As Australia’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic continues on, they are also looking to ramp up immigration as part of their economic recovery plan. Here is a round-up of some major immigration changes that have been announced recently.
Migration to Australia has dropped significantly since the beginning of COVID-19. This is caused by widespread travel bans and border closures, but it’s expected to rise again in 2022.
The Treasury’s mid-year economic update shows that while net overseas migration is expected to be around minus 41,000 people in 2021-22, it is projected to climb up 180,000 people in 2022-23 (almost double the previous estimate).
Australia’s yearly migration program runs from July 1 to June 30 each year. The 2024-25 forecast is set at 235,000 people, even though it still remains a lower number than the previous year.
Which visa holders can currently enter Australia?
Australia’s borders reopened to eligible international students and certain skilled visa holders on 15 December 2021 – almost six months earlier than forecast in the federal budget.
Australian citizens and permanent residents can also enter Australia, and their immediate family members can apply for an exemption to enter.
More opportunities for temporary visa holders
The 2021-22 planning level was maintained at 160,000 places and carried over the composition from the previous year, meaning there were 79,600 places for the Skill stream, 77,300 for Family, 100 for Special Eligibility and 3,000 for children. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke said there were about 20,000 visa holders who may benefit from the changes.
Permanent residency for skilled migrants in health and hospitality
In November 2021, the government announced significant visa changes to retain highly skilled migrants in critical sectors as part of its economic recovery. Under the changes, certain migrants who have chosen to stay and work in Australia during the pandemic will be eligible for permanent residency.
The changes may benefit existing Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa holders in the short-term stream, who were previously restricted to a two-year stay without such a pathway. Mr Hawke said there were about 20,000 visa holders who may benefit from the changes.
The changes announced on 25 November 2021 will be implemented progressively from December 2021 through to 1 July 2022. Mr Watt said the changes will make a huge difference for those who have been living and working in the major cities in certain hospitality jobs and struggled to progress to permanent residency.
He said it has been a bitter pill for these people to swallow when they are desperately needed and then there has been no pathway for them to get permanent residency. It stops the cruelty of that situation and also provides a great incentive for more people to pursue that pathway.”
The nature of the migration industry is that it changes constantly and never stays the same. We understand that not everything will always be easy for migrants, especially with all these latest announcements on new visa options and immigration news. To find out more about your current or next move to Australia, speak to one of our MARA registered migration consultants.
