The OECD has recently published a report compiled by German think-tank, Bertelsmann Stiftung, on the effect of migration policy on the attractiveness of OECD countries to international talent.

“Migration policy” referred not only to ease of entry to a country, but change of status from temporary to permanent, acquisition of citizenship and “family-friendly” policies such as work rights for spouses and opportunities for children to remain long-term.

The report considered the optimum location for three groups of global talent: Highly Qualified Workers (with Masters or Doctorates), Entrepreneurs, and University Students.

Factors taken into consideration were grouped under Quality of Opportunities, Income and Tax, Future Prospects, Family Environment, Skills Environment, Inclusiveness, and Quality of Life.

For each of the three groups, the ranking of countries before and after migration policies were taken into account, was different.

Taking migration policies into consideration, Australia was ranked first in attractiveness for Highly Qualified Workers, 7th for Entrepreneurs and 6th for University Students.

This highlights the importance of migration policy in attracting global talent, and is especially relevant in the context of Australia’s skilled migration program, including the pilot Global Talent Scheme.

The full report is here and well worth reading.

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