Following the government’s release of the Australian Budget for 2021 - 2022, we summarise the key aspects impacting immigration Australia and our predictions for next year.

Migration Planning Levels

The migration program planning levels remain at 160,000 places available from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023 which means there has been no changes to the overall numbers.

Despite this, the numbers in the Skilled category have been redistributed with 10,700 places moving from the Employer Sponsored, Business Innovation and Investor and Global Talent schemes across to the State and Territory Nomination and Skilled Independent streams:

International Borders – Closed

International borders remain close until mid-2022 - unless travellers are Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, NZ citizens that normally reside in Australia, their family members (spouse, de facto partner, children), or others that can obtain a travel exemption.

It is expected that small numbers of students will start to enter Australia at the end of 2021, gradually increasing in 2022.

International Student Visa Holders – Work Cap Lifted

Student visa holders working in the hospitality and tourism sectors will have the 40hr per fortnight restriction lifted from their visa conditions.

This is good news for students but, could be a factor in slowing the processing of undecided employer sponsorship applications from within these sectors.

408 Visa Applicants – Work Rights and Longer Stay

Until recently, 408 visa applicants submitting their application as a result of COVID-19, were not given work rights unless they had a job offer in a critical sectors such as agriculture, health care, aged care, disability care, child care and food processing. Without work rights, their visa was valid for 3 months.

Now, those with job offers in the hospitality and tourism sectors can also be granted work rights and a stay period up to 12 months.

Furthermore, applicants may now apply with 90 days remaining on their visa. This is an increase from the 28 day period initially required.

Sponsored Temporary Parent 870 Visa

These visas can now be extended for another 18 months for parents who have been able to use their visas due to the COVID-19 travel restrictions

Refugee and Funding for Women’s Safety

The Australian Government will maintain the Humanitarian Program at 13,750 places despite planning levels for the previous year having not been met.

However, additional funding will be given to support services to help women who hold temporary visas and experience family violence.

Access to Government Payments – Waiting Times Extended

Australian permanent residence granted from 1 January 2022, will be required to wait four years for most welfare payments. Generally, the wait period is 2 years so, this cost-cutting measure is expected to save the government $671mil over 5 years.

Currently, there are approximately 13,000 migrants with carers and parents expected to feel the most impact from this change.

Conclusion

While the overall migration planning levels remain the same, there have been some adjustment of numbers with the State and Territory Nomination and Skilled Independent streams acquiring 10,700 more places from the Employer Sponsorship, Business Innovation and Investor, and Global Talent schemes. Our prediction is that from 1 July 2022, these adjustments could result in the backlog of Expression of Interest (EOI) applications finally seeing more movement, for onshore General Skilled Migration (GSM). Whichever program or stream, priority consideration continues to be given to those working in critical sectors.

If you would like to know more about how the Budget will impact your visa options contact us today, to discuss further.