Oz losing its place as expat favourite

If you’re an expat professionals considering emigrating to Australia, you may be in the minority nowadays.

New statistics announced by Australian Immigration Minister Peter Dutton reveal immigration numbers are at a ten-year low after falling by 10 per cent compared with last year’s total. Since the minister took office, annual immigrant intake has fallen by 21,000 due to stricter visa regulations. In addition, the introduction of new integrity measures has resulted in a 46 per cent rise in refusals as well as a 17 per cent increase in would-be immigrants withdrawing their applications.

According to Dutton, the changes have restored border integrity and adjusted the country’s permanent migration programme to ensure only the best and most suitable migrants are allowed in. However, business groups don’t agree with the minister, saying the cuts are very ‘disappointing’ as skilled migrants are generating top benefits for the country and its people via their contributions to Australia’s skills base and its national employment levels. Australia Industry Group president Innes Wilcox told the media skilled migrants often bring in specialist knowledge and experience which deepen the country’s international linkages in addition to spearheading entrepreneurship.

According to an Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry spokesperson, the cuts will severely affect regional businesses in rural areas which serve regional communities, adding politicians’ plans to control population growth in Melbourne and Sydney have failed, leaving the regions to pay the price for lawmakers’ flawed attitudes towards skilled migration. Another concern is that toughening up on the granting of visas and work permits to skilled expats may well feed into a boycott of Australia as a base for expat entrepreneurs, especially those in the fields of tech and environmental sciences. As more world countries wake up to the need for exceptional expat talent in new sectors, Australia may need to question exactly what it’s offering to the brightest and best in today’s rapidly changing expatriate environment.