Morrison to slash migration levels by 30,000

The number of permanent migrants accepted into Australia each year is expected to be capped at 160,000, 30,000 fewer than previous targets.

Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs David Coleman (L) and Prime Minister Scott Morrison (R) Source: Vatsal Patel/SBS Gujarati

The federal government is expected to announce a planned reduction in immigration levels.

The Australian newspaper is reporting federal cabinet has signed off on a plan to cut the immigration cap to 160 thousand people per year, down from the current 190 thousand people per year.

It's also being reported a regional settlement policy will be introduced that will require a certain number of skilled migrants to live for at least five years in cities other than Sydney or Melbourne, in a bid to reduce congestion in those two cities.

Under the plan, the government will provide incentives for foreign students to attend Australian universities other than those in Sydney and Melbourne.

More in English via SBS News.