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Reflections on Australia’s Skilled Migration Policy

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  • Peter E. Robertson

    (School of Economics, The University of New South Wales)

Abstract

This paper outlines some recent points of debate over the economic impact of skilled migration on Australia. It is argued that the national gains from an increase in skilled immigration are likely to be small but there are significant effects on income distribution. Recent general equilibrium modeling results are used to show that the skill based immigration programme is a blunt instrument for targeting particular skills needs and may have many potential unintended consequences including the “crowding-out” of higher education in Australia.

Suggested Citation

  • Peter E. Robertson, 2007. "Reflections on Australia’s Skilled Migration Policy," Discussion Papers 2007-22, School of Economics, The University of New South Wales.
    • Handle: RePEc:swe:wpaper:2007-22
    as

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    File URL: http://wwwdocs.fce.unsw.edu.au/economics/Research/WorkingPapers/2007_22.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    Migration; Skilled immigration; Human capital; Education;
    All these keywords.

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