The 2012–13 immigration program: record numbers, city-bound

The Australian Government is running a record-high migration program, which it intends to increase in 2012–13. The justification is that the program is delivering migrants with scarce skills needed in the resources industries. However, none of the skilled permanent entry or temporary visa categories targets such migrants. Employers can sponsor migrants regardless of the industry, occupation or location of their workplace. The result is that just over half of the migrants currently being visaed are locating in Sydney and Melbourne, rather than in the resource industry states. Domestic Australian workers can expect increased competition for jobs from migrants at a time when there is little growth in employment in either Sydney or Melbourne.