News

Enhancing regional communities through skilled migration

01/08/2004

Skilled migrants help fill critical skill shortages and contribute both economically and socially to regional communities. The Australian Government is committed to attracting more skilled migrants to regions in Australia where they are needed the most, and has a range of regional migration programs. In partnership with State, Territory and Local Governments and regional authorities, the Australian Government continues to implement new regional migration initiatives to encourage skilled migration. These programs allow skilled migrants to experience the opportunities and lifestyles of Australia’s regions while making significant contributions to the areas in which they settle.

The programs also include flexible skill requirements that recognise the special circumstances of rural and regional areas. They support employers unable to source skilled workers locally while assisting young, skilled, English speaking migrants to relocate to areas of need around Australia. This means employers and governments are able to address their skill shortages and address their development objectives.

Launched on 1 July 2004, the Skilled Independent Regional (SIR) visa is the newest initiative for regional migration. The SIR visa will help regional and low population growth areas attract, and retain, skilled migrants.

It provides for prospective skilled migrants with an interest in living and working in regional Australia. The visa also gives overseas students who have studied in Australia a chance to stay and contribute to regional growth.

SIR visa holders may apply for permanent residency via schemes such as the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) once they have been living in regional Australia for two years and employed for one year. Employers can also sponsor employees directly using the RSMS. This scheme supports regional employers by allowing them to seek full time employees when the positions cannot be filled locally.

If employers need help finding suitable skilled workers the web-based Skill Matching Database (SMD) may be of assistance. This database includes the occupational and personal details of potential migrants. These migrants want to be matched either to specific jobs in regional Australia (through the RSMS) or to areas with employment opportunities appropriate to their skills.

Individuals listed on the SMD are ready to start work, having satisfied the criteria for entrance to Australia in the areas of qualification, work experience, age and English language proficiency. There are also temporary business entry arrangements which provide a fast, flexible way to recruit skilled workers for up to four years. Many employers go on to sponsor their employee permanently under the RSMS.

Areas covered by regional initiatives

Regional migration initiatives generally cover all areas of Australia except the major metropolitan areas of Sydney, Newcastle, Wollongong, Melbourne, Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Perth. The SIR visa also excludes the ACT and the NSW Central Coast.

More information about these initiatives is available on the DIMIA web site at www.immi.gov.au/migration/regional

Regional Outreach Officers (ROOs)

In order to promote regional migration options around Australia, a network of Regional Outreach Officers (ROOs) has been established. The officers are based in the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs’ (DIMIA) business centres in each state and territory. ROOs work closely with State, Territory and Local Governments, regional authorities, business and employer networks to help address skill shortages. ROOs have a pivotal role in raising awareness and supporting state specific and regional migration initiatives.