AUSYES_BLOG_Australian-Federal-Budget-will-impact-Migration-Program_3rd_November

How Australian Federal Budget impact Migration Program?

by: Aus Yes | November 4th, 2020 In Australia Migration, Latest NewsTagged , , , ,

The Australian Federal Budget 2020-21 was announced a short time ago, with some new changes to the migration program planning levels and certain migration policies. and it is being considered one of the ‘most important budgets since World War II’. As the main goal of the government is the reconstruction of the country’s economy.

The budget aims at improving the economy of the country after the setback of COVID-19 which affected the migration of students to Australia and its Migration program as well.

Let’s first go through the highlights of the Federal Budget.

Updates on Migration Program Planning Levels 2020-21

  • As it is assumed, migration numbers will face a setback according to predictions as per budget. It may decrease by 71,200 compared to 2019-20 numbers.
  • Migration from overseas was about was 154,000, in 2019-20
  • It may increase by 201,000 from the year 2023 through 24 according to the experts.
  • In the year 2020-21 migration planning will remain unchanged at 160,000.
  • In the year 2020-21 in the Skilled Stream, Global Talent, Business Innovation Employer-Sponsored visa, and Investment Program will get importance.
  • The Family stream places will be increased to 77,300 places (from 47,732). While the other migration program planning level remains the same, there will be a change distribution of places.
  • Onshore visa applications and partner visa applicants will be given importance by the department for the 2020-21 migration program for designated regional area sponsorship

Australian Federal Budget 2020-21: Announcements on Visa Refunds/Waivers

  • An applicant who possesses PMV or Marriage visa may be eligible for a VAC refund if they were not able to travel to Australia due to COVID-19.
  • For VAC refund holder of Pacific Labour Scheme and the Seasonal Worker Visa will be eligible
  • Holder of Temporary Skilled Workers and Visitor Visa holders there’s some respite in store.
  • Visitor visa holders who are overseas and whose visas expire or will expire between March 2020 and December 2021 will be eligible for a waiver when they apply for a new visa.
  • Temporary Skilled Workers who were not able to travel to Australia due to COVID-19 may be eligible to get their VAC for their next visa application waived.
  • On the next visa application, an applicant under the Working Holiday Makers program can apply for VAC which will be waived off. They can apply for VAC refund and come back to Australia once travel restrictions for COVID 19 are removed.

The Visa holders who are not able to come back to Australia due to restrictions are eligible for refunds/waivers. VAC refunds/waivers may be extended by the Australian immigration services, for the applicants who hold visas but are not able to come back to Australia due to travel restrictions.

Updates under Business, Investment & Innovation Program

  • To bring more investment and bring the quality of applicants there are various changes brought by the Australian Government for the Federal Budget 2020-21.
  • The entrepreneurs, high-value investors, owners of businesses, are given more priorities for the development of Australia after COVID-19
  • The main aim of Federal Budget 2020-21 is to improve BIIP’s economic results.
  • The BIIP program will observe increased places to 13,500.
  • There will be an increase of an extra 11.3% on the 1st of July 2021.BIIP visa application fees

Developments under the Global Talent Independent program

  • The GTI program has observed a boost in the number of places to 15,000.
  • The Australian Government will constitute the Task group to attract international business and talent for a Global Business and Talent Attraction
  • The main purpose is to bring an increase in local employment levels and bring fast recovery post-COVID recovery.

Family stream Program

  • Compulsory provisions for Partner visa Australia will be actualized including requiring character checks (police clearances) and sharing of individual information with the candidate, and enforceable sponsorship obligations.
  • Out of the 77,300 spots accessible to family stream visa candidates, 72,300 of those will be allotted to Partner Visas.
  • A huge change noted is the presentation of English language prerequisites for candidates and backers of accomplice visas. Ethos Migration Lawyers will give additional data on this new change as it opens up.

Conclusion

As we can summarise from the above few important points updates.

One can apply for an Australian visa currently, both onshore and offshore. The government is giving priority to the onshore processing of visas.

Travel Exemption options can be explored by the overseas applicant who is interested.

How should overseas visa applicants use their time now?

Recommendation from our Registered Migration Agents for Australia is to utilise this time as an opportunity to prepare the required documents and work hard on your English Skills if that is a requirement of your visa application. This will increase their chances to get a visa once the border reopens.

This will also help Applicants for Partner and Family Visa to prepare according to new laws and get benefits out of it.

An expert immigration agent and visa services like Ausyes can advise how to use the opportunity to get the visa.

For personalised advice on visa services in Australia.

Get in touch with us now.