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The Australian Government has announced migration changes in the 2020/2021 budget that are designed to enhance the country’s economic recovery, create employment and attract high value investment. The Government have advised that priority will be given to the processing of Employer Sponsored, Global Talent and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) visas resulting in faster, streamlined application processes for these visa categories.
While the 2020-21 Migration Planning level remains the same (160,000), there has been a significant one-off increase for Family Stream places which has increased from 47,732 to 77,300. The majority of these places are for Partner visas (72,300 of the 77,300).
Further migration updates that were announced in the budget are detailed below:
- Partner Visas
- Employers
- Business Owners, Investors and Entrepreneurs
- New Zealand Citizens
- Working Holiday Makers
- Students
- Refund of Visa Application Charges for Visa Holders
If you are impacted by any of these changes or would like any further information, please contact us at enquiries@ahwc.com.au.
- One-off increase of Partner visas for the 2020-21 Migration Program year;
- Priority will be given to applications where the sponsor resides in a designated regional area;
- English language requirements for Partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsors will be introduced;
- Increased family sponsorship provisions including mandatory character checks, the sharing of personal information and enforceable sponsorship obligations for partner visa sponsors; and
- Prospective Marriage Visa (PMV) holders whose visas are cancelled whilst they are unable to travel to Australia due to the current travel restrictions are eligible for a refund of their Visa Application Charge.
- Prioritisation for employer sponsored visas for individuals nominated in priority occupations or with critical skills;
- Waiver of Visa Application Charges for a subsequent visa application for temporary skilled workers, allowing them to return to Australian once borders fully re-open; and
- Changes to work limitations for some Student visa holders (see below section)
Global Talent Independent Program
- Tripling of the amount of visas that can be granted through the Global Talent Independent program allocation to 15,000; and
- Fast track and streamline process to grant Australian permanent residency for eligible applicants.
Business Innovation and Investment Program
- Changes will be made 1 July 2021 to improve and streamline the operation of the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP);
- Improvements will be made to the program to improve the quality of investments and visa applicants in order to attract higher value investors, business owners and entrepreneurs;
- Business Skilled Migration has been allocated with 13,500 places, but likely with an increased application fee; and
- Visa Application Charge for BIIP visas will increase by 11.3% on 1 July 2021.
- The income eligibility requirement for the New Zealand stream of the Skilled Independent Subclass 189 permanent visa pathway will be reduced (currently $53,900 per year for the last four years) to encourage New Zealand citizens to apply for permanent residency.
- Changes to Working Holiday Maker (WHM) Visas to to allow construction work, paid and volunteer disaster recovery work in a Local Government Area with a declared natural disaster to be recognised as “specified work”.
- WHM visa holders who are engaged in disaster recovery work are able to work for the same employer for up to 12 months;
- WHM visa holders who are working in food processing or the agricultural sector will be eligible for a further WHM visa and will be exempt from the six-month work limitation with one employer; and
- WHM visa holders will be eligible to have the Visa Application Charge for a subsequent visa application waived (or refunded) to allow them to return to Australia once borders fully re-open.
Student and Graduate Visa Holders
- The Visa Application Charge for Student visa (subclass 500) holders who are required to lodge a further Student visa application to complete their studies or to remain in Australia as a result of travel restrictions will be waived;
- International students and recent graduates who are eligible for a Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) and unable to travel to Australia will be allowed to apply while outside of Australia;
- Student Visas holders working in aged care (with an Approved Provider or Commonwealth-funded aged care service provider) or disability care (with a registered National Disability Insurance Scheme provider) will not be limited to the 40 hour per fortnight work limit;
- Student Visa holders studying relevant medical courses are also exempt from the 40 hour per fortnight work limit if they are supporting COVID-19 health efforts at the direction of the relevant health authority.
- Visitor visa holders will be eligible to have their Visa Application Charge for a subsequent visa application waived, to allow them to return to Australia once the travel restrictions are lifted.
Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme
- Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme workers, and other visa holders currently in the agricultural sector whose visas are expiring, may have their visas extended for up to 12 months to work for approved employers.
As always, if you have any questions regarding the latest budget and lodging your visa, book a consultation with one of our wonderful migration agents and we may be able to help.
