Review of the skilled migration and 400 series visa programmes

The Department has released further information related to the Review of the skilled migration and 400 series visa programmes.

There are four broad review terms of reference:

• Review the effectiveness of the current skilled migration and 400 series visa programmes with the aim to reduce unnecessary red tape and impost on Australian business.
• Explore and develop, in consultation with key stakeholders, new and innovative skilled migration visa models to support Australia’s short and long term skilled migration needs while ensuring the primacy of Australian workers.
• Implement a new skilled migration visa framework that is supportive, flexible and responsive and which enriches the Australian economy through a well-managed skilled migration programme.
• Ensure that integrity is maintained and strengthened in a new skilled migration framework.

The review will be guided by the following six principles:

• Simplicity in design supports increased comprehension and usability.
• Structural flexibility is critical to ensure changing skilled migration needs can be met. 
• Employment outcomes should be a key driver for Australia's skilled migration programmes.
• Skilled migration must support and complement the Australian labour market.
• Integrity is essential to maintain the continued acceptance of a skilled migration programme.  
• Support the whole of government deregulation agenda to reduce red tape and regulatory costs for Australian business and industry.

The Department has prepared a discussion paper Reviewing the Skilled Migration and 400 Series Visa Programmes to further assist in this process.

The consultation process is divided into three phases: 

• Scoping and development – will seek input from key stakeholders on the current skilled migration and temporary activity visa frameworks and explore concept visa models.
• Refinement- will provide stakeholders with an opportunity to further contribute to any proposed skilled visa framework.
• Implementation - will share understanding and raise awareness of the new visa frameworks.