After over two years of uncertainty and a curtailed immigration programme the Federal government announced the welcome mat is back out in last nights Australian Federal Budget.
What was included in the Australian Federal Budget regarding immigration?
The Hon Alex Hawke MP, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs said the Morrison Government’s Migration Program will focus on skilled migration, with a return to a pre-pandemic composition of roughly two-thirds/one-third across the Skill and Family streams.
Skilled visas will make up 70% of the 160,000 places being offered. There will be an increase of 20,000 visas and a redistribution of 10,000 from the Partner visa programme.
The skilled visas by the visa numbers:
| Employer sponsored | 30,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 16,652 |
| State and Territory Nominated | 20,000 |
| Regional visas | 25,000 |
| Business and Innovation and Investment | 9,500 |
| Global Talent | 8,488 |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 |
The balance of the programme will be allocated to Family visas with partner visas being reduced by over 20,000 places.
The Humanitarian programme will remain unchanged with 13,750 places and the Federal government has committed to settle 50% of these humanitarian visa places into regional Australia which is a positive.
The Global Business, Talent and Investment Taskforce, as the renamed the Global Australia Taskforce and it will be providing $19.5 million to continue to attract talented individuals and international investment to Australia.
$127 million has been allocated from the Fund for training for occupations in high demand that rely on skilled migration, future growth industries, rural and regional areas. There will be a strong focus on apprenticeships and traineeships.
Pleasingly the Working Holiday Visa (WHV) will have an increase by 11,000 places and those visa holders who arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be eligible for a refunded VAC.
Hopefully this will send a message to the world that Australia is back open for business and attract skilled talent to Australia.
How can FC Lawyers help?
The team at FC Lawyers made up of accredited specialists and experienced migration agents have helped both business and skilled applicants achieve their goals whether to fill a vacancy or to obtain a work or permanent visa in Australia.
Contact our team of accredited specialists in Immigration Law and registered migration agents to discuss your migration options today.
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