Budget Update - Australian Immigration

The following announcements were included in the Budget update on 14th May.

Permanent Migration Program.

The permanent migration program planning levels for the 2024-2025 migration program is set at 185,000. This is a reduction from 190,000 from the current migration program.

Migration System Reforms

The Government will provide $18.3 million over four years from 2024–25 to further reform Australia’s migration system to drive greater economic prosperity and restore its integrity. Funding will be allocated to:

• information and education activities to provide migrant workers with accurate and appropriate information about workplace safeguards, protections and compliance measures related to migration laws

• Conduct a data-matching pilot between the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office of income and employment data to mitigate exploitation of migrant workers and abuse of Australia’s labour market and migration system 

Work and Holiday visa - China, Vietnam and India

The Government will introduce a visa pre-application (ballot) process for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China, Vietnam and India from 2024–25. The ballot process will help to manage program demand and application processing times for these countries.

Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) 

 

The Government will implement a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) program for Indian nationals from 1 November 2024. MATES will provide a new mobility pathway for 3,000 Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18 to 30 years at the time of application), with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to two years. 

 

Extending the validity of the Business Visitor visa for Indian nationals

 

The validity of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream for Indian nationals will be extended from up to 3 years to up to 5 years. 

 

National Innovation visa, replacing the current Global Talent visa

 

The Government will implement a new National Innovation visa, replacing the current Global Talent visa (subclass 858) from late 2024, to target exceptionally talented migrants who will drive growth in sectors of national importance.  

 

Business Innovation and Investment visa program 

The BIIP will be closed permanently from July 2024 and new applications for the Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) (subclass 188) visa will no longer be able to be lodged. The Migration Review concluded that the BIIP is delivering poor economic outcomes for Australia. Subclass 188 BIIP visa applications that have been lodged will continue to be processed in line with Government priorities and the Migration Program planning levels. BIIP policy guidance will be tightened to ensure that all business migrants coming to Australia through this program have overall had a successful business career and will bring an economic benefit to Australia.

Those who hold a subclass 188 visa and meet the relevant criteria for the grant of the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa will still be able to continue on this pathway after July 2024.

Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa - work experience reduced

 

The Government will also reduce the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa from two years to one year for all applicants from 23 November 2024 onwards.

Establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal - Addressing Backlogs

The Government will provide $1.0 billion over five years from 2023–24) to establish and support the sustainable operation of the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), replacing the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT), and to address court backlogs associated with high numbers of applications for judicial review of migration decisions.

TRA ICT improvement- Trades Skills Assessment 

 

The Government will move forward addressing a business case to develop a modern ICT solution for the assessment of trade skills for skilled migrants by Trades Recognition Australia

Reforms to Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services

The Government will provide $120.9 million over five years from 2023–24 to improve the sustainability of settlement services and promote better economic and social outcomes for refugees and migrants.

Support to Individuals from Israel and Occupied Palestinian Territories affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict

 

The Government will provide $2.9 million over two years from 2023–24 to support individuals and their families from significantly affected areas of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

The Leaving Violence Program

The Escaping Violence Payment trial and Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot will be extended until 30 June 2025

To review your visa options and understand your eligibility, book a consultation with one of our experienced Registered Migration Agents today.

Disclaimer: The information provided herein is of a general nature only and does not constitute immigration advice. For more detailed and case-specific information or advice, please get in touch with SCA Connect.