Although the skilled and business innovation and investment streams were cut to 1,900 when the permanent migration program was announced in May, permanent employer sponsored visa allocations increased by 1,825 to 36,825.

Several business advocacy groups called on the government earlier in the year to increase migration levels to as many as 220,000 places to match the country’s population growth and the treasury expected net overseas migration – which includes students and working holidaymakers – to be as high as 400,000.

Australia has long been suffering from acute skills shortages across many industries. The aged care, child care and teaching industries are still struggling to find workers, and many skilled jobs including carpentry are crying out for qualified tradespeople.

The family stream allocation remained unchanged from the previous financial year at 52,500 places. Some 40,500 partner visas, 8,500 parent visas and 3,000 child visas were planned for but the department says this number is subject to demand and a limit has not been set on how many permanent family visas are issued.

Permanent visa places for migrants to regional areas were reduced by 1,700 places to 32,300 and the number of state nominated visas the government planned to allow fell by 600 places to 30,400.

The Department of Home Affairs said the changes were aimed at increasing the number of working age people allowed to migrate to Australia.

Prime Minister of Australia Anthony Albanese has previously outlined his intention to move the country towards more permanent forms of migration and the slight reduction in migration allayed concerns the government would lower the permanent intake.

There has never been a better time for migrants to contemplate moving to Australia and Easy Migrate has the experience and knowledge needed to provide you with visa advice, help finding a job or help sponsoring an overseas worker.

The post How many visa places there are to migrate to Australia this year appeared first on Easy Migrate.

Summary by Cyrus Mistry (Founding Partner – Easymigrate AMCS):

The Australian Federal Budget for 2020-2021 was announced today – 6th October 2020.

With increased places available, I expect the processing-time for Partner Visas will reduce from the current 24-30 months waiting periods. The places allotted for Global Talent visas has been tripled from 5,000 to 15,000 so we expect to see more activity within this program stream.
The bad news is that the Australian Government expects the net overseas migration numbers fall from the current 154,000 persons by almost 45% – down to about 83,000 in this financial year 2020-21. The good news is that net overseas migration is expected to bounce back to about 201,000 persons in another two years (2023-24).
 

• Previous Program Planning level (2019-20) was set at 160,000 places
• Current Program Planning level (2020-21) will stay the same at 160,000 places however the Family Stream will benefit by increasing the places from 47,700 to 77,300 for 2020-2021 only.
• In 2019-20 the net overseas migration was 154,000 persons.
• In 2020-21 the net overseas migration is expected to reduce by about 71,000 (net 83,000), increasing to around 201,000 by 2023-24 (further two years)
• Employer Sponsored, Global Talent, Business Innovation and Investment program visas will be prioritised.
• Onshore visa applicants will be prioritised.
• Partner Visa applicants will be prioritised especially where the sponsor lives in a “designated regional area”
• Temp Skilled Workers, Visitors, Working Holidaymakers: subsequent visa application fees may be “waived” in future – where they were affected by travel restrictions.

Subclass 189 New Zealand Pathway: Eligibility requirement is that applicants need to show fours years of taxable income above the TSMIT threshold in the last five years. This may be reduced to three years including the most recent year.
 
Business, Investment and Innovation Program: Focus will be given to higher value investors. Places will be increased to 13,500. The Government has announced a “Taskforce” that will focus on attracting “exceptional talent” and international businesses to Australia. This initiative is likely to increase local employment opportunities and assist in a post-COVID recovery.
 
Global Talent Independent (GTI) Program: This pathway will receive the best allocation yet. Placed will be TRIPLED to 15,000 places.
 
Family Stream Program: 72,300 places out of a total of 77,300 places will go towards “Partner Visas”, remaining 5,000 places will go to other visas within the Family stream. Sponsorship provisions and obligations will be strengthened. Partner visa applicants may be required to show English-language skills. This may give better social and economic participation outcomes.
 
Humanitarian Stream: The ceiling will e set at 13,750 places. Quota division between onshore and offshore applicants will be kept flexible, keeping COVID restrictions in mind.
 
Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals: Additional funding will be provided to continue processing the backlog of applicants who arrived between August 2012 and January 2014.
 
Federal Law Circuit Court: A$35.7 million will provide additional resources to the FCC. This will enable the backlog of pending cases relating to immigration matters.
 
The full Federal Budget papers can be accessed on the Budget.gov.au site.

The post Australian Budget Migration Opportunities appeared first on Easy Migrate.

Major changes for Sponsored Family Visa program to come into effect 2019

The Australian Government has announced that the Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016 has been passed by both houses of Parliament and is awaiting royal assent.

This bill will introduce significant changes to the existing Sponsored Family Visa program for example;

• The requirement for sponsorship to be approved before the visa application can be lodged.
• Sponsorship obligations for family sponsors and sanctions for breach of obligations.
• The Department of Home Affairs can share personal information with sponsors, visa applicants and other government agencies.

What Visas will be affected

• Partner (De-Facto visa)
• Spouse 
• Parent 
• Child
• Carer
• permits for other relatives

Implications

We predict that the changes may come into effect between January and June 2019. Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible New Zealand citizens who wish to apply to sponsor a family member and family members who want to apply for a sponsored family visa will be affected by the changes.

We expect that the change will have a drastic increase in processing times that are currently at record highs, (as we wrote this blog Subclass 100 waiting time according to Department of Home affairs was 23 – 32 months).

Cyrus Mistry has said “I expect that the changes will have a detrimental effect on the Sponsored Family Visa program. For example applicants who visit Australia on short-term visas may not be able to lodge applications onshore as the sponsorship application may not be approved before the visa expires, meaning they will not be able to obtain a bridging visa. We expect to see significantly longer waiting times, which will be difficult for family members off shore waiting for an answer. 

In addition to these changes we are expecting to see the introductions of more regulations  which could include a refusal if the sponsor has debts to the Comonwealth or has crimnal record”.

If you are concerned that the new bill will affect you, please call our office on +61 8 9221 4888 and book a time to speak with our team of register agents.

The post BREAKING NEWS: SIGNIFICANT CHANGES TO PARTNER, PARENT & SPOUSE VISA APPLICATIONS DUE 2019 appeared first on Easy Migrate.