A new study says skilled migrants are enjoying better jobs and higher levels of employment thanks to a shift in policy.

The paper says recent federal governments have improved employment outcomes by increasing the number of employer sponsorships available and tightening selection criteria.

Stats show skilled migrants employed as managers and professionals have increased by five percent since 2005. The numbers covered the first year of employment for migrants entering Australia.

Co-author of the study, University of Melbourne’s Dr Hielke Buddelmeyer, says allowing more employers to sponsor migrant workers is like subcontracting migrant selection to the employers themselves, which encourages higher employability.

“In the mid 2000s the government selected four skilled migrants for every one selected by employers but now that division is approximately equal,” Dr Buddelmeyer said.

“The shift from a ‘supply-driven’ to a ‘hybrid’ model values survival of the fittest. It ensures applicants who may not have the strongest skill sets on paper but who are highly employable are still afforded the opportunity to seek sponsorship.

“This results in more stability and better employment outcomes for both migrant workers and their employers.

“There is increased emphasis on English language skills and work experience which has also resulted in the successful applicants falling into a slightly older age group,” he said.

“The next step will be to examine employment over an extended period, but so far the results suggest the government’s approach to policy has significantly improved employment outcomes for skilled migrants and is something Australia should be very proud of.”

The study is available here, in PDF form.