LONDON, Feb. 29 (Xinhua) -- The biggest shake-up of Britain's immigration system in 45 years got underway on Friday with the introduction of a new points system to ensure only the best can work in Britain, new licenses for businesses who want to employ migrants and big on-the-spot fines for those not obeying the rules and found hiring illegal workers.

    Britain's Australian-style points system kicks-off with new rules for highly skilled foreign nationals currently working in Britain and who want to extend their stay. The scheme is designed to attract the most talented with the skills Britain needs to remain a global leader in the fields of finance, business and technological innovation.

    The government also introduced on Friday a licensing system for employers who want to recruit from overseas and bring skilled workers into Britain. No company will be granted a sponsor's licence without being approved in advance by the Border and Immigration Agency (BIA).

    Employers bringing in skilled workers under Tier 2 of the scheme which takes effect this autumn can now start applying for that licence.

    Home Secretary Jacqui Smith said: "The introduction of our Australian-style points system will ensure that only those with skills the country needs can come."

    According to Smith, Friday's proposals are part of the biggest changes to British immigration policy in a generation which include a new deal for those migrants seeking citizenship here, a new British Border Agency to strengthen controls at the border and the introduction of ID cards for foreign nationals.

    From Friday, rogue employers face civil penalties of up to 10,000 pounds (about 2,000 U.S. dollars) for each illegal worker they employ. Those found to have knowingly hired illegal workers could incur an unlimited fine and be sent to prison. The change comes as BIA stepped up action in 2007 against illegal working by 40 percent.

    Immigration Minister Liam Byrne said: "Today sees the start of our points system and the beginning of on-the-spot fines for businesses who employ illegal workers, introduced a day ahead of schedule."

    With the new compulsory identity cards for foreign nationals later in the year, he said, there can be no excuse for not checking the identity of those applying for jobs.

    "The key to shutting down illegal immigration is to shut down illegal jobs. Last year we stepped up our illegal working operations by 40 percent. Now our enforcement teams have a host of new powers to shut down dodgy bosses who draw illegal immigrants to Britain," said the minister.

    The government is also taking steps to target rogue employers through new legislation in the Employment Bill. The Bill proposes tough new penalties for businesses not paying workers the minimum wage and agencies which exploit workers and undercut legitimate business.

    This year will also see the establishment of a new British Border Agency to ensure Britain has one of the toughest borders in the world.

    Further measures include the introduction of a new system to count people in and out of Britain and ID cards to strengthen the British border and help keep out those who don't have the right to be here.