Effective February 2008, Australia is expected to impose a new integration policy on certain visa applicants.

The new policy will require immigration officials to consider whether the visa applicant will be able to integrate into Australian society, based on English skills, attitude towards learning English, adaptability, resourcefulness, and knowledge of Australia.

The new requirement would be imposed on visas that could lead to permanent resident status. Visas for partners, children and and temporary, skilled worker visas are exempt, but humanitarian visa applicants are subject to the new requirement.

See Values-before-visa rule for migrants, The Age, August 1, 2007, for more information.