Immigration Review Australia: Discover the latest changes announced on April 29th and understand their impact on your migration journey
The Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, has recently unveiled the much-anticipated Review of the Australian Migration System. The review resulted in a report with 186 pages, outlining important recommendations to the government to bring changes to the immigration system.
We summarised the 6 most important points for you below so you don’t have to read the whole report. There are 2 confirmed changes and other flagged possible changes that in our opinion would actually affect how the program works in practice and quickly.
At Bravo Migration, we understand that changes to the Australian migration system can be confusing and overwhelming. That’s why we’re here to explain them in better detail and in plain language for you.
Immigration Review Australia: what are the changes?
The review and resulting report were led by former public service chief Martin Parkinson, and it has found that Australia’s immigration system is too complex, there are too many visa subclasses and the legal requirements for those wanting to stay in the country don’t properly assess their ability to contribute to the economy in the long run.
The report does not provide any specific recommendations, but it offers 32 potential ways for the government to consider making changes to the system.
1 – The minimum salary package relevant to some visa subclasses will be increased
From the 1st July 2023, it will go up from $53,900 to $70,000. This is known as Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and it hasn’t been adjusted for the past 10 years, so the government believes this is where it would be, had it been adjusted every year.
2 – All skilled temporary workers (457 and 482) will be given the opportunity to apply for permanent residence
The Minister said this will come into effect by the end of 2023. This is amazing news as this is how the immigration system used to work, before the previous government split the occupation list relevant to the Permanent Employer Visa in 2 lists, and restricted who could apply for a permanent visa in this situation.
Since then, and as of now still, only applicants who can nominate an occupation in the Medium and Long Term Skills Shortage List (MLTSSL) can apply for a permanent residence visa under employer nomination, with some exceptions under Transitional Arrangements.
3 – Three New Pathways for Migration
As part of the Australian Immigration System Review, the Australian Labor Party is proposing a major change to the country’s immigration system. They want to split it into three different categories based on the salary and skills of the applicants.
- The first category will be for high-earning workers who are highly skilled. This will help speed up the visa process for these workers and fill the skills shortage in the country.
- The second category will be for middle-income earners and will focus on assessing labor shortages properly.
- The third category will be for low-earning migrants who are essential for industries like aged care. This change could help prevent exploitation and bring these low-wage programs out of the shadows.
The government is working on implementing this new system as quickly as possible, but there are no details available yet.
4 – A reduction in the number of Visa Subclasses
Bravo Migration is pleased to inform our readers that there will be a reduction in the number of visa types available. This means that the visa application process will be simplified, making it easier for individuals to understand and apply for the appropriate visa.
We understand that the visa process can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why we welcome this change to streamline the system. Our team of experts is always available to assist you in navigating the visa process and ensuring that you have the best chance of success.
Australia’s migration system is too complicated and slow, causing frustration for both migrants and businesses. This is a problem because other countries are also trying to attract skilled workers. To solve this, the number of visa types will be reduced from over 100 to make the process simpler. This will help Australia compete for the best migrants!
Some visas that could be cut or completely revamped include the Business Investment Visa and the Global Talent Visa.
5 – Encouraging International Students to stay
Australia is missing out on keeping the most talented international students as skilled migrants. The issue is that many students become “permanently on a temporary visa” due to not being identified as having the greatest potential for success.
One idea that has been proposed as part of the immigration System review is to provide a Graduate Visa that can be obtained in a quicker way than the current one. “Immediate” and “Automatic” are some words we have seen thrown around but we know better than that: nothing can be automatic when it comes to immigration and there will still be some sort of application involved.
6 – Changes to the Points Test
Australia’s current points system for selecting migrants is being reviewed, with calls for a “recalibration” to ensure that those who will make the greatest long-term economic contribution are chosen.
The current test is not effective in distinguishing between candidates and is based on poor indicators of success in the labour market. The criteria used to determine an applicant’s success were considered irrelevant by the review and do not necessarily determine long-term success for visa holders and the Australian migration program.
The government is considering updating the system to select migrants who are most likely to succeed and contribute to Australia’s economy.
At Bravo Migration, we’re committed to helping people navigate this system and find the best path for their individual situation. We are also committed in helping you navigate these changes and immigration latest news to ensure that you have the best chance of success in your migration journey.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you and help you achieve your migration goals.
Don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter on Linkedin to receive the latest updates related to Australian immigration News and the whole Review of the Australian Migration System.
