Ivan Lozano Mendez

The principal goal of this research is to review changes in skilled migration policy in Australia during the last decade as well as the economic and social context in which these changes have taken place. The focus of this research will be on national policy, as migration policy is the responsibility of the Federal government primarily - and thus policies are implemented at a national level. However, the study will also examine the impact of skilled migration policy on the Victorian labour market.

Understanding changes in migration policies are of important relevancy to employers, government and Australia in general, as such changes are shaping Australia's economy, labour market composition and society as a whole and will most likely continue to do so in the years to come. In addition, there is little knowledge around Government goals and agendas behind how visa quotas are quantitatively established on an annual basis and how they link to quantitative economic and social goals. Such gap in knowledge is highly relevant to identify weaknesses and opportunities around the skilled migration program, so the program can better establish objectives and measure outcomes that will benefit Australia's economy in the future.