The Morrison government is reportedly considering a major shift on immigration policy that would see the states given the leading role in requesting the number of skilled migrants they need each year.
The federal government sets an annual cap for skilled and family migration – currently at 190,000 – with skilled migrants distributed through a range of visa streams.
The Australian newspaper reports the shift has been discussed at “senior levels” of the Morrison government. SBS News has contacted the office of the Immigration Minister David Coleman, for comment.
Under the reported plan, the states would be asked to come to the federal government each year with a request for a number of skilled migrants.
They would be required to demonstrate they had sufficient infrastructure to handle the resulting population growth.
Australia’s annual intake of permanent migrants fell to its lowest level in a decade under the leadership of the Turnbull government.
Despite the cap remaining at 190,000 in the last financial year, where it has remained since 2011, the actual intake fell to 163,000 under the Turnbull government.
Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton said more rigorous vetting of family and skilled applicants had led to the decline.
The 20,000 drop from 2016/187 levels was driven by a 12,000 drop in skilled visa grants and an 8,000 drop in family visas.
Business groups responded with shock and disappointment, with the Australian Camber of Commerce and Industry describing the fall in skilled migration as a "crisis", particularly for regional employers.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed a new immigration minister, David Coleman, when he reshuffled the cabinet after the Liberal leadership spill.
The move took immigration out of Peter Dutton’s direct management, but Mr Coleman still reports to Mr Dutton under the Home Affairs hierarchy.
The government has flagged a new direction on population policy. It is also reportedly working on a change to direct more skilled migrants to regional Australia.
