11/12/2023
ππ π£π’π₯π§ππ‘π§ π¨π£πππ§ππ£π£
Australian Migration New Strategy has been published today. Here are some key points:
The strategy outlines eight key actions:
1. Targeting temporary skilled migration to address skills needs and promote worker mobility.
2. Reshaping permanent skilled migration to drive long-term prosperity.
3. Strengthening the integrity and quality of international education.
4. Tackling worker exploitation and misuse of the visa system.
5. Planning migration to ensure the right skills in the right places.
6. Tailoring regional visas and the Working Holiday Maker program to support regional Australia and its workers.
7. Deepening people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific.
8. Simplifying the migration system to enhance the experience for migrants and employers.
Certain aspects of the strategy are pending finalization after additional consultations, as recommended by the Parkinson review.
Key announcements include:
Migration Program Planning: The government plans to extend migration planning beyond the current 12-month cycle to address critical skills shortages and foster better collaboration with states and territories. Net overseas migration is anticipated to decrease from 510,000 in 2022-23 to 375,000 in the next fiscal year and further to 250,000 in 2024-25.
π International Students and Temporary Visa Holders: The strategy addresses the growth in international student numbers and an increase in temporary visa holders. Notably, a three-tiered system of visa pathways is proposed to replace the TSS SC 482, catering to different income brackets.
π Skilling Australians Fund: Consideration will be given to collecting the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) in smaller increments over time, reflecting the greater freedom of visa holders to change employers.
π Labour Market Testing: Labour Market Testing (LMT) is set to be streamlined, with changes such as abolishing the requirement to advertise on the Workforce Australia site and extending the advertising period from 4 to 6 months.
π Points Tests and Temporary Graduate Visas: The points test will undergo review, and a new analysis-based points test will be developed to identify independent migrants making significant contributions. Temporary Graduate Visas will see substantial changes to better align with the skills required by Australian employers.
π Student Visas and Education Agents: Significant changes are proposed for the student visa program, including higher English language requirements and a focus on retaining tertiary university courses. Regulation of education agents will be expanded through the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.
π Regional Migration: Acknowledging the shortcomings of current regional migration strategies, the government aims to work closely with states and territories to better target regional population needs, with fast-tracked regional visa applications.
π Working Holiday Makers and Global Talent and Business Skills: No immediate changes are announced for the Working Holiday Maker program. The Global Talent program will be more sharply focused, considering a new 'talent and innovation' visa. The Business Innovation and Investment Program will be reviewed, addressing the disproportionate investment in certain sectors.
π Foreign Investment Fees for Property: Foreign investors buying established homes will face increased fees and higher penalties for leaving them vacant.
π Registered Migration Agents: The government will explore limiting the involvement of unregistered overseas providers in the migration system and enhance the regulation of registered migration agents to combat unscrupulous immigration assistance providers. This includes considering stricter monitoring and increased financial penalties.
Details here:https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/.../migration-strategy.pdf
