As reported by The Economic Times, due to an aging workforce and gaps in its IT, engineering, and medical sectors, Australia is encouraging skilled Indian professionals to apply for permanent residency. Indian nationals already comprise the second largest immigrant population in Australia, and currently the country’s medical system relies considerably on Indian healthcare professionals.

Although Australia recently decreased the number of available visas to skilled workers because of the economic downturn, this move is seen as temporary and numbers are expected to increase once the economy recovers. Australian officials note that even at lower numbers it is still running one of its biggest skilled migration programs in years.

Australia is also cracking down on scholastic institutions, particularly vocational schools, that do not provide adequate skills and language training to Indian students. Because a skills test will be required next year in addition to the English language test, the aim is to ensure that international students receive quality schooling that eventually will allow them to apply for permanent residency.