EXPLANATORY STATEMENT
Migration Regulations 1994
- This Instrument is made under regulation 1.17 of Part 1 and items 6A1001 and 6A1002 of Schedule 6A to the Migration Regulations 1994 (‘the Regulations’).
2. Regulation 1.17 of the Regulations provides that the Minister may, by notice published in the Gazette, specify matters required by individual provisions of the Regulations to be specified for the purpose of those provisions.
3. Schedule 6A to the Regulations sets out the qualifications and points for the general points test as it applies to the skilled migration visas. Relevantly, Part 10 of Schedule 6A sets out how additional points may be gained by people who have studied in ‘regional Australia’ and ‘low-population growth metropolitan areas’.
4. This Instrument revokes and replaces the previous instrument signed by the Minister and dated 31 March 2005.
5. The purpose of the Instrument is to modify the list of postcodes in Schedule 2 of the Instrument that are in ‘regional Australia’ or ‘low-population growth metropolitan areas’ and to specify those postcodes that form ‘regional Australia’ and ‘low population growth metropolitan areas’ for the purposes of allocating 5 additional points under the general points test.
6. The Instrument operates to specify educational institutions, campuses and postcodes that form ‘regional Australia’ or a ‘low-population growth metropolitan area’ for the purpose of allocating 5 additional points under the general points test.
7. This Instrument does not substantially alter existing arrangements however, State and Territory governments were consulted with regards to any changes to the postcodes listed in Schedule 2 of the Instrument.
8. The Instrument commences on the first moment of the day following the day when the Instrument is registered (the default commencement, paragraph 12(1)(d) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 refers).