Australian PR: New migrants lured to go regional and students promised scholarships

Announcing a 30,000 cut to annual permanent migrant numbers on Wednesday - as well as incentives to redirect newly-arrived workers and students to the regions - Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it was about “busting congestion”.

Immigration Minister David Coleman (left) and Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Source: AAP

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is cutting the annual migration intake by 30,000 places and introducing new regional visas forcing skilled workers to the bush.

Skilled workers will be able to apply for permanent residency if they live and work in regional areas for three years, in a bid to lure migrants from cities.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Immigration Minister David Coleman outlined the new approach to immigration on Wednesday, saying population was a "key component" to Australia's economy.

The government will use permanent residency as the bait to ensure skilled workers stay in regional Australia, with a 99 per cent compliance rate in an existing scheme.