Australian government is desperately trying to fill skill shortages
Article Highlights
Australia offers easier permanent residency pathways for skilled migrants.
Post-study work rights and unlimited work hours for international students.
Faster processing for skilled visa applications to continue in 2023.
Living and working permanently in Australia will no longer just be a dream. With the introduction of new migration policies in 2023, the process will now be much more efficient.
For starters, the Australian government is committed to attracting more migrants into the country and aiming to keep them for the long haul. The country responded to an increased migrant intake by
increasing the permanent migration of skilled workers,
adjusting its international student visa program,
speeding up visa processing for foreign workers.
Millions more migrants are expected to enter Australia in the years ahead under the permanent migration program. With the current migration plans, the country is determined to make it an easy ride for migrants.
Easier PR pathway for skilled migrants
On 8 December 2022, the Department of Home Affairs issued an additional 35,000 additional invitations for skilled migrants. The desperation to fill in the skill shortage in the country has been an ongoing trend. In this regard, almost all states have modified their occupation list and criteria to attract more applicants based on their skill needs.
For a Melbourne-based migration agent, Navjot Kailay, it has been an incredible year for approvals and visa applications. In his line of work, he has witnessed an approval rate for applicants at 65 points, something he said was "unimaginable" a year ago.
Australia has been looking ahead to an efficient future with its plan to make permanent residency more accessible to younger skilled migrants.
Incentivized international students
If you are a student visa holder, now is the best time to hustle at work. As labor shortages are still a pressing problem in Australia, the student visa work hours have been temporarily relaxed until 30 June 2023. This means that all ongoing students, new student arrivals, and secondary applicants can work more than 40 hours a fortnight in any sector.
A much greater opportunity is waiting ahead for Indian student visa holders as Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA) came into action on December 29. The Indian government has proposed an increase in the duration of post-study work rights for Indian students, and the timeline for the implementation will be announced this year 2023.
Faster visa processing to continue in 2023
Immigration Minister Andrew Giles is continuing to ramp up the processing times of visa applications by hiring additional staff and removing inefficient systems.
The government is dedicated to improving the speed of visa processing this year by conducting a comprehensive review of the migration system. It will not only ensure meeting economic challenges but will also create a better experience for migrants planning to live and work in Australia.
What does this mean for you?
These new improvements in the immigration process are greatly advantageous for migrants who are planning to live and work permanently in Australia. However, it is also important to note that some of these new policies are temporary and subject to change from time to time. For this reason, take advantage of these limited opportunities while the need still exists.
You can fully take advantage of these limited opportunities with the proper guidance and assistance from our experts. We have been in the industry for more than 20 years, and our longstanding experience allows us to give your desired outcome.
