Skilled migrants to spend 'at least a few years' in regional Australia under Morrison's population plan

New population minister Alan Tudge said up to 45 percent of permanent immigrants could be diverted to visas that force them to spend "at least a few years" in regional areas, or small states like South Australia

The government's plan will force migrants to live in regional Australia for up to five years. Source: AAP

The Morrison government has promised visa reforms that will force a significant chunk of Australia's annual intake of 190,000 permanent migrants to spend "at least a few years" in regional areas before they can move to a city like Sydney or Melbourne.

The move, advocated by the Nationals and key lobby groups like the Farmers’ Federation, is part of the government’s bid to tackle population growth in the country’s congested capitals while stimulating regional areas crying out for more labour.

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