The Government says it will better target visas for general practitioners to areas of doctor shortages.
From January the 1st next year, the Government will set a planning target of around 2,100 overseas trained doctors per annum to contribute to overall doctor numbers – a reduction of 200 GPs.
On the other hand, religious organisations will be able to employ migrants as bishops and ministers without contributing to a fund designed to support 300,000 Australian Apprenticeships.
The Turnbull government announced the Skilling Australians Fund in last year’s budget, where employers who hire a migrant worker under a temporary skills visa or an employer-nominated visa would be forced to pay a “levy” into the fund.
But 2018 Budget papers reveal religious groups will be exempted.