1. Reform the points test
∙ Change the way points are offered based on the applicant’s age.
∙ Offer more points to applicants with higher degrees, excellent English language skills, and/or skilled spouses.
∙ Abolish bonus points for Australian study, regional study, a professional year, and specialist education qualifications.
∙ Offer points for any high-skilled employment experience and especially for high-paying Australian work experience.
∙ Make points-tested visas available to applicants who can satisfy a skills assessment for any skill level 1, 2, or 3 occupation.
∙ Set the minimum points floor for qualifying for a points-tested visa to 300 points.
∙ Guarantee an invitation to apply for a visa to applicants with at least 400 points.
∙ Apply ranked choice selection to the allocation of all permanent points-tested visas.
2. Abolish state and regional points-tested visas
∙ Abolish state and regional points-test visas and expand the number of skilled independent visas granted each year.
∙ State governments should instead invest more in supporting employers, including state government employers, to make use of employer sponsorship to secure the skilled workers they need.
∙ Retain regional employer-sponsored visas, pending the findings of a review.
3. Reform the skills recognition process
∙ The federal government should commission a review of the skills assessment and occupational licensing processes.
4. Invest more in attracting skilled migrants to Australia and supporting them when they arrive
∙ The federal, state, and territory governments should invest more in attracting skilled migrants to choose Australia and helping them settle and thrive in Australia.
5. Strengthen the evidence base for skilled migration
∙ Review the points test regularly, including via an independent analysis of the outcomes of skilled migrants in Australia using linked administrative data.
∙ Boost the analytical resources within the Department of Home Affairs, to better inform migration policy design.
∙ Establish a new body, similar to the UK’s Migration Advisory Committee, to offer independent advice to government on visa policy changes.
∙ Review visa charges every two years.