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The government announced as part of the Federal Budget on May 8 that Australia's migration program would increase by 5000 places from 185 000 to 190 000 places in 2012-13. The breakdown of places is as follows.
SKILL STREAM
β’ The skill stream has increased by 3400 places over 2011-12 to 129 250 places - a 2.7 per cent increase.
β’ It is comprised of:
o 47 250 employer-sponsored places (compared with 46 000 in 2011-12), of which up to 16 000 places are reserved for the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
o 45 550 skilled independent places (compared with 44 350 in 2011-12)
o 24 650 skilled state and territory-sponsored places (compared with 24 000 in 2011-12)
o 4200 skilled Australian sponsored places (compared with 4100 in 2011-12)
o 200 places for the distinguished talent category (unchanged) and
o 7400 business skills places (compared to 7200 in 2011-12).
FAMILY STREAM
β’ The family stream has increased by 1585 places over 2011-12 (2.7 per cent) to 60 185 places.
β’ It is comprised of:
o 46 325 places in the partner category (compared with 45 400 in 2011-12)
o 3850 places in the child category (compared with 3450 in 2011-12)
o 1285 places in the other family category (compared with 1250 in 2011-12) and
o 8725 parent category places, of which:
βͺ 6575 are for contributory parent migrants (compared to 6500 in 2011-12)
βͺ 2150 are for non-contributory parent migrants (compared to 2 000 in 2011-12).