【2020-2021 Financial Year Federal Budget】World of Migrants Turned upside down? Don’t Worry, They Change Their Policies We Change Our Strategies! Solutions Will Always Outnumber Problems !

On 06 October 2020, Australian government has handed down the federal budget 2020-2021 which aims to recover the Australian economy. 2020-2021 migration planning level has also been released shortly after the federal budget announcement.

Highlights

In 2020 – 2021, the planning level for permanent resident visas will remain at 160,000 places.
The family stream planning level has been increased from 47,732 to 77,300 places in which 72,300 places are allocated for partner category which occupies 93.53% of the family stream allocations.
The Global Talent Independent program (GTI) has been allocated 15,000 places for 2020-2021, which is tripled compared to last financial year.
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) has increased to 13,500 places, which is nearly doubled compared to last financial year.
With increases to GTI, Family and Business, there will be less places available for general skilled migration. It is estimated that the places allocated for 189, 190 and 491 will be reduced to no more than 20,000, which is over 40% decline compared to last financial year.
The government is expected to lower the income eligibility requirement (currently $53,900) for 189 New Zealand stream applicants. It is now only required to meet the income threshold for at least three out of the last five income years. (previously the threshold is for the last 5 years) With the application for 189 New Zealand stream becomes easier, the regular 189/190 applications may become more competitive.
The employer sponsored visas, CTI program and business visas will be prioritised.

Solutions

Skilled Migration

Skilled migration has been hit hard in this reform. So, in current circumstance, is there any advantage still available for applicants? Is there any feasible option to choose from?

Critical Sectors are Prioritised

Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Australian government has been giving priority to applicants engaged in critical sectors. Therefore, even if the overall places are greatly reduced, applicants working in industries such as healthcare and manufacturing that can play an important role in the economic recovery of Australia after the pandemic still enjoy certain advantages.

Onshore Applicants Enjoy an Absolute Advantage over Offshore Applicants　

The interim plans of many States even clearly stated that they will not accept offshore applications. Although the specific policy for the long term has not yet been introduced, it is estimated that this situation will not change much until the COVID-19 vaccine is available for everyone, and Australia opens its borders.

Solutions　

Offshore applicants can for now shift their focus from State sponsored visas to employer sponsored visas. Applicants whose occupations are on the skilled occupation list may consider apply for 186 or 482 to 186. If your occupation is not on the list, you can consider 494 to 191; if you have less than 3 years of work experience, you can start from 482 and then 494 to 191.

Onshore applicants who have insufficient work experience can apply for 407, and then 482 to 494/186; applicants with enough work experience may apply for 482, then 186/486/494, they can also apply for 491 at the same time.

In short, avoid applications that require EOI. As long as your visa application is submitted, it will invariably be processed in the end. Also, visa processing will take a period of time, which means when the immigration officer finally processes the application, it is likely that it will no longer be subject to the limitation imposed when the application was originally submitted. In contrast, EOI will always be limited by certain requirements.

Partner Visa

The places for partner visas have been increased significantly, and processing time may be shortened. But at the same time, the Australian government has introduced some additional requirements for application. So, how to make the best use of the advantages brought by the policy and avoid further requirements and restrictions may be brought by future announcements?

Procedure Requirements

The government will apply the family sponsorship framework to partner visas which will mandate character checks and the sharing or personal information as part of a mandatory sponsorship application, and subject the sponsor to enforceable sponsorship obligations. These changes will complement existing family violence provisions within the partner visa program.

English Language Requirements

The government will introduce English language requirements for partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsor. These changes will support English language acquisition and enhance social cohesion and economic participation outcomes. The requirements for the visa applicants are quite reasonable, however, the rationale for requiring the sponsor to meet the language requirements is not clear for now.

Lodge Application in a Timely Fashion

Applicants planning to apply for partner visa are advised to act as soon as possible, so that while enjoying the favourable conditions brought by the substantial increase in allocated places, applicants can avoid the more restrictive requirements that may be introduced in the near future. However, it should be noted that the processing time for partner visa applications has always been quite long, and currently there is still a large backlog of applications. So, although the processing may be accelerated, it is necessary to prepare for a long waiting time.

Business Visa

As the places allocated for business migration have nearly doubled, it is expected that nomination may become easier. However, at this stage, we still need to look for the right strategy to ensure a successful application.

Priority is Given to Business that are Conducive to Australia’s Economic Recovery

The required investment amount for the business is expected to increase in the future. In addition, business that are conducive to Australia’s recovery after the pandemic – such as increasing local employment and promoting the production of necessary hygiene materials such as masks – will be given priority.

Therefore, 188 visa applicants are advised to prove that they can contribute to or intend to contribute to critical sectors now in Australia. It will be best to come to Australia to investigate about current social demand, and to make a specific business plan.

132 Visa is Always the First Choice

The 188 visa may be issued to people who invest more money to their business. If you can meet the application requirements of the 132 visa, make it your first choice, which can also effectively avoid the EOI application.

GTI Program

The Australian government will focus on attracting highly skilled professionals to work and live permanently in Australia in this calendar year. This is also in line with the entire budget’s emphasis on Australia’s economic reconstruction after the pandemic.

Therefore, applicants with a high level of skill can consider the GTI program if they cannot meet some of the mandatory requirements of regular skilled immigration such as age, or if they simply want to avoid the increased difficulty of skilled migration applications.