Another year and another federal budget released. Every year, migration agents and immigration lawyers pour over the federal budget to glean any information we can about our migration program.
As you may have seen from news headlines around the country, the government anticipates for borders to remain closed until mid-2022, which means current travel restrictions will likely remain until then.
Aside from that, here is a summary on the key migration points from the 2021-2022 Federal Budget:
Global Talent
The budget shows the government is continuing to prioritise talent, with the unveiling of a $550 million package over the course of 4 years to lure businesses and highly skilled individuals to Australia.
“By attracting global talent and encouraging global businesses to invest in and relocate to Australia, the Government is ensuring Australia can capitalise on our strong economic position coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Measures include changing tax rules for employee share schemes (ESS) as well as the ATO providing a fast-tracked tax advice service to foreign investors.
The number of global talent places remains at the 2020-2021 planning level (15,000 places), however, there will be a streamlining of visas to target highly skilled individuals.
In his speech to Parliament, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said:
“Australia’s effective management of COVID makes us an even more attractive place for the best and brightest from around the world. To take advantage of this, we are streamlining visas to target highly-skilled individuals when circumstances allow.”
Students
Students working in the hospitality and tourism sector can work more than 40 hours per fortnight. Students working in the agricultural sector will also be afforded this concession as part of the government’s support for the agricultural sector.
408 Visa
Speaking of the agricultural sector, the government has removed the requirement for applicants for the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) to demonstrate their attempts to depart Australia if they intend to undertake agricultural work.
The period in which a temporary visa holder can apply for the Temporary Activity visa has also been extended from 28 days prior to visa expiry to 90 days prior to visa expiry.
Migration Planning levels
The 2021-2022 overall number of permanent residence places will remain at 160,000. Family and Skilled stream places will be maintained at their 2020-21 planning levels, that is 77,300 places under the Family Stream and 79,600 places under the Skill stream.
Employer Sponsored, Global Talent, Business Innovation and Investment Program visas will be prioritised within the Skilled Stream.
There will also be a continued focus on onshore visa applicants, including reducing the onshore Partner visa backlog.
The Humanitarian Program will be maintained at 13,750 places in 2021-22
Women’s Safety
Funding of $29.3 million over three years to support refugee women and other migrant women’s safety. This funding is aimed at increasing the capacity for “early intervention, grass-roots and social and economic inclusion support.”
The government will also be using this funding to support a pilot program supporting temporary visa holders experiencing family violence to explore visa options that are not reliant on their partner.
The Temporary Visa Holders Payment Pilot will also be extended. Through this program, the Australian Red Cross provides up to $3000 to eligible temporary visa holders to help them cover expenses for their basic needs and essentials.
Parent Visa
The validity period for Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas will be extended by 18 months for individuals who are unable to use their visas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Other details from the budget include:
- A new delivery model for the Adult Migrant English Program will be introduced from 1 July 2023
- Funding of $464.7 million over two years to be provided for the onshore Immigration Detention Network
- The government will provide $54.8 million over four years to address the backlog of cases within the Migration and Refugee Division (MRD) of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The AAT will see an increase in the application fee for review of non-protection visa decisions.
- The government will be amending the Migration Act 1958 to strengthen worker protection.
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration is due to release its inquiry into Australia’s skilled migration program in July this year. This report is expected to contain more detail regarding the streamlining of processes, occupation lists etc. We will keep you updated once this report is released.
