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Media release from the Australian government, 23 March 2004.
The Australian Government recently announced that it will introduce a new visa for skilled migrants who are prepared to live and work in regional Australia.
From 1 July 2004, eligible people who want to come to Australia as skilled migrants will be able to obtain a three-year temporary residence visa (Temporary Skilled-Independent Regional Migration Visa) if they commit to living and working in regional Australia.
After two years, they will be able to apply for permanent residency.
There are reports that migration agents and media operating in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) have misrepresented this initiative, claiming that Australia is seeking migrants for regional areas and that there will be no skills or English language requirements.
Agents are allegedly taking money from people to 'put them on the list' for migration.
Under the new visa type, existing minimum requirements for skilled migration will still need to be met. Applicants will need to:
- be under 45 years of age when they apply,
- have at least vocational English,
- nominate an occupation on the Skilled Occupations List (a skilled occupation), and
- be found suitable for that occupation by the relevant Australian assessing authority
- have recent work experience in a skilled occupation, or
- have recently completed an Australian qualification.
The new visa is aimed only at skilled migrants who can meet the minimum requirements for the visa. People who cannot meet these requirements should not apply.
