Australia: Stricter Tests for Migrants

Migrants to Australia will face more scrutiny of their ability to integrate into Australian society, the Minister for Immigration, Kevin Andrews, has said. Mr Andrews said the Government would put more emphasis on new “integration criteria” when assessing applications from people seeking to settle in Australia on a long-term basis.

Factors to be taken into account when considering the ability of would-be migrants to integrate would include an assessment of the applicants’ adaptability and resourcefulness. Immigration officials would also consider applicants’ knowledge of Australia, their expectations about living here, their English language skills and attitudes to learning English.

Mr Andrews said the integration criteria would apply to those seeking permanent or provisional visas, including humanitarian visas, which lead to permanent residency. Those seeking temporary skilled worker visas would be exempt.

Mr Andrews said that in the past almost all migrants had come to Australia from places with liberal democratic traditions. “Now people come from a range of different traditions,” he said.

The move follows the requirement for people seeking citizenship to pass a test of their knowledge and acceptance of “Australian values”.

In a speech at the Sydney Institute last night, Mr Andrews said immigration would remain critical to the country’s prosperity but promoting integration was essential to ensuring immigration’s continued success.

Migrants who fail to show willingness to integrate into Australian society will be denied a permanent visa and face being sent back to their home country.