Emigrating to Australia

As a "skilled worker" you must be under 45 Have appropriate language ability Usually have post-secondary qualifications Pass the points test awarded for skills Alternatively, you can be sponsored by a relative Or qualify as a "distinguised talent"

The number of refugees allowed in will remain fixed at 12,000.

However, because fewer asylum seekers are arriving illegally by boat, Australia will provide for more refugees to be processed this year at its offshore detention camps.

While there will be more places for immigrants, the pass mark to gain entry as a skilled worker will rise by five points, Mr Ruddock said. Bonus points will be granted to those who migrate to regional Australia, away from overcrowded cities such as Sydney.

There will be 10,000 places for offshore refugees and 2,000 for those processed in Australia next year, Mr Ruddock said.

Mr Ruddock said that of the 1,259 still in detention centres in Australia itself, 824 were to be removed from Australia, while the remaining 435 had been rejected and were appealing.

Turning to the US

Australia's asylum policy has been strongly criticised by the UN and members of the international community. Australia has cited security concerns in its defence.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer unveiled plans on Tuesday to refocus the country's foreign policy, with greater emphasis on its ties with the United States.

Mr Downer said the primary trigger for the shift in policy was the terrorist attacks on 11 September.

But leader of the opposition Labor Party, Simon Crean, warned that Australia risks alienating itself from its Asian neighbours, who take 60% of its exports.