Business As Usual: The Good News about the Australian Visa Program

As we mentioned in earlier articles, The Federal Government had delayed the release of its 2020-2021 Migration budget in light of the current travel restrictions. The effect of this was that the various States and Territories were not able to release their individual migration budgets.

Border closures have had a significant impact on net overseas migration. In comparison to net overseas migration (NOM) for the 2018-19 year, NOM is expected to fall by 30 per cent in 2019-20 and even further in 2020-21.

In the COVID-19 recovery period, migration will be a key component of Australia’s economic recovery.  The Australian Government is considering how best to shape the Migration Program to drive economic growth and support job creation during this post-recovery phase.

This will take into consideration the economic conditions in Australia, future skill needs, changes in the labor market, and the population objectives of states and territories.  Until otherwise advised, the existing 2019-20 Migration Program settings will continue to remain in place. This means the 2020-21 planning ceiling will be retained at 160,000 places, the level set for the 2019-20 Migration Program.

This includes:

• 108,682 places for the Skill stream.
• 47,732 places for the Family stream (this includes Parent visas).
• 236 places for the Special Eligibility stream.
• 3,350 places for Child visas

Until otherwise advised, the existing 2019-20 Migration Program settings, including the program size and composition, will remain in place. This means “Business as Usual”!

If you have already applied for a visa, it’s just a matter of time till the Department process your visa, and it will be decided in due course.

If you have not applied yet- this is a good time to start the process!

If you seriously intend to get to Australia, make it a part of your long-term plan and don’t stress about the short term details.

Are you ready to take the next step?

Complete our online visa assessment and we will provide free advice on your visa eligibility, visa options, and the next key steps.