New Delhi:
Looking to tap the best of minds and skilled workforce from India and other countries, Australia today announced a new migration programme based on 'expression of interest' model and revisions in skilled migration point system.
While the new model will filter applicants fulfilling the country's requirement, it will also reduce processing time and facilitate fast movement of skilled workers down south.
A cap on the number of migrants will be put in each occupation under the programme, kicking off on July 1, 2012.
"The target groups are engineering, medical profession, nursing, scientist etc," said assistant secretary of Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship Peter Speldewinde.
The expression of interest (EOI) will be an online process for skilled migration to Australia. Prospective applicants will provide basic biographical and other information such as occupation, details of work experience and level of English language ability on the online form.
They would subsequently be invited to make a visa application if they have the skills and qualifications needed in the Australian labour market.
This is a marked shift from the present situation as applicants for independent, family or state sponsored migration will be required to receive an invitation in order to lodge a visa application.
"The EOIs will be held on a register and people on that register will be ranked according to what point they score. Australian government would periodically issue advertisement about the job offers and those with high scores on the points test would be invited," he said.