Temporary migration: Beyond apple picking and tour guides

Navigating stakeholder demands for policy with real development impact
30 September 2011On September the 8th, the Australian government announced changes to its Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme (PSWPS). In broadening and deepening Australia’s primary development-orientated migration scheme, this move demonstrated a commitment to improving the development impact of Australian migration policy. As such, it is in accordance with a large and growing body of literature advocating greater labour mobility as a key way for the developed world to help the developing. Yet the government’s current approach does not take full advantage of migration’s considerable effect on development.

Key Points:

  • Australian temporary migration policy is increasingly reflecting a commitment to overseas development
  • However, expanding low-skilled migration could have substantially greater impact yet
  • Due to the political complexity of migration reform, there is a need to chart alternative reform options
  • This brief reviews three such options: Expanding the current 457 visa, introducing a General Low-Skilled Program, or introducing Sector-Specific Programs
  • Tentatively, it seems Sector-Specific Programs may be the most promising avenue for development-promoting reform

Topic Guides

Topic Guides are designed to be a starting point for those wishing to gain an overview of a particular issue, while also identifying sources for a more in-depth analysis and coverage of that topic.

Noticeboard

22 March 2012

The Attorney-General's Department has launched a new inquiry to explore the scope for reforming Australian contract law. There will be a three-month consultation period.

07 March 2012

In May 2011 the Federal Government announced that the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) would commence operations from 1 July 2012 and that it would initially be responsible for determining the legal status of groups seeking charitable, public benevolent institution, and other not-for-profit (NFP) benefits on behalf of all Commonwealth agencies. 

07 February 2012
The Productivity Commission has been asked to report within 8 months on Default Superannuation Funds in Modern Awards. The inquiry covers the design of criteria for the selection and ongoing assessment of superannuation funds for nomination as default funds in modern awards.