BUDGET 2020 – Immigration Update

Here are few excerpts from the Budget paper:

COVID-19 Response Package — refunds and waivers of Visa Application Charges

The Government will refund or waive the visa application charge (VAC) for temporary visa holders affected by the COVID-19 travel ban.

Prospective Marriage, Pacific Labour Scheme and Seasonal Worker Programme visa holders will be able to access a VAC refund.

Temporary skilled workers and visitor visa holders will be eligible to have the VAC for a subsequent visa application waived, to allow them to return to Australia once travel restrictions are lifted.

Working holiday makers will be eligible to have the VAC for a subsequent visa application waived, to allow them to return to Australia once travel restrictions are lifted or otherwise be able to access a VAC refund.

VAC refunds and waivers will be available to current visa holders who are unable to travel until the border reopens.

 
Migration Program — 2020-21 planning levels

The Government will maintain the 2020-21 Migration Program planning level at 160,000.

Family Stream places will increase from 47,732 to 77,300 places on a one-off basis for the 2020-21 Migration Program year.

Employer Sponsored, Global Talent, Business Innovation and Investment Program visas will be prioritised within the Skilled Stream.

Onshore visa applicants and Partner visa applicants where the relevant sponsor resides in a designated regional area will also be prioritised for the 2020-21 Migration Program.

 
Migration Program — changes to the Business Innovation and Investment Program

From 1 July 2021, the Government will streamline and improve the operation of the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP). The Government will introduce changes to improve the quality of investments and applicants. Visa application charges for BIIP visas will also be increased by an additional 11.3 per cent (above regular CPI indexation) on 1 July 2021. These changes will sharpen the focus of the BIIP program on higher value investors, business owners and entrepreneurs and improve the economic outcomes of the BIIP.

 
Migration Program — enhancing Family Stream migration outcomes

The Government will apply the family sponsorship framework to Partner visas which will mandate character checks and the sharing of personal information as part of a mandatory sponsorship application, and subject the sponsor to enforceable sponsorship obligations. These changes will complement existing family violence provisions within the Partner visa program. The Government will introduce English language requirements for Partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsors. These changes will help support English language acquisition and enhance social cohesion and economic participation outcomes.
Source: https://budget.gov.au/2020-21/content/bp2/download/bp2_complete.pdf

 

SUMMARY OF EXPECTED CHANGES

  • 2020-21 Migration Program ceiling will remain at 160,000 places.
  • Family stream increased to 77,300 (72,300 places will be allocated to partner visa applicants). While this could be an indication to clear the massive partner visa application backlog that currently sits at 100,000, it could also mean a significant cut for places in the parent category.
  • Onshore visa applicants and Partner visa applicants where the relevant sponsor resides in a designated regional area, will be prioritised for the 2020-21 Migration Program – Meaning offshore Partner visa applicants could still have to wait longer. Alternatively, onshore applicants may be lured to move to regional areas for faster processing (thereby boosting economy of regional Australia).
  • English language requirements will be introduced for Partner visa applicants and the Sponsor – Prime Minister Scott Morrison says the new English language requirement for partner visa applicants and their permanent resident sponsors announced as part of the Federal Budget will be a ‘basic language competency test’ aimed at enabling migrants to get the best out of life in Australia
  • Business, Investment and Innovation Program will be increased to 13,500 places – Clearly the government is seeking high net worth business owners and investors to boost economy.
  • Global Talent Independent program will be tripled to 15,000 places – This could affect number of places available for other skilled visas, but it’s going to help the economy and open doors for highly skilled and talented indviduals!
 
Net Overseas Migration

The 2020 budget estimates reveal that Australia will suffer its first negative net overseas migration since the Second World War in a major blow to the country’s economy already bruised by the pandemic.

Net migration numbers are expected to fall from 154,000 in the 2019-20 financial year to a net loss of 72,000 in 2020-21 and 21,600 in 2021-22, before gradually increasing to about 201,000 over the next four years.

 
Interested to know more?

Please Book a Consultation for an initial assessment and find out if you are eligible for an Australian visa and let us guide you towards your Australian migration goal.

 
Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

Temporary employment changes – 457, TSS & SESR visa holders

Following information has been updated on the website of Department of Home Affairs (DHA):

 
Temporary employment changes – 457, TSS & SESR visa holders

From late September, sponsors will be able to advise us of temporary changes to employment arrangements for 457, TSS & SESR visa holders resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic through the ‘Notification of sponsor changes form’ in ImmiAccount.

Sponsors will be able to notify changes for up to ten visa holders on the one form. One form should be completed to notify commencement of the temporary change, and another form should be completed to notify the completion of the temporary change.

Only one type of change is able to be entered for each visa holder per form. Sponsors should enter the primary reason (for example, ’Reduced working hours’ if the visa holder is temporarily working part-time) for the notification. If a visa holder’s salary has also been reduced as a result of the part-time working arrangements, this can be mentioned in the ‘brief description’ box.

Sponsors should attach a detailed outline of the temporary work change, and may include details of temporary business closure, changes to work practices (for example, a restaurant moving to a takeaway or delivery model rather than eat in) and information about whether Australian employees have had similar changes made to their employment arrangements.

We encourage sponsors to use this new facility to advise us of all temporary employment changes that have occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, even if these changes have since ceased.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/skilled-migration-program/skilled-visa-newsletters/september-2020

 
Interested to know more?

Please Book a Consultation for an initial assessment and find out if you are eligible for an Australian visa and let us guide you towards your Australian migration goal.

 

Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

New taskforce for attracting businesses and talent to Australia

The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs has publishd the following on 4 Sep 2020:

New taskforce for attracting businesses and talent to Australia

​International businesses will be lured to Australia and exceptional talent will be encouraged to call Australia home under a new initiative to support the post-COVID recovery and boost local jobs.

The new, whole-of-government Global Business and Talent Attraction Taskforce will bring together experts from across the Commonwealth, States and Territories as well as the private sector, as part of the Government’s JobMaker plan.

Senior business leader, Peter Verwer AO, has been appointed as the head of the Taskforce and will be known as the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Global Business and Talent Attraction.

The Taskforce will operate as a ‘strike team’ to turbo-charge the creation of jobs by boosting our efforts to attract high value global business and exceptional talent.

The initial focus will be on three key sectors: advanced manufacturing, financial services (including FinTech) and health.

Australia is strategically well positioned given its management of the pandemic and our relatively strong economy. We have always been an attractive destination due to our lifestyle, democratic system, clean cities and proximity to Asia. We can use those advantages to bring more global business and talent to our shores and help create more Australian jobs.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the global context had significantly changed and many talented people and businesses will now be looking to places like Australia.

“Australia has always been an attractive destination for talent and investment, but given our relative success economically, from a health perspective, and socially, we will be even more attractive.

“We want to capitalise on this and be very focussed on attracting key businesses and global super talent to Australia.  This will aid our recovery and boost jobs for Australians.”

“The Taskforce will take a whole-of-government approach, including coordinating closely with State Government initiatives.  We will be leveraging our networks abroad, including the Australian diaspora, to help identify opportunities.”

Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Simon Birmingham said luring more investment from global businesses in emerging industries would be a critical part of Australia’s overall economic recovery from COVID-19.

“Through this taskforce and the ongoing work of Austrade we will highlight to global businesses that our overall economic management and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic strengthens our reputation as a stable and attractive investment destination,” Minister Birmingham said.

“As our economy continues to transform, attracting talent and investment will be critical to bringing additional business nous and new technologies to help drive growth in the development of high-value goods and services in emerging industries.

“With one in 10 jobs already supported by foreign direct investment, boosting investment and getting more global businesses to set up shop here will help drive more jobs and opportunities for Australians.”

On 9 July, the Prime Minister announced that Australia would develop incentives to attract export orientated Hong Kong based businesses to relocate to Australia.

This initiative builds on this idea, and the Global Talent and Business Innovation and Investment programs, to attract high value businesses and exceptionally talented individuals to Australia to create jobs for Australians.

The Taskforce will join up the Department of Home Affairs with the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), and draw on expertise from the Treasury, the Departments of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, Defence, and the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

They will work closely with the States and Territories, industry leaders and specialists in identifying and executing opportunities.

 
Interested to know more?

Please Book a Consultation for an initial assessment and find out if you are eligible for an Australian visa and let us guide you towards your Australian migration goal.

 

Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.

Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) Announced!

A new Priority Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) has been announced today.

The PMSOL and strengthened labour market testing will allow small numbers of sponsored skilled workers to return to Australia to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors, helping to create Australian jobs and rebuild Australia’s economy.

The 17 occupations on the Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) were based on advice from the National Skills Commission and consultation with relevant Commonwealth agencies and will be reviewed regularly.

Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Alan Tudge said the changes would strike the right balance for Australia’s economic recovery.

Note: Existing skilled migration occupation lists will remain active and visas will still be processed, but priority will be given to those in occupations on the PMSOL.

 
Occupations on PMSOL

The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:

  • Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
  • Construction Project Manager (133111)
  • Mechanical Engineer (233512)
  • General Practitioner (253111)
  • Resident Medical Officer (253112)
  • Psychiatrist (253411)
  • Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
  • Midwife (254111)
  • Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
  • Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
  • Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
  • Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
  • Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
  • Registered Nurses nec (254499)
  • Developer Programmer (261312)
  • Software Engineer (261313)
  • Maintenance Planner (312911)

Visa holders, who have been sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine on arrival at their own expense.

Information about Australia’s travel exemption processes for those in critical skills and sectors is available at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/critical-skills-and-sectors

 
Interested to know more?

Click here to book a consultation with one of our friendly consultants. You may also fill out the Online Assessment Form to know your eligibility for a visa to Australia.

 

Disclaimer

The above article constitutes only generic information on migration issues, and does not constitute specific migration advice to any entity or individual.