July 29th, 2023 at 12:05 am
Major Changes in Australia Immigration July 2023 | Permanent Migration
Did you know that the Australian government previously stated there would be 190,000 spots available within its permanent migration program from 2023 to 2024?
The government established the 2023–24 permanent migration program to address ongoing and emerging skill shortages and to draw people with specialized skill sets that are difficult to acquire or develop in Australia.
The permanent migration program will support the Australian economy by encouraging resilience, boosting productivity, and fostering economic growth while Australia is building a local pipeline of highly skilled workers. The 2023–24 permanent migration program recognizes the important contribution that all immigrants make to societal cohesion. the components of the permanent migration program
The Skill Stream (137,100 slots or around 72%)
The purpose of the initiative is to increase economic output and address skill shortages in the labor market, particularly in regional Australia.
Family Stream (52,500 slots or around 28% of the program)
Australians can obtain citizenship through this stream and reconcile with relatives who reside abroad. The bulk of the available places in this stream are on partner visas. For planning purposes, it is expected that this stream will provide 40,500 partner visas between 2023 and 2024.
However, due to planning concerns, this category has no upper limit and is demand-driven. For the years 2023–2024, 3,000 child visas are anticipated. It should be mentioned that this category is not capped and is driven by demand.
Special Eligibility Stream (400 spots)
This stream focuses on obtaining visas for individuals in special circumstances, such as returning Australian permanent residents from abroad.
Skilled Independent Visa Category
For skilled independent visas, 30,375 spots were strategically allocated under the 2023–24 permanent migration program. This is equal to the 32,100 spaces designated for the program for 2022–2023.
The reduced anticipated level for this category in 2023–2024 reflects the closure of the New Zealand stream of subclass 189 skilled independent visas on July 1, 2023. This is due to the direct path to citizenship currently available to those with special category visas who meet the requirements.
Delivery of the 2023-24 Migration Program
In an effort to reduce the number of visas on hand, the government will continue to assist 500 individuals who work in visa processing. It will donate an additional $48.1 million over the course of a year.
A substantial additional crew that was trained in this area and started working in 2022 and early 2023 has greatly increased the capacity for processing visas. Additionally, the government will invest 27.8 million dollars over the course of two years, from 2023 to 2024, to replace the existing IT infrastructure for visas.
This would improve the efficiency of the delivery of visa services and increase Australia’s appeal in the global fight for the best students, workers, and tourists.
Family Stream
The government has maintained the amount of the family stream. The Australian government is aware of the significant social benefits that immigrants may make to their families and communities. The partner visa category is the largest within the family stream.
Beginning in 2022–2023, the partner program adopted a demand-driven strategy, which;
First and foremost, recognizes the benefits of family reunification in general and the partner visa program in particular from a social, economic, and demographic standpoint.
Second, encourage Australian citizens and permanent residents to reconcile with their partners in order to foster social cohesion and population increase.
Additionally, it allows for program modification in response to anticipated demand and aids in expediting the processing of several applicants’ partner visa applications.
Australia Top Immigration Changes in Effect 2023
Certain decisions made in the federal budget, which was unveiled on May 9, have impacted Australia’s immigration laws since July 2023. The cost of applications has gone up, and funds to speed up the visa application process have also been announced.
Later, the government declared an expansion of the reciprocal Working Holiday Program between Australia and the UK.
Visa Policy Adjustments for 2023-2024
The Citizenship Process for New Zealanders
New Zealanders who have lived in Australia for four or more years and the start of the Australian fiscal year, July 1, 2023, are now qualified to apply immediately for citizenship. They won’t have to wait to apply for and receive a permanent visa. New Zealand nationals having special category subclass 444 visas who came after February 26, 2001, are subject to the adjustments.
The right to apply retroactively for permanent residency will be available to long-term residents. The New Zealand stream of the skilled independent category 189 visa currently inactive.
New Visa for Migrants from the Pacific
A new visa with 3,000 places now made available to qualified immigrants from the Pacific region. Each year, places for the Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) will decide by voting, and individuals chosen will qualify to seek permanent residency in Australia. Applications can now submit online.
Changes in Student Visa
To address labor shortages, work limitations on student visas were first relaxed throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and then lifted in January of last year. Due to this, students with primary and secondary student visas can work more than the standard 40 hours every two weeks. The time restriction for student visa work has increased to 48 hours every two weeks, nevertheless.
The foreign students working in the senior care sector would be exempt from the cap until December 31, 2023, according to the federal budget that Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced. Some holders of subclass 485 temporary graduate visas will also be qualified to remain in Australia for an extended period.
The extension results in a stay length of four years instead of two years for bachelor’s degree recipients, five years instead of three, and six years instead of four for master’s degree recipients.
Changes to the Australia-UK Working Holiday Program
The maximum age for Australians who travel to the UK on working vacation visas will increase, the government stated on May 31. Australian citizens who match the age standards for the UK’s Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) must be between the ages of 18 and 30 in light of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (AUKFTA), which went into force on May 31.
The maximum age will increase to 35. Australians aged 18 to 35 have the option of extending their working holiday from up to three years. Only permitted under the YMS as a result of the Free Trade Agreement. As of July 1st, 2023, British nationals must be 35 years old to apply for a working holiday visa in Australia.
Changes for Working Holiday Makers
As of July 1, the Australian government has allowed WHMs to continue working for the same company or group. Thus, for an additional six months without requiring clearance. Therefore, the six-month restriction period will not apply to any work done before July 1. Even if the employment started before July 1st, WHMs are still qualified to work for any company. Thus, for an additional six months.
Visit Newsnowgh.com for the most up-to-date information on changes to visa criteria, prospective paths to obtaining legal residency, and others.