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Fewer S'poreans getting Aussie PR
The list of eligible occupations has been cut from over 400 to 183
By Melissa Kok
SINGAPOREANS who want to move to Australia are finding it tougher to qualify for permanent residency (PR) due to recent changes to the country's immigration policies.
The group hit hardest by the immigration reforms are those who are applying independently as skilled immigrants.
Most Singaporeans seeking to emigrate to Australia - a popular destination for Singaporean immigrants - go through this route.
Immigration agents told The Straits Times that the number of Singaporeans now eligible for PR has dipped by between 20 per cent and 60 per cent since the changes kicked in.
In July this year, the Australian government introduced a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) to meet skills shortages.
The move comes amid concerns in Australia that the country had been attracting too many hairdressers and cooks, and too few doctors and engineers.
The new list cut down the number of listed occupations - which covered managerial, professional, technical and trade jobs - from more than 400 in the old list to just 183 now.
Occupations that were axed included finance managers and IT-related professions such as project managers and administrators.
The move reduces the number of people who could be eligible for PR, as an applicant must have skills and qualifications for an occupation on the new list. They must also be aged between 18 and 45, and have good English language ability, among other requirements.
'Previously, we have had Singaporeans who can work as HR managers and office managers qualify for PR, but now those occupations have been taken off the list, so it is harder for them,' said Mr Pearce Cheng, a migration and relocation consultant at Aims Immigration Specialist.
Immigration agents say interest among Singaporeans in emigrating overseas has grown over the years.
Their main reasons for wanting to leave include the higher cost of living, lack of work-life balance and overcrowding in Singapore.
Those who want to make the move to Australia are usually working professionals in their 30s or 40s with young children.
However, the number of Singaporeans granted Australian PR has come down in the past few years: Last year, 2,073 Singaporeans were granted PR, down from 2,245 in 2008, 2,267 in 2007 and 3,538 in 2006.
The reasons for the dip in numbers are unclear, but the downward trend looks set to continue with the reforms.
Mr James Alan Hall, a registered migration agent for the Australia Migration Agency, noted that only 15 per cent to 20 per cent of his potential clients qualify for PR now, compared to 80 per cent last year.
For Aims, around 80 per cent of the potential clients were eligible for PR last year. Now, just 50 per cent to 60 per cent qualify.
However, Mr Cheng added that some Australian state and territory governments implemented state immigration plans this month which allow them to nominate skilled immigrants with occupations not on the SOL.
'So, if they (clients) don't have an occupation on the main list, but it is on one of the states' migration list like Victoria's, maybe they can apply for a state-sponsored permanent visa,' he said.
But the rules could get even more stringent next July as Australia is expected to roll out a new points test to assess independent skilled immigrants, which will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and high-level qualifications.
Other popular migration destinations among Singaporeans, such as Canada and Britain, have also begun tightening their migration policies.
On the other hand, the New Zealand government has been on a drive to attract skilled migrants from Singapore since the start of this year.
Among those considering a move to the South Pacific is a 34-year-old human resources manager who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan.
Ms Tan, who wants to emigrate to Australia for better education opportunities for her two young daughters, said she will consider New Zealand if her application is rejected.
She said: 'My children have special needs, so the education system in Singapore is not very ideal for them, it can be too stressful. I think I would still try for New Zealand, even though it will take a longer time.'
[email protected]
The list of eligible occupations has been cut from over 400 to 183
By Melissa Kok
SINGAPOREANS who want to move to Australia are finding it tougher to qualify for permanent residency (PR) due to recent changes to the country's immigration policies.
The group hit hardest by the immigration reforms are those who are applying independently as skilled immigrants.
Most Singaporeans seeking to emigrate to Australia - a popular destination for Singaporean immigrants - go through this route.
Immigration agents told The Straits Times that the number of Singaporeans now eligible for PR has dipped by between 20 per cent and 60 per cent since the changes kicked in.
In July this year, the Australian government introduced a new Skilled Occupations List (SOL) to meet skills shortages.
The move comes amid concerns in Australia that the country had been attracting too many hairdressers and cooks, and too few doctors and engineers.
The new list cut down the number of listed occupations - which covered managerial, professional, technical and trade jobs - from more than 400 in the old list to just 183 now.
Occupations that were axed included finance managers and IT-related professions such as project managers and administrators.
The move reduces the number of people who could be eligible for PR, as an applicant must have skills and qualifications for an occupation on the new list. They must also be aged between 18 and 45, and have good English language ability, among other requirements.
'Previously, we have had Singaporeans who can work as HR managers and office managers qualify for PR, but now those occupations have been taken off the list, so it is harder for them,' said Mr Pearce Cheng, a migration and relocation consultant at Aims Immigration Specialist.
Immigration agents say interest among Singaporeans in emigrating overseas has grown over the years.
Their main reasons for wanting to leave include the higher cost of living, lack of work-life balance and overcrowding in Singapore.
Those who want to make the move to Australia are usually working professionals in their 30s or 40s with young children.
However, the number of Singaporeans granted Australian PR has come down in the past few years: Last year, 2,073 Singaporeans were granted PR, down from 2,245 in 2008, 2,267 in 2007 and 3,538 in 2006.
The reasons for the dip in numbers are unclear, but the downward trend looks set to continue with the reforms.
Mr James Alan Hall, a registered migration agent for the Australia Migration Agency, noted that only 15 per cent to 20 per cent of his potential clients qualify for PR now, compared to 80 per cent last year.
For Aims, around 80 per cent of the potential clients were eligible for PR last year. Now, just 50 per cent to 60 per cent qualify.
However, Mr Cheng added that some Australian state and territory governments implemented state immigration plans this month which allow them to nominate skilled immigrants with occupations not on the SOL.
'So, if they (clients) don't have an occupation on the main list, but it is on one of the states' migration list like Victoria's, maybe they can apply for a state-sponsored permanent visa,' he said.
But the rules could get even more stringent next July as Australia is expected to roll out a new points test to assess independent skilled immigrants, which will emphasise the importance of English, work experience and high-level qualifications.
Other popular migration destinations among Singaporeans, such as Canada and Britain, have also begun tightening their migration policies.
On the other hand, the New Zealand government has been on a drive to attract skilled migrants from Singapore since the start of this year.
Among those considering a move to the South Pacific is a 34-year-old human resources manager who wanted to be known only as Ms Tan.
Ms Tan, who wants to emigrate to Australia for better education opportunities for her two young daughters, said she will consider New Zealand if her application is rejected.
She said: 'My children have special needs, so the education system in Singapore is not very ideal for them, it can be too stressful. I think I would still try for New Zealand, even though it will take a longer time.'
[email protected]
