The Federal Government’s Migration Review: Key Takeaways

The Federal Government’s Migration Review:

The three key changes listed below were announced following the federal government’s migration review.

1) Reduction in Migration Numbers:

Australia’s net migration peaked at 510,000 last financial year and is expected to decrease to 375,000 next year and further to 250,000 in 2025.

2) New Visa – Skills in Demand Visa:

The government plans to introduce a new visa called the “Skills in Demand Visa” to replace the existing temporary skill shortage visa. This visa aims to provide more flexibility for workers to change employers and clear pathways to permanent residence. The government estimates that the new visa pathways will add $3.4 billion to the budget’s bottom line over the next decade.

Three Pathways for the Skills in Demand Visa:

• Specialist Skills: Targets highly skilled workers in sectors like technology and energy, requiring a minimum income of $135,000.
• Core Skills: Addresses workforce needs with a regularly updated occupation list reflecting the job market.
• Essential Skills: Targets labor shortages for those on lower incomes.

3) International Students:

 The government aims to raise standards for international students to prevent them from becoming “permanently temporary” by introducing the following measures.

• Higher English language requirements for student visas. Students applying for a Graduate visa will require a score of 6.5 up from 6.0, while student visa applicants will need a 6.0 up from 5.5.
• Additional scrutiny, using a genuine student test to ensure educational progress aligns with academic and career aspirations.
• Increased examination of those applying for a second student visa, particularly targeting international students staying on multiple successive student visas.

If you would like to avail yourself of expert migration assistance, please contact the Registered Migration Agents at Better Life Migration on +61 415 419 414.

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Source: DHA