On Monday, 11 December the Australian government released its Migration Strategy which outlines its view of a new vision for the Australian migration system.
It highlights key actions, new policy commitments and areas for future reform. The strategy is designed to make our skilled migration system more focused on skills required to boost productivity and use permanent migration to build an innovative workforce for the benefit of Australia’s future.
Key Objectives of the Migration Strategy
The government outlined several key objectives:
1. Raise living standards for Australians;
2. Ensure a fair go in the workplace;
3. Building stronger Australian communities;
4. Strengthening international relationships;
5. Make the migration system work.
Key recommendations
1. Skills in Demand Visa - introduce a new three-tiered system of visa pathways to replace the subclass 482 visa. The visa will be granted for up to 4 years and visa holders will be able to change employers more easily. It will also provide clear pathways to permanent residency.
2. Temporary Graduate Visa – there will be several changes to these visas. Some of the major changes include the following:
- reducing the length of stay for these international graduates;
- preventing holders of the new graduate visas from moving back onto student visas;
- reducing the age eligibility from 50 to 35 years of age;
- increased English language levels for temporary graduate visas.
3. Student Visas – introduce higher English levels for student visa applicants, prevent course swapping and increase funding for visa integrity of student visas.
4. Labour Market Testing - remove the requirement to advertise on the Workforce Australia site. The validity of advertising period will also increase from 4 to 6 months.
5. Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) – look at collecting the SAF in smaller increments over time.
6. Global Talent – the Global Talent program will be more sharply focused on a relatively small number of migrants who can make significant contributions to Australia.
7. Foreign Investment Fees for property - foreign investors who buy established homes wcould face higher penalties if they leave them vacant.
8. Unregistered Migrations Agents - The Government will consult on the feasibility of limiting the involvement of unregistered overseas providers in the migration system, and severely curtail and monitor the provision of unqualified advice from influencing the visa lodgement process.
Do you require further assistance
If you have further questions about the above, or have any other immigration related query, please get in touch with our experienced team. Contact us by email at hello@canberramigrationservices.com.au or by phone at +614517572873.
This article does not constitute legal advice or create an attorney-client relationship. Please consult an immigration professional for up to date information.