Australia shifts immigration policy focus to higher skills

Australia has rejected migrant applications by 20,000 low-skilled workers as part of a major overhaul of its immigration policy. The Australian government would also refund the fees of $12 million collected from these candidates.

Chris Evans, Australian minister looking after immigration affairs, said the government would now give priority to migrants with higher skills. The new rules would also require better English skills and target the "best and brightest," he said.

"We want to make sure we're getting the high-end applicants."

Evans said the immigration policy would focus on health workers, including more doctors and nurses, as well as engineering and mining professionals.

Australia, he said, would re-focus its immigration intake on high-skilled jobs critical to the economy that would help meet growing Chinese resource demand.

Major Australian companies, especially in the mining sector, like BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, have been expanding to meet China's growing demand for resources, but have been constrained in their efforts by skills shortage.