Exciting Updates and Changes in Australia: June 2023

Visa Application Charges (VACs)

The Government plans to increase Visa Application Charges (VACs) from 1 July 2023. Below, you will find an indication of the initial application fees:

Subclass 143

• CA143 Contributory Parent: $4,765.00
• Additional Applicant Charge 18+: $1,605.00
• Additional Applicant Charge U18: $805.00

Subclass 864

• DG864 Contributory Aged Parent: $4,765.00
• Additional Applicant Charge 18+: $2,380.00
• Additional Applicant Charge U18: $1,195.00

Subclass 870

• GH870 Sponsored Parent (Temporary): $1,145.00

At this stage, there does not seem to be any changes to the second Visa application fees.

Legislative Instruments and Explanatory Statements

This section summarizes the relevant Legislative Instruments and Explanatory Statements for the visa allocation in the 2022-23 financial year.

• Migration (Granting of contributory parent visas, parent visas and other family visas in financial year 2022/2023) Instrument – LIN 23/016 – F2023L00609.
• Contributory Parent Visas (Subclass 143, 864, and 173): The 2022-2023 financial year may grant a maximum of 6,800 Contributory Parent visas, an increase from 3,600 in the previous year.
• Parent Visas (Subclass 103 and 804): The 2022-2023 financial year may grant a maximum of 1,700 Parent visas, an increase from 900 in the previous year.
• Other Family Visas: The 2022-2023 financial year may grant a maximum of 500 Other Family visas, the same as the previous year.

This section provides information on government efforts to manage visa processing capacity and improve visa service delivery.

• In 2022-23, the Parent program increased from 4,500 to 8,500 places, while the Other Family visa category (including the Aged Dependent Relative, Remaining Relative, and Carer programs) maintained 500 places. The Government has maintained these planning levels in the 2023-24 permanent Migration Program.
• The Government will continue its efforts to manage the number of visas on-hand by extending funding for 500 visa processing officers, providing an additional $48.1 million over 12 months.
  • • The additional trained visa processing staff that commenced in 2022 and early 2023 have significantly increased visa processing capacity. In 2023-24, the Government will invest $27.8 million over two years to upgrade existing visa ICT systems, improving visa service delivery efficiency and increasing Australia’s attractiveness in the global race for talent, students, and tourists.

Sources:

• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-program-planning-levels
• https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/programs-subsite/files/faq-2023-24-migration-program.pdf

From stamp duty exemptions for first-home buyers to aged care reforms, rental relief, and telecommunications price hikes, we bring you a comprehensive overview of the significant changes taking effect from July 1, 2023. 

These don’t necessarily apply to visa applicants, but you may hear your family talking about this –
and now you can join the conversation!
The new financial year is almost upon us, meaning there are some big changes coming our way.
Here’s everything you need to know. July 1 is an important mid-year milestone, bringing with it
many major changes such as new laws and regulations, fees and charges, and taxes and benefits.

Here’s what you need to know.

Good news for first-home buyers

From July 1, the newly-elected NSW Labor government will launch a stamp duty exemption for first-home buyers, providing relief for homes worth up to $800,000 and a concessional rate for homes worth up to $1 million. Additionally, the state government will eliminate the previous opt-in property tax scheme, allowing first-time buyers of more expensive properties to avoid stamp duty.

Aged care reform

In the new financial year, aged care facilities will be required to have at least one registered nurse on site 24/7. Some exemptions may apply, such as facilities co-located with a health service or in regional areas facing staffing challenges. The Australian Government has allocated $11.3 billion to implement a 15% pay rise for aged care workers, with the funding increase implemented over the next four years starting from July 1, 2023.

Rental relief

Legislation in Queensland will limit rent increase frequency to once every 12 months starting from July 1, benefiting both new and existing tenancies and aiming to alleviate cost of living pressures for Queenslanders.

Telstra bill hike

Australia’s largest telecommunications company, Telstra, has announced plans to increase prices from July 4. The changes include higher rates for mobile postpaid plans and mobile broadband-only packages, impacting users with different package tiers.

Migration changes

Starting from July 1, several significant changes will occur in Australia’s migration strategy. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will be raised to $70,000, and a permanent residency pathway will be established for “short-term" stream TSS (subclass 482) visa holders. Kiwis living in Australia for four years or more will have the opportunity to directly apply for Australian citizenship, and some holders of subclass 485 Temporary Graduate visas will be allowed to extend their stay in Australia.

Electricity pain

The Australian Energy Regulator has confirmed an electricity price increase of 20-25% from July 1, affecting approximately 600,000 customers in South Australia, Queensland, and NSW and resulting in higher household expenses.

More cash for families

Starting from July 1, changes will be implemented to benefit families. Parental Leave Pay and Dad and Partner Pay will be combined into one payment, increasing the duration from 90 days (18 weeks) to 100 days (20 weeks). A combined family income limit of $350,000 will be introduced. Moreover, families with an income below $530,000 will receive an increased Child Care Subsidy (CCS). Changes to Child Care Subsidy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children will ensure families receive a minimum of 36 hours of subsidy per fortnight for each child attending child care.

New tax for Victorians

In the new financial year, a windfall gains tax will be imposed in Victoria on land subject to government rezoning, resulting in a value uplift exceeding $100,000. The tax calculation includes all land owned by the person or group affected by the rezoning.

Energy relief

To provide energy relief during winter, working families earning under $120,000 per year will be eligible for energy rebates of up to $500. Eligible householders in NSW, Victoria, Queensland, South Australia, and Tasmania will receive a $500 rebate on power bills, while those in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and the ACT will receive $350, with the specific amount depending on household income and location.

It is crucial to ensure the accuracy of your visa application. You can learn how to submit changes of circumstance and update your contact details through the official channels.

Recently, I received an email from Immigration regarding every parent visa I have ever lodged:

We are writing to ensure we have your most up to date details in your parent visa application.

Tell us if your situation changes

Use Parent visa processing centre form (homeaffairs.gov.au) to submit changes of circumstance.

Update your details

Use Contact Details Form – Parent Visas (homeaffairs.gov.au) to update details such as phone number, address and email. You do not need to update your details if they remain the same.

Processing times

This email does not indicate that your visa application is being finalized. We will contact you to request further information when this occurs.

Further information can be found here: Parent visas queue release dates (homeaffairs.gov.au)

[Please note, we cannot give any updates on your individual application.]

Please disregard this email if your application has been finalized.

If your information has changed, I would be happy to update this for you.

If you submitted a parent visa application from outside Australia prior to 24 March 2021 and were physically present in Australia on the 24th of March 2021, you might qualify for a Bridging visa.

This visa enables you to travel to Australia and await the completion of your visa process within the country.

For a seamless money transfer experience, reach out to Jon, our affiliate manager. Mention your affiliation as a Migrate2oz client for extra assistance in moving your funds conveniently. 

Jon Dodd

Affiliate Manager

T +27 (0) 21 418 0105

C +27 (0) 79 405 2645

E jonathan.dodd@currenciesdirect.com

Stay informed about the latest Australian Dollar exchange rate and access flight price information from Johannesburg to Perth. This will help you plan your travel effectively and make well-informed decisions.

What is the current status of the Australian dollar?

The current exchange rate between the South African Rand and the Australian Dollar is R 12.46 to the Australian Dollar.

Flight Information

For flights from Johannesburg to Perth in March, a non-stop economy return flight will range between R36,000 and R45,000 on Qantas. Alternatively, a layover flight will cost approximately R28,000 for a return trip.

(https://www.cheapflights.co.za/ and   https://www.qantas.com/za/en.html)

Processing times and Queue dates:

The following information has been updated on the Immigration website:

We estimate that it will likely take at least 12 years for new Contributory Parent visa applications that meet the criteria to be queued to be released for final processing.

For new Parent and Aged Parent visa applications that meet the criteria to be queued, the estimated processing time for finalization is at least 29 years.

*As of 30 April 2023

Based on recent visa grants and a comprehensive review of Immigration documents, the most recent request for AOS, health, and character checks for a subclass 143 visa that I received was lodged in April 2017.

South African Police clearance 6 weeks

Subclass 600 Visitor visa about 4 weeks

Subclass 870 Sponsored Parent visa

Sponsorship application 1 month

Visa application 2 months

Subclass 103 Parent visa 30 years

Subclass 804 Aged parent visa 30 years

Subclass 143 Contributory parent visa (lodged prior to Feb 2023) 6 years

Subclass 143 Contributory parent visa (lodged after Feb 2023) 12 years … apparently

Subclass 864 Contributory Aged Parent visa 12 years …??

I read a rather inciteful article on the effects of emigration on families – it’s well worth a read:

https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2023-06-20-emigration-and-its-impact-on-familial-bonds/

• As we conclude this newsletter, we hope that the information shared has provided valuable insights into the latest updates and changes in Australia. Staying informed is essential for navigating the immigration process and understanding the evolving landscape. 

• If you have any further questions or require assistance, our Senior Case Processing Consultant, Andrew Blanche, is ready to help. 

• Stay connected and informed with Migrate2oz.co.za!

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