The Treasurer delivered the Federal Budget on Tuesday 14 May 2024. Here’s a breakdown of the 2024 Federal Budget announcements relevant to immigration:
Permanent Migration Program
- The 2024/25 permanent Migration Program planning level will be set at 185,000 places and allocate 132,200 places (around 70%) to the Skill stream.
- Maintaining around 70% of places for the Skill stream will help address Australia’s long-term skill needs.
- A 4-year planning horizon will be introduced for the program, bringing more stability.
System Reforms
- $18.3 million will be invested over 4 years to improve the migration system and protect migrant workers. This includes providing them with clear information about their rights and ensuring fair treatment by employers.
- A data-matching pilot program will be launched to identify potential exploitation of migrant workers and safeguard Australia’s labor market.
Processing Times and Backlogs
- The Government is committed to reducing visa processing times. Increased staffing for the Department of Home Affairs aims to improve efficiency and speed up applications.
Southeast Asia Engagement
- $505.9 million will be provided over 5 years from 2023/24 to deepen Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia, including measures to implement the next phase of the Government’s response to ‘Invested: Australia’s Southeast Asia Economic Strategy to 2040’.
- Funding includes $1.1million over 2 years from 2023/24 to improve visa access and provide long-validity business and frequent traveller visas for ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste.
Work and Holiday Visas
- A new pre-application (ballot) system will be introduced for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visas for applicants from China, Vietnam, and India from 2024/25. This aims to manage high demands and processing times.
- A ballot charge of $25 (indexed to the CPI in the future years) will apply.
Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES)
- The new MATES program for Indian nationals will commence on 1 November 2024.
- MATES will provide a new pathway for 3,000 Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18 to 30 years at the time of application), with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years.
- The visa will have a pre-application (ballot) charge of $25 and an application charge of $365, both of which will be indexed to the CPI in future years.
Extended Business Visitor Visas for Indian Nationals
- The validity of Business Visitor visas for Indian citizens will be extended from 3 years to 5 years.
National Innovation Visa to Replace Global Talent Visa
- A new National Innovation visa, replacing the current Global Talent visa (subclass 858) from late 2024, to target exceptionally talented migrants who will drive growth in sectors of national importance.
Business Innovation and Investment Program to Cease
- The BIIP program will cease, with refunds of the visa application charge provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their application.
Reduced Work Experience for Subclass 482 Visa
- The required work experience for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa will be reduced from 2 years to one year for all applicants starting 23 November 2024.
New Administrative Review Tribunal and Addressing Court Backlogs
- Heavy investment will be provided to establish a new Administrative Review Tribunal, replacing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and to address court backlogs associated with high numbers of applications for judicial review of migration decisions.
A Modern IT Solution for Skills Assessments by Trades Recognition Australia
- The Government will progress a business case to develop a modern ICT solution for the assessment of trade skills for skilled migrants by Trades Recognition Australia (TRA).
- The solution will make skilled workers more rapidly available to employers and support the delivery of the Government’s migration and skilled workforce objectives.
Support for Refugee and Migrants
- $120.9 million will be dedicated to improving settlement services and supporting refugees and migrants with better economic and social integration.
The Leaving Violence Program
- The Escaping Violence Payment trial and Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot will be extended until 30 June 2025.
- $925.2 million over 5 years from 2023/24 will be provided to make permanent the Leaving Violence Program which will provide financial support, safety assessments and referrals to support services for victim-survivors leaving a violent intimate partner relationship.
We recommend contacting Migration Affairs to discuss how these changes might impact your specific situation and immigration goals.
Changes to the migration program can occur without notice. The above information is not intended to be legal advice and is correct as of the date of writing this article.
Contact Migrations Affairs to speak with our immigration experts for tailored advice on the circumstances and eligibility.