to overseas students. As an aid to reading the paper, Appendix B identifies the visa classes referred to in the text of the paper, and Appendix C provides a glossary of acronyms and terms.[1]
Australia’s immigration system has undergone significant paradigm shifts in the past 12 to 13 years. Among the key changes are shifts in the focus of the Migration Program from family migration to skilled migration, and in the overall immigration program from permanent migration to long-term temporary migration.[2] In the context of these two changes, Australia’s immigration program has also seen an exponential increase in overseas student entrants.[3] Indeed, by 2007 Australia accounted for 11 per cent of the international student market and had seen a three-fold increase in student numbers over the previous ten years.[4] Figures published by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) indicate that the number of student visa holders in Australia grew at the average annual rate of 13.9 per cent every year after June 2001, rising to a total of 386 523 student visa holders in the 12 months to the end of June 2009.[5]
The strengthening of both the skilled migration program and overseas student program was seen by successive governments as instrumental in contributing to Australia’s economic growth in the face of challenges such as skills shortages and an ageing population. The push to attract overseas students under the Howard Government was part of the Government’s response to changing global economic conditions and migratory trends. The rapid growth of both the skilled and overseas student programs occurred in a climate of intense international competition for highly skilled young migrants and overseas students.[6] The recruitment of overseas students was a core element of the Government’s strategy to remain competitive in this international environment. Overseas students were seen as both injecting significant amounts of money into the Australian economy and having the potential to yield returns by helping to meet Australia’s ongoing labour needs. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimated that the international education industry contributed $15.8 billion to the Australian economy in 2008–09, and up to $17.7 billion in the four quarters to December 2009.[7] According to the Australian Council for Private Education and Training, international student activity contributed an estimated 122 000 full-time equivalent employees to the economy between 2007 and 2008.[8]
Through government statements and key policy decisions from the late 1990s onwards the Federal Government expressed a commitment to retaining successful overseas students with skills that were in demand, thereby encouraging such individuals to make the transition from temporary to permanent settlement through the skilled migration program. Such movements contributed to the rapidly growing trend of people coming to Australia on temporary work or study visas and applying for permanent residence onshore. Indeed, by 2007–08, approximately 40 per cent of visas granted in the skilled migration program went to temporary migrants who were already in Australia, largely overseas students and Business (Long Stay) (subclass 457) visa holders.[9]
Demographers, Andrew Markus, James Jupp and Peter McDonald have observed that ‘Australian immigration policy has facilitated the growth of the educational industry by offering the option of permanent settlement to those successfully completing courses in areas of high demand’.[10] In particular, academics, parliamentarians and other commentators have argued that the possibility of attaining permanent residency following study in Australia, combined with the priority attached to trade skills from 2005, induced the burgeoning of the vocational education and training (VET) sector and a dramatic increase in students applying to undertake VET courses.[11] The majority of the students driving this growth in the VET sector were from the Indian subcontinent.[12] In 2009 DIAC reported that ‘[t]he number of student visa holders from India increased by 44.6 per cent from 63 558 on 30 June 2008 to 91 887 on 30 June 2009, making it the top source country’ for overseas students coming to Australia in that year.[13]
The dawn of the global financial crisis in 2008 and the resultant economic downturn triggered changes to government policy on skilled migration. In March 2009 Australia’s skilled migration program was reduced for the first time in ten years, with the stated objective of protecting local jobs.[14] A review of the Migration Program in 2008 also led to the Government announcing that it would move to a ‘demand driven’ model for permanent skilled migration, with a focus on delivering the skills most needed in the economy. This shift in policy focus was reflected in the introduction of a new Critical Skills List (CSL) and a revised order of preference for the processing of skilled visa applications, which gave chief priority to employer sponsored visas. The CSL was limited to professional fields in health, IT, engineering and accountancy, and abandoned most of the trade occupations behind the growth of the vocational education sector. It was hoped that these policy changes would result in increases in employer-sponsored visas and in the numbers of temporary migrants already working in Australia being granted permanent visas onshore. In the months following the introduction of these changes, there was an increase in visa grants to registered nurses, computing professionals, engineers and doctors, and a decline in primary visa grants to cooks, chefs and pastry cooks, accountants and hairdressers.[15]
The evolution of immigration policy over the past 13 years fostered the development of a complex nexus between the overseas student program and the skilled migration program.[16] Indeed, a 2009 Senate Committee Inquiry into the Welfare of International students found that ‘[w]itnesses who appeared before the committee, including DIAC, gave evidence that over time a perception has developed that a student visa can provide an automatic pathway to permanent residency’.[17]
However, from approximately 2005 onwards it became evident that the interaction between the overseas student program and the general skilled migration program was producing unintended and problematic outcomes. Issues that emerged as a result of this nexus included: a concentration of overseas students in the vocational education sector in the pursuit of permanent residency; the failure of some former overseas students to achieve employment outcomes that were commensurate with their qualifications; and failure to obtain skill levels that would meet Australia’s skill needs.[18] Many of these and other issues surrounding the operation of international education and the welfare of international students in Australia came to a head in May 2009 when reports of violence against Indian international students triggered protests in Melbourne and Sydney. These events attracted much public attention, both domestically and abroad.[19]
The Australian Government embarked on intense diplomatic efforts to salvage Australia’s reputation as a destination for international students and to clarify the distinctions between the objectives of student visas and permanent residency.[20] The Government also established taskforces on international student safety and wellbeing and developed a National International Student Strategy through the Council of Australian Governments (COAG). Ultimately, these events served to catalyse the establishment of formal investigations into the operation of the international education sector in Australia.[21] The links between international student education and Australia’s Migration Program were among the issues that were scrutinised in the course of these reviews.
One of the Australian Government’s key responses to the challenges emerging from international student education in Australia was to introduce significant reforms to the skilled migration program in February 2010.[22] In making these changes the Government explicitly called for the attainment of overseas student visas to be decoupled from other migration outcomes, such as permanent residency, and sought to make access to permanent migration contingent upon the achievement of concrete employment outcomes.[23]
The following section traces the key immigration policy announcements and changes under the Howard and Rudd governments that facilitated the growth and development of the overseas student program within Australia’s immigration system between 1997 and May 2010. A more detailed catalogue of relevant ministerial media releases is presented in Appendix A.
- In 1998 the Howard Government announced the provision of $21 million over four years for a major international marketing campaign to promote Australia’s education and training services industry overseas. The marketing campaign was focused on traditional Asian markets as well as relatively untapped student markets such as India, People’s Republic of China (hereafter referred to as China), Europe and North and South America. The campaign was run by the Commonwealth-funded body, Australian Education International (AEI). [24]
- The skilled stream of Australia’s Migration Program was increased from 29 per cent in 1995–96 to over 50 per cent in 2000, and continued to grow in subsequent years. The increase in skilled migration was central to the Government’s response to the challenges of skills shortages and an ageing population.[25]
- In August 1998 the Government announced that from July 1999 the points test used to assess skilled migrants for the General Skilled Migration (GSM) program (applicable to skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer) was modified to grant five additional points where an applicant obtained their diploma, trade or degree from an Australian educational institution. This change enhanced the ability of eligible former overseas students to migrate to Australia on a permanent basis and was seen as increasing Australia’s global competitiveness in attracting more overseas students and skilled migrants.[26]
- In March 1999 the Government announced the introduction of the Migration Occupations in Demand List (MODL)—a list of occupations that were deemed to be in national shortage. From May 1999 skilled migration applicants with occupations on the MODL were able to receive bonus points in a new selection test, and were accorded processing priority. The placement of occupations on the MODL in coming years played a key role in spurring growth in overseas student numbers.[27]
- Government statements in 2000 indicated that the Government recognised the globalisation of the labour market and the growing importance of temporary residents in the Australian economy. Long-term temporary migration, such as migration for work and study, was seen as a touchstone for the future of migration internationally. The Government’s skilled migration and overseas student programs were developed in the context of intense international competition for skilled migrants and for overseas students.[28]
- From July 2001 overseas students with key skills that were needed in the economy who successfully completed their course of study at an Australian institution, and met other general eligibility requirements, were able to make an onshore application for permanent residency through the Skilled-Independent (and related) visa categories of the GSM program (previously they had to leave Australia and apply offshore). Students were required to make their applications within six months of completing their Australian course. Unlike skilled migrants who applied offshore, former overseas students who made applications onshore were exempted from the requirement of obtaining work experience in their nominated occupation.[29]
- The drawing of a direct link between the overseas student program and skilled migration program attracted strong growth in overseas student numbers, leading to a 27 per cent increase in offshore student visa grants between 2001 and 2003. It also led to strong growth in demand for permanent migration from former overseas students who obtained qualifications in Australia, with former students comprising almost half of those granted independent skilled migration visas through the GSM. Due to the high demand for permanent migration from former students, the Government increased the pass mark for all skilled migration applications received after May 2002 from 110 to115 points.[30]
- From July 2003 former overseas students wishing to apply for the GSM program were required to complete a minimum of two years of study physically in Australia (rather than one year as previously required) in order to qualify for bonus points in the selection test, and to be exempt from requiring skilled work experience.[31]
- In December 2003 the Government introduced changes to the overseas student program to allow greater flexibility on financial requirements (such as the need to have sufficient funds to live and study in Australia) and English proficiency requirements for some student visa applicants. The changes allowed for a greater range of acceptable financial evidence for student visa applicants from some high-risk countries. English proficiency requirements were modified to accommodate students who had previously studied in certain English-speaking countries, and to allow some students to undertake foundation English language courses before undergraduate study. These changes were aimed at aiding Australia’s growth as a world leader in international student education. [32]
- The Government noted that there had been a recognisable shift in the way people migrate to Australia. Whereas in the past the majority of skilled migrants entered Australia after obtaining a permanent visa offshore, applicants for permanent skilled migration were now predominantly drawn from the ranks of those who were already in Australia under a temporary visa, largely skilled workers and overseas students.[33]
- In recognition of an increase in student visa approvals and falling non-compliance levels among overseas students, from April 2005 the Government decided to lower student visa assessment levels, including, English language requirements and financial tests for student visa applicants from certain countries and education sectors.[34]
- From April 2005 the pass mark for selection under the GSM was increased from 115 to 120 points. This increase in the overall mark required to qualify for skilled migration heightened the importance of obtaining bonus points from an occupation that was listed on the MODL. Under the previous pass mark of 115 only 9 per cent of skilled migration applicants nominated an occupation on the MODL, but a year after the increase of the pass mark 42 per cent of applicants nominated an occupation on the MODL in order to acquire bonus points. [35]
- In May 2005 the Government increased the number of trades occupations listed on the MODL, including cooking and hospitality. This change was instrumental in accelerating the growth of the vocational education sector and in the number of overseas students enrolling in vocational education courses.[36]
- In 2005 and 2006 studies revealed that while, generally, skilled migrants were achieving high levels of employment former overseas students may not have been achieving employment outcomes that were commensurate with their skills and qualifications. Evidence suggested that strong English language skills and relevant work experience were crucial to achieving good employment outcomes.[37]
- In response to the findings of studies on the employment outcomes of skilled migrants the Government introduced changes to requirements for the GSM program, including an increase in the base level of English language proficiency and a greater emphasis on work experience in the points test. A temporary visa mechanism was introduced to enable overseas students, who were exempt from work experience requirements, but who may have needed some skilled work experience to qualify for skilled migration after the introduction of these changes, to gain the requisite experience.[38]
- The Rudd Government increased the permanent skilled migration program by 6000 places in February 2008 and by a further 31 000 places in May 2008. This represented a 30 per cent increase of the skilled component in the 2007–08 Migration Program. Skilled migration comprised 68 per cent of the 2007–08 Migration Program.[39]
- In April 2008 the Rudd Government reformed student visas to automatically grant overseas students the right to work for up to 20 hours a week while their course was in session. Previously, students were required to make a separate application for the right to work after being granted a student visa. The Government also introduced a streamlined visa process for student visa applicants from India, Indonesia, and Thailand to enable their visa information to be stored electronically, rather than requiring a visa label in their passports.[40]
- In response to a significant downturn in the global economic outlook in the latter part of 2008 the Government announced the shift to a ‘demand driven’ model for permanent skilled migration, with a focus on employer and government sponsored migration that would meet specific skills needs in the economy.[41]
- In 2009 the Government reduced the planned level of permanent skilled migration by 20 per cent. It also introduced increased English language requirements and a targeted skills testing regime for trades-related occupations to ensure migrants were ready to enter the labour market. The Government indicated that fewer trade-based visas would be granted in 2009–10.[42]
- Reports of violence against Indian international students prompted intense diplomatic efforts to salvage Australia’s reputation as a destination for international students. The Government’s response included the launch of taskforces on international student safety and wellbeing, the development of a National International Student Strategy by the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) and reviews of international student education in Australia.[43]
- DIAC data revealed that, since June 2001, the number of student visa holders in Australia had grown by an average rate of 13.9 per cent per annum. Student visa applications grew by 20 per cent in 2008–09, while the number of student visas granted grew by 15.2 per cent, resulting in a total of 320 368 student visa grants in that year. The number of visa grants in the VET sector (subclass 572 visas) increased by 52.2 per cent in 2008–09, while the share of VET sector visas in the broader overseas student program increased from 25 per cent in 2007–08 to 32 per cent in 2008–09. India replaced China as the top source country for overseas students in Australia, with the number of student visa holders from India increasing by 44.6 per cent between June 2008 and June 2009. There was also a significant increase in the English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students (ELICOS) and Postgraduate Research sectors. However, 28 000 student visas were refused—an increase of 68 per cent on the number of refusals in 2007–08.[44]
- In August 2009 the Government responded to the rising numbers of student visa applications being made, and the number being denied by DIAC, by strengthening integrity measures in certain parts of the student program caseload to counter fraud and ensure that students had sufficient funds to live and study in Australia. These measures were supplemented by an increase in the financial requirement attaching to student visas to ensure that students were not heavily reliant on income from part-time work to meet their expenses in Australia. The Government reported that there was an increase in the number of student visa applications being withdrawn, immediately following the introduction of enhanced integrity measures in August 2009.[45]
- The Government introduced measures to assist around 4000 international students who were affected by the closure of 12 private education providers in late 2009.[46]
- Major reforms were announced for the skilled migration program in February 2010, including the introduction of a new, more targeted, Skilled Occupations List (SOL), a review of the points test used to assess applicants, and the potential to cap visa grants to people in particular occupations. Through these changes the Government aimed to delink student visas from permanent migration status.[47]
- The Hon. Bruce Baird’s report on the review of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (2000), released in March 2010, found that migration outcomes had a significant impact on international student education in Australia. He welcomed the Government’s reforms to the GSM program, announced in February 2010, as going some way to addressing the deleterious impact of the relationship between the skilled migration and international student education.[48]
- The Migration Program planning figures for 2010–11 increased the skilled migration program by 5750 program places. There was an increase of 9150 places for employer sponsored skilled migrants and a decrease of 3600 places for the GSM program. These planning figures modified the composition of the Migration Program in favour of employer sponsored migration, consistent with the Government’s focus on ‘demand driven’ migration. The change in the Migration Program planning figures reduced the number of places available to independent skilled migrants under the GSM program.[49]
- The new SOL, released on 17 May 2010, contains 181 managerial, professional and trade occupations, but crucially removes occupations, such as hairdressing and cooking, which drove much of the growth in the VET sector in the previous five years. All applicants for independent skilled migration visas under the GSM must now have qualifications relevant to an occupation on the SOL. The new list is aimed at delivering a more targeted GSM program that is aligned with Australia’s overall workforce development strategy and driven by labour market demand. It is proposed that the new SOL will come into effect on 1 July 2010, and transitional arrangements have been put in place for current and former overseas students who wish to apply under the GSM program.[50]
- In releasing the new SOL, the Government again sought to explicitly disassociate student visas from permanent residency through the Migration Program. International students are cautioned against undertaking courses of study in the hope of achieving particular migration outcomes, as the new SOL will be reviewed annually and is subject to change in response to changing economic and labour market conditions.[51]
While it may be too early to gauge the full effects of the most recent reforms to the skilled migration program, academic and media commentators have predicted some possible outcomes. While largely supportive of the Government’s attempts to address some of the distortions created in the migration program as a result of its interaction with the overseas students program, migration policy researchers Bob Birrell and Ernest Healy caution that the emphasis on employer-nominated places may render former overseas students who do not have qualifications relevant to occupations on the SOL vulnerable to exploitation by employers whom they rely on for sponsorship in their permanent residency applications.[52] Peter Mares notes that the reforms may lead to backlogs in visa processing as former overseas students and the growing ranks of other temporary migrants compete for permanent skilled migration places, particularly in the reduced GSM program.[53]
There are indications that growth in overseas student enrolments has declined sharply and will continue to slow, with DIAC estimating that offshore student visa applications will decline by 30 per cent this year.[54] While the university sector appears relatively untroubled, the decline appears to have adversely impacted upon the English language, vocational education and training, and schools sectors.[55] A dramatic drop in overseas student numbers for March 2010 was attributed to ‘policy uncertainty, the strong Aussie dollar and adverse publicity over student safety’.[56] The release of the new SOL, initially due to be published in April 2010, was delayed until May 2010.[57] According to press reports, the initial uncertainty surrounding the SOL has been associated with a sharp decline in the rate of enrolments from Australia’s largest offshore student market, China, while, more broadly, this delay threatens ‘the loss of thousands of overseas students, who rely on the list to choose their courses …’.[58] Such reports suggest that the link between the overseas student program and the skilled migration program, while considerably weakened by recent policy changes, is unlikely to be severed. Indeed, commentators, particularly from the education sector, have warned that the nexus between the skilled migration program and the overseas student program cannot simply be severed, as this could have devastating consequences for Australia’s international student education industry; rather, attempts to decouple the two programs need to be carefully managed.[59] The Government’s own affirmation of the importance of skilled migration in meeting labour shortages suggests that it is in Australia’s interests to develop immigration policies that ensure that former overseas students who wish to become permanent migrants are able to constructively meet Australia’s skill needs.[60]
Commentators have predicted that the omission of cooking and hairdressing occupations on the new SOL, announced on 17 May 2010, will have a direct impact on the VET sector, as these two occupations dominated the provision of VET courses for overseas students.[61] Some private educators have predicted ‘more college closures, thousands of job losses and a flight of international students to other countries’.[62]
The full consequences of the overhaul of the skilled migration program and measures to tighten the operation of the overseas student program are yet to unfold. It remains to be seen whether the latest reforms in migration policy will allow the Government to better manage the outcomes of the links that have been forged between Australia’s overseas student program and the skilled migration program between 1997 and 2010.
(Please note: text which appears in bold in the ‘Details’ column below is intended to highlight a key point in précis form and does not necessarily replicate the text of the original source document.)
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Visa type
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Subclass
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Subclass Number
|
Eligibility
|
|
Student (Temporary)
|
Independent ELICOS
|
570
|
For ELICOS (English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students)
|
| |
Schools
|
571
|
For primary school; secondary school; and approved secondary exchange programs
|
| |
Vocational education and training
|
572
|
For Certificate I, II, III, and IV; diploma; advanced diploma
|
| |
Higher education
|
573
|
Bachelor degree; associate degree; graduate certificate; graduate diploma; and Masters by coursework
|
| |
Postgraduate research
|
574
|
For Masters by research degree and Doctoral degrees
|
| |
Non-award
|
575
|
For enabling courses; non-award foundation studies; other full-time courses or components of courses not leading to an Australian award
|
| |
AusAID or Defence
|
576
|
For full-time courses of all types undertaken by AusAID or Defence students sponsored by the Australian Government
|
| |
Student guardian
|
580
|
Provides for certain persons to reside with a student in Australia, where that student requires a guardian
|
|
Graduate Skilled (temporary)
|
Skilled graduate (onshore)
|
485
|
This temporary visa enables former overseas students to complete a post-graduate professional year, gain skilled work experience or improve their English skills. To be eligible, you need to have recently completed an Australian degree, diploma or trade qualification as a result of at least 2 years study.
|
| |
Skilled recognised graduate (offshore)
|
476
|
A temporary visa for people who have graduated in the last 24 months from a course in a specified discipline at a recognised educational institution
|
|
Skilled Independent (permanent)
|
Residence (onshore)
|
885
|
For eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.
|
|
Skilled Independent (permanent)
|
Migrant (offshore)
|
175
|
A permanent visa for people with skills in demand in the Australian labour market. Applicants are not sponsored and must pass a points test.
|
|
Skilled Sponsored (permanent)
|
Residence (onshore)
|
886
|
For eligible overseas students who have obtained an Australian qualification in Australia as a result of at least two (2) years study and for holders of certain temporary visas with skills in demand in Australia. For applicants not able to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark, who have either a relative in Australia to sponsor them or a nomination from a State or Territory government.
|
|
Skilled Sponsored (permanent)
|
Migrant (offshore)
|
176
|
For people unable to meet the Skilled – Independent pass mark. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in Australia or nominated by a participating State or Territory government. Applicants must pass a points test lower than that for the Skilled – Independent visa.
|
|
Training (temporary)
|
Occupational trainee
|
442
|
This visa is for people from outside Australia who want to improve their occupational skills through work-based training with a sponsoring Australian organisation or government agency. The training must provide people with additional or enhanced skills in the nominated occupations, tertiary studies or fields of expertise.
|
| |
Trade skills training (cancelled)
|
471
|
Formerly for people wanting to apply for trade skills training sponsorship—visa repealed in September 2007
|
|
Employer sponsored (temporary)
|
Temporary business (long stay)
|
457
|
The most commonly used program for employers to sponsor overseas workers to work in Australia on a temporary basis
|
| |
Medical Practitioner (temporary)
|
422
|
This visa allows foreign medical practitioners to work in Australia for a sponsoring employer for a period between 3 months and 4 years
|
| |
Labour Agreements
|
|
Labour Agreements are formal arrangements to recruit a number of overseas skilled workers. Both temporary and permanent visas can be granted under the agreement. Agreements are generally effective for two to three years.
|
|
Employer sponsored (permanent)
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Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (onshore)
|
856
|
For visa applicants who are currently living and/or working in Australia on a qualifying visa
|
| |
Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (offshore)
|
121
|
For applicants who are outside Australia
|
| |
Labour Agreements
|
|
Labour Agreements are formal arrangements to recruit a number of overseas skilled workers. Both temporary and permanent visas can be granted under the agreement. Agreements are generally effective for two to three years.
|
|
State/Territory nominated (permanent)
|
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (onshore)
|
857
|
For visa applicants who are currently living and/or working in Australia on a qualifying visa
|
| |
Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (offshore)
|
119
|
For applicants outside Australia
|
|
State/Territory sponsored (temporary)
|
Regional Sponsored (Provisional) (onshore)
|
487
|
For eligible overseas students and holders of certain temporary visas who can meet the lower pass mark for this visa. Applicants must be either sponsored by an eligible relative living in a designated area of Australia or nominated by a participating state/territory government. After living for two (2) years and working for at least one (1) year in a Specified Regional Area, applicants can apply for a permanent visa.
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CSL
|
Critical Skills List
|
|
DIAC
|
Department of Immigration and Citizenship
|
|
DIMA
|
Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs
|
|
DIMIA
|
Department of Immigration, Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs
|
|
ELICOS
|
English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students
|
|
GSM
|
The General Skilled Migration program is a component of the skilled migration stream of the annual Migration Program. The GSM program is open to skilled migrants who are not sponsored by an employer. The options open to applicants under the GSM include, applying as independent applicants, sponsorship by a relative or nomination by a State or Territory government.
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Immigration program
|
In this paper refers to the entirety of Australia’s annual migrant intake in both permanent and temporary categories. The reference to the immigration program in this paper is distinct from the official Migration Program, announced annually by DIAC. In addition to the entry of permanent migrants under the Migration Program, Australia also accepts various categories of temporary migrants, whose numbers are not fixed by the Government.
|
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Migration Program
|
Refers to the Government’s official, non-humanitarian, permanent migration program, comprising mainly of the skilled and family migration categories. The Migration Program operates within planning levels that are set by the Government every financial year. Some visa categories within the Migration Program are not capped, such as the Business Skills, Employer Sponsored, State-specific and Regional visas. Where uncapped visa categories exceed original planning levels in any one year, the increase is accommodated by decreasing other categories in the Migration Program, such as the Skilled Independent category.
|
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MODL
|
Migration Occupations in Demand List
|
|
Overseas student program
|
Comprises visa categories that enable foreign nationals to enter Australia on a temporary basis in order to undertake full time study.
|
|
Skilled migrant intake
|
Includes reference to both permanent and temporary skilled migrants entering Australia as part of the overall migrant intake.
|
|
Skilled migration program
|
Refers to permanent skilled migration under both the employer-sponsored and GSM categories of the annual Migration Program.
|
|
SOL
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Skilled Occupations List
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Temporary migration
|
Refers to migrants who enter Australia on a temporary visa, such as business or student visa. Unlike the Migration Program, which is capped annually, the number of visas granted under temporary entry visa categories is not pre-determined by the government, but are rather driven by the supply of applicants under these categories.
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VET
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Vocational Education and Training
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While people who enter Australia as temporary migrants under the overseas student program are often referred to as ‘international students’ in common parlance, this paper largely adopts government terminology used within the immigration portfolio to refer to such entrants as ‘overseas students’.
[2]. A Markus, J Jupp and P McDonald, Australia’s immigration revolution, Allen & Unwin, Crows Nest, 2009, p. 10; P Mares, ‘The permanent shift to temporary migration’, Inside Story, 1 June 2009, viewed 21 April 2010, http://inside.org.au/the-permanent-shift-to-temporary-migration
[3]. For statistical information on overseas student enrolments and related data dating back to 2000 see the following website: Australian Government, ‘International student data’, Australian Education International website, viewed 28 May 2010, http://www.aei.gov.au/AEI/MIP/Statistics/StudentEnrolmentAndVisaStatistics/Default.htm
[4]. A Markus, J Jupp and P McDonald, Australia’s immigration revolution, op. cit., p. 11.
[5]. DIAC, Annual Report 2008–09, Canberra, October 2009, p. 63, viewed 10 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2008-09/html/outcome1/output1-1-4.htm
[6]. K Koser, The global financial crisis and international migration: policy implications for Australia, Lowy Institute for International Policy, Sydney, July 2009, p. 3, viewed 10 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FMY8U6%22
[7]. Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), Population flows: immigration aspects 2008–09, Canberra, May 2010, p. 60, viewed 27 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/popflows2008-09/pop-flows.pdf; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), International trade in goods and services, Australia (Cat no. 5368.0): Table 11a, credits (exports), ABS website, viewed 4 June 2010, http://www.abs.gov.au/AUSSTATS/abs@.nsf/DetailsPage/5368.0Dec%202009?OpenDocument; There is a great deal of debate surrounding this issue and estimates vary as to the value of the international education industry to the Australian economy. Estimates produced by the ABS have been queried by B Birrell in ‘Export figures exaggerated’, The Australian, 5 August 2009, p. 34 and defended by G Withers, in ‘Sector’s $15bn-plus export figures really stack up’, The Australian, 12 August 2009, p. 34. Further discussion of these and international estimates is provided by G Maslen, in ‘Don’t count on earnings’, The Australian, 12 August 2009, p. 30. See also, B Birrell and T F Smith, ‘Export earnings from the overseas student industry: how much?’, Australian Universities’ Review, vol. 52, no. 1, 2010, pp. 4–12, viewed 4 June 2010, http://www.aur.org.au/archive/52-01/aur_52-01.pdf and Access Economics’ report for the Australian Council for Private Education and Training (ACPET), The Australian education sector and the economic contribution of international students: report by Access Economics for Australian Council for Private Education and Training, 2009, viewed 4 June 2010, http://globalhighered.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/theaustralianeducationsectorandtheeconomiccontributionofinternationalstudents-2461.pdf; Estimates are highly dependent on the type of methodology used in calculations.
[8]. K Koser, The global financial crisis and international migration: policy implications for Australia, op. cit., p. 4; See also, ACPET, The Australian education sector and the economic contribution of international students: report by Access Economics for Australian Council for Private Education and Training, op. cit.
[9]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed, media release, Canberra, 17 December 2008, viewed 20 April 2010, http://www.minister.immi.gov.au/media/media-releases/2008/ce08123.htm; A Markus, J Jupp and P McDonald, Australia’s immigration revolution, op. cit., p. 64.
[10]. A Markus, J Jupp and P McDonald, Australia’s immigration revolution, op. cit., p. 11.
[11]. P Mares, ‘From queue to pool: skilled migration gets a makeover’, Inside Story, 10 February 2010, viewed 21 April 2010, http://inside.org.au/skilled-migration-gets-a-makeover/; See also B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, People and Place, vol. 18, no. 1, 2010, pp. 67–68, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FJXJW6%22; B Birrell and B Perry, ‘Immigration policy change and the international student industry’, People and Place, vol. 17, no. 2, 2009 pp. 65–68, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FTN8U6%22; K Thomson, ‘Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Re-registration of Providers and Other Measures) Bill 2009’, House of Representatives, Debates, 19 October 2009, pp. 10121–10126, viewed 20 April 2010, http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard/reps/dailys/dr191009.pdf cited in P Mares, ‘A blockage in the skilled migration pipeline’, Inside Story, 3 November 2009, viewed 21 April 2010, http://inside.org.au/a-blockage-in-the-skilled-migration-pipeline/; B Baird, Review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000—final report, Australian Government, Canberra, February 2009, p. vi, viewed 21 April 2010, http://aei.gov.au/AEI/GovernmentActivities/InternationalStudentsTaskforce/ESOS_REview_Final_Report_Feb_2010_pdf.pdf; Senate Standing Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (EEWR) References Committee, Welfare of International Students, The Senate, Canberra, November 2009, pp. 18–19, 22, viewed 21 April 2010 http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/eet_ctte/international_students/report/report.pdf
[12]. B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 68.
[13]. DIAC, Annual Report 2008–09, op. cit., p. 63.
[14]. C Evans, Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed, op. cit.
[15]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Skilled migration changes deliver more workers Australia needs, media release, Canberra, 17 February 2010, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FRKZV6%22
[16]. B Birrell and B Perry, ‘Immigration policy change and the international student industry’, op. cit., pp. 65–68; B Baird, Review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000- final report, op. cit., pp. 6–8.
[17]. Senate Standing Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (EEWR) References Committee, Welfare of International Students, op. cit., p. 17.
[18]. P Mares, ‘A blockage in the skilled migration pipeline’, op. cit.; B Birrell and E Healy, ‘Migrant accountants —high numbers, poor outcomes,’ People and Place, vol. 16, no. 4, 2008, pp. 9–22, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2F01MS6%22; B Birrell and E Healy, ‘How are skilled migrants doing?’, People and Place, vol. 16, no. 1, 2008, p. 16, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2F3ODQ6%22; B Birrell, S Richardson and L Hawthorne, Evaluation of the General Skilled Migration Categories (report prepared for DIAC), Canberra, 2006, pp. 76–97, viewed 28 April 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/research/gsm-report/; P Rodan, ‘Remembrance of policies past’, Campus Review, 16 March 2010, p. 12, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FZQ8W6%22; B Birrell and B Perry, ‘Immigration policy change and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 78.
[19]. B D’Costa, ‘Curry bashing? A racist Australian underbelly and the education industry’, South Asia Masala, Australian National University College of Asia and the Pacific, 6 February 2010, viewed 23 April 2010, http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/blogs/southasiamasala/2010/02/06/feature-article-curry-bashing-a-racist-australian-underbelly-and-the-education-industry/; S Marginson, International student security: globalisation, state, university, (speech to the World Universities Forum), Davos, 9–11 January 2010, p. 4, viewed 3 May 2010, http://www.cshe.unimelb.edu.au/people/staff_pages/Marginson/WUF_2010_keynote_Marginson_paper.pdf; B Birrell and B Perry, ‘Immigration policy change and the international student industry’ op. cit., pp 71–72.
[20]. Senate Standing Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (EEWR) References Committee, Welfare of International Students, op. cit., p. 18.
[21]. Namely: the Senate Standing Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (EEWR) References Committee inquiry into the Welfare of International Students; and the review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act, undertaken by the Hon Bruce Baird.
[22]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Migration reforms to deliver Australia’s skills needs, media release, Canberra, 8 February 2010, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FNKZV6%22
[23]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Options remain for overseas students, media release, Canberra, 9 February 2010, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FDRYV6%22; B Baird, Review of the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000—final report, op. cit., p. 7.
[24]. D Kemp (Minister for Employment, Education, Training and Youth Affairs), $1.2 billion growth in education export industry, media release, Canberra, 11 May 1998, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F8O205%22
[25]. P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs), Australian immigration: grasping the new reality, media release, Canberra, 23 November 2000, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FUY836%22
[26]. P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs), Skilled migration changes to boost economy, media release, Canberra, 27 August 1998, viewed 20 April, 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FP8905%22; For general information on the points test, see DIAC, What is the points test?, DIAC website, viewed 31 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/points-test.htm
[27]. B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 66.
[28]. P Ruddock, Australian immigration: grasping the new reality, op. cit.
[29]. P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs), The Economic Impact of Immigration Seminar, media release, Canberra, 1 March 2001, viewed 20 April, 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F48T36%22; See also B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 66.
[30]. P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Student visa numbers increase to record high, media release, Canberra, 19 September 2003, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FF7GA6%22 See also P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Migration: benefiting Australia conference, opening speech, media release, Canberra, 7 May 2002, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FWMH66%22; P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs), Record temporary entrants contribute to economy, media release, Canberra, 7 January 2002, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F5CT56%22; P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Minister announces 2002–03 migration (non-humanitarian) program, media release, Canberra, 7 May 2002, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FQMH66%22
[31]. P Ruddock (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), 2003–04 migration program will increase benefits to Australia, media release, Canberra, 31 March 2003, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F5P396%22
[32]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Student visa numbers continue to grow, media release, Canberra, 29 November 2003, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FOK6B6%22; For general information on student visa assessment levels see, DIAC, Student visa assessment levels, DIAC website, 31 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/students/student-visa-assessment-levels.htm; For general information on English language assessment for student visas see, DIAC, Student visa English language requirements, DIAC website, viewed 31 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/students/english-requirements.htm#a
[33]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Thousands of temporary entrants chose to call Australia home, media release, Canberra, 20 January 2005, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F2J1F6%22
[34]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Student visa reform success, media release, Canberra, 12 January 2005, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FLHXE6%22
[35]. B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 66; A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), Australia’s skills and migrants to increase, media release, Canberra, 1 April 2004, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FEV6C6%22; J Ross, ‘High–end ELICOS winner in migration shake–up’, Campus Review, vol. 20, no. 3, 16 February 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2F4BYV6%22
[36]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), 2005–06 Migration (non-humanitarian) program, media release, Canberra, 14 April 2005, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FOFRF6%22;B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 68.
[37]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs), New migrants are entering the workforce faster, media release, Canberra, 5 November 2005, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FGRZH6%22;DIAC, Sample Reports from LSIA 3, DIAC website, viewed 17 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/media/research/lsia3/
[38]. A Vanstone, (Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs), Evaluation of general skilled migration categories, media release, Canberra, 8 May 2006, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FL3NJ6%22; B Birrell, L Hawthorne, S Richardson, Evaluation of the General Skilled Migration categories, DIAC, May 2006, viewed 17 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/research/gsm-report/
[39]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Budget 2008–09—record skilled migration program to boost economy, media release, Canberra, 13 May 2008, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FXIGQ6%22
[40]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Foreign students gain automatic work rights in Australia, media release, Canberra, 25 April 2008, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FVIGQ6%22
[41]. C Evans, Migration program gives priority to those with skills most needed, op. cit.
[42]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Budget 2009–10—Migration program: the size of the skilled and family programs, media release, Canberra, 12 May 2009, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FBMVT6%22
[43]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Minister meets Indian community in Melbourne, media release, Canberra, 19 June 2009, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FMNXT6%22
[44]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Student visa checks strengthened, media release, Canberra, 20 August 2009, viewed 20 April 2001, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FPJHU6%22 See also, DIAC, Annual Report 2008–09, Canberra, October 2009, viewed 20 April 2010,
http://www.immi.gov.au/about/reports/annual/2008-09/html/outcome1/output1-1-4.htm
[45]. C Evans, Student visa checks strengthened, op. cit.; C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), New visa measures to assist international students, media release, Canberra, 9 November 2009, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FRBPV6%22
[46]. C Evans, New visa measures to assist international students, op. cit.
[47]. C Evans, Migration reforms to deliver Australia’s skills needs, op. cit.
[48]. Bruce Baird was the former Federal Member for Cook in the House of Representatives from October 1998 to November 2007 and had previously held several ministerial positions in the NSW Legislative Assembly. He was appointed to head a review into international student education in Australia on 8 August 2009. See J Gillard (Minister for Education), Bruce Baird to head up international students review, media release, 8 August 2009, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FLFDU6%22; J Gillard (Minister for Education), Baird review into international students final report, media release, Canberra, 9 March 2010, viewed 20 April, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FWQ4W6%22; B Baird, Stronger, simpler, smarter ESOS: supporting international students, op. cit.; C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Minister welcomes Baird review, media release, Canberra, 9 March 2010, viewed 20 April 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FDSEW6%22
[49]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Budget: Government sharpens focus of skilled migration program, media release, 11 May 2010, viewed 12 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FQNOW6%22
[50]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), New Skilled Occupation List to meet Australia’s needs, media release, Canberra, 17 May 2010, viewed 17 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FCGQW6%22; DIAC, The new Skilled Occupation List (SOL), Fact sheet, DIAC website, May 2010, viewed 17 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/factsheet-new-sol.pdf; DIAC, Frequently asked questions, Fact sheet, DIAC website, May 2010, viewed 17 May 2010, http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/general-skilled-migration/pdf/faq-new-sol.pdf
[51]. Ibid.
[52]. B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 79; J Masanauskas, ‘Student wage squeeze: closed visa loophole gives bosses chance to exploit young’, Herald Sun, 21 April 2010, p. 22, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FZ7HW6%22
[53]. P Mares, ‘From queue to pool: skilled migration gets a makeover’, op.cit; and P Mares, ‘A blockage in the skilled migration pipeline’, op.cit; B Birrell and B Perry, ‘Immigration policy change and the international student industry’ op. cit., p. 75.
[54]. M Sainsbury and G Healy, ‘Foreign students sweat on visas’, The Australian, 1 May 2010, viewed 3 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FE1KW6%22; See also, J Ross, ‘International education could lose 21 per cent of its students’, Campus Review, 31 May 2010.
[55]. G Healy, ‘Recognise skills or lose top students, UA boss says’, The Australian, 5 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FOPLW6%22; J Ross, ‘Death by a thousand cuts’, Campus Review, vol. 20, no. 9, 11 May 2010, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FLLPW6%22
[56]. Ibid.
[57]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), Temporary suspension of certain offshore general skilled migration visas, media release, Canberra, 7 May 2010, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2FPCPW6%22
[58]. M Sainsbury and G Healy, ‘Foreign students sweat on visas’, op. cit.; G Healy, ‘Overseas students down 40 pc’, The Australian, 12 May 2010, viewed 12 May 2010, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/overseas-students-down-40pc/story-e6frg6nf-1225865219176
[59]. G Healy and S Thomsett, ‘Painful wait for the priority list of skills’, The Australian, 12 May 2010, viewed 12 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FQAOW6%22 and J Ross, ‘New migration list doesn’t resolve uncertainty’, Campus Review, vol. 20, no. 10, 25 May 2010, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2FQDVW6%22
[60]. C Evans (Minister for Immigration and Citizenship), New Skilled Occupations List to meet Australia’s economic needs, media release, op. cit.
[61]. B Birrell and E Healy, ‘The February 2010 reforms and the international student industry’, op. cit., p. 73; P Maley, ‘Hairdressers out as migrant skills get a trim’, The Australian, 17 May 2010, viewed 31 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FR0QW6%22
[62]. Y Narushima, ‘New migrant list will hit business’, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 2010, viewed 19 May 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2FOIQW6%22; A Trounson, ‘Steep slump in English spooks sector’, The Australian, 2 June 2010, viewed 2 June 2010, http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F89WW6%22
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