Cairns and Far North Queensland will benefit from changes to Australia’s regional migration settings after the Morrison Government increased the number of dedicated regional visas to 25,000.
Following unprecedented growth (124 per cent) in the number of regional visas granted in the first quarter of this programme year, the government is increasing the total number of regional places to 25,000.
Cairns and Far North Queensland will have access to these 25,000 regional places as well as priority processing and international university graduates who live and study in the region will be eligible to apply for more time in Australia on a post-study work visa.
The boost in regional migration forms a central plank of the government’s plan for managing Australia’s future population.
Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the government’s regional migration settings will assist local business attract skilled migrants.
He said it will ease the pressures in our three largest capital cities – Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane – while providing incentives for migrants to live and work in our smaller cities and regional areas who want growth.
“Australia is the most successful multicultural nation in the world and we proudly recognise and celebrate the important role that migrants play in Far North Queensland,” Mr Entsch said.
“More people living and working in Far North Queensland means more people buying local and contributing to the local economy, as well as the community more broadly.”
Federal Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister David Coleman said the government would continue to with work State and Territory Governments and regional communities to ensure Australia’s migration system met the needs of regional Australia.
“We know areas of regional Australia want to grow – grow their economies, grow their education sectors and grow their communities,” Mr Coleman said.
“We will continue to review our regional migration settings to ensure they continue to support regional Australia.”
To ensure the Government meets its targets and continues to support regional Australia, the Government has deployed Regional Outreach Officers to the regions to promote skilled migration initiatives and provide dedicated support to regional employers, helping them understand their skilled visa options.
