The Australian government has announced plans to overhaul its immigration policy aimed at attracting "people we need" and not by people who by the virtue of low-value education courses, seeks a permanent residency in the country.

Immigration minister Chris Evans said a new list of qualifications would be announced soon. The current immigration process is geared more towards education than skill driven, he said. The new rule will ensure that Australia will get people with skills and not people doing because of the course they study in Australia.

According to the minister, the previous lists on the immigration policy to not include the long term while the lists were being prepared.

He defended the new policy which he said was based on scientific analysis of facts.

"This is about making sure the people who come in on the migration programme have the skills we need, have the English levels we need and can get a job in that skilled area," he added

He explained that applicants with relevant qualification as per the available SOL list, would be eligible for independent general skilled migration.

"This SOL represents a new direction which aims to ensure we choose migrants who have the skills to meet our nation's economic needs," he said.

However, the new rule and the introduction of the SOL, will not affect earlier policies announced in February, particularly for former and current international students that seeks a visa under the General Skilled Migration (GSM) programme. The GSM provides a generous transition arrangement for applicants.

The new rule will also not affect international students who wish to study in Australia and seek qualification and then return to their home countries.