October was a fascinating month for Nomos, as the Federal Government unveiled its first Budget since taking office in May 2022. Treasurer Jim Chalmers released the Budget alongside claims that it repays the confidence of the Australian people in the Labor Party by delivering on several promises made during the campaign trail. The Treasurer also noted that the Budget intends to deliver on the priorities of the Australian public who have faced the upheaval caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, myriad natural disasters and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
As always, the Budget also addressed and made promises within the Australian space. Minister Clare O’Neil issued a brief media release in tandem with the Budget to highlight the various ways in which the new Budget will impact the migration program. Below are listed the key takeaways we have identified in this Budget that will impact our clients:
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- The injection of an additional AU$42.2 million intended to allow for the hiring of an additional 500 support staff over 2 years so as to accelerate visa processing and resolve the significant backlog still vexing DHA. Part of this funding will be dedicated to fund international marketing campaigns designed to encourage migration to Australia, largely in an effort to help address ongoing skills shortage issues in many industries,
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- The extension of relaxed work restrictions for Student and secondary Training visa holders until 30 June 2023,
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- The increase of permanent skilled migration places from 160,000 to 195,000 places,
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- Priority processing of offshore skilled migration applications and on-hand NZ Stream Skilled Independent (subclass 189) visa applications – we have already seen this in practice, with the most recent SkillSelect invitations,
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- The introduction of a new visa – the Pacific Engagement Visa – which will commence with 3,000 permanent migration places for nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste. The places for this visa will be in addition to the existing places comprising the permanent migration program,
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- • Further support for Ukrainians fleeing the war in their home country, including funding towards 3-year Temporary Humanitarian Concern (subclass 786) visas, the extension of access to Medicare for a 12-month period and the injection of AU$600,000 into the Ukrainian Community and Settlement Support program,
The breakdown of the 2022-23 skilled permanent migration intake is below:
- 35,000 Employer-sponsored places
- 34,000 Regional places
- 32,100 Skills Independent places
- 31,000 State or Territory nominated places
- 5,000 Global Talent places
- 5,000 Business Innovation and Investment places
- 300 Distinguished Talent places
In terms of family stream visas, Partner visas will be demand-driven and there will be an increase to the number of places for Parent visas to 8,500 (an increase from 4,500 in the 2021-22FY).
While all the above inclusions in the Budget are welcome and should provide relief in certain areas of the migration program where such is needed, the total funding remains less than the AU$875 million previously available. Only time will tell what impact, if any, this will have moving forward as the world enters the post-COVID era.
The Budget overview documents and papers can be read here.
*This is general information only, as at the date of publication, and should not be interpreted as legal advice. For an accurate and current assessment of your circumstances and visa options, please contact us to receive this advice.
