Upcoming immigration changes you need to know for FY 2023-2024 (PART 2)
Highlights
Here are the visa changes and opportunities that will take effect this year following a review of Australia's migration system and the government's federal budget.
Skilled migrants will be prioritized
In the 2023-24 program, the government plans to allocate 190,000 places for permanent migration, with approximately 70% (137,100 places) dedicated to skilled migrants to tackle ongoing skill shortages. This allocation is slightly lower than the 142,400 places in the previous year's program.
Additionally, the family stream, mainly consisting of partner visas, will be allocated 52,000 places. Partner and child visas will remain demand-driven.
Extension of the current surge in visa processing resources
The government has allocated $125.8 million over four years to speed up visa processing. This funding comprises $75.8 million over two years to sustain the current increase in visa processing resources. Additionally, an allocation of $50 million over four years (with an ongoing amount of $15.3 million per year) has been designated for extra enforcement and compliance activities to uphold the integrity of the migration system.
Visa application costs increase
The federal government announced its plan to raise visa application fees for several types starting from 1st July. The affected visa categories include visitor visas (subclass 600), which impact tourists, student visas (subclass 500) for international students, and working holiday visas commonly used by backpackers.
Additionally, visa application charges will also increase for other types such as work and holiday visas, training visas, temporary activity visas, and temporary work short-stay specialist visas. The fee increase will not impact the Pacific Engagement Visa and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme.
How to take advantage of the changes
The visa application charges will be increasing soon. This means that if you've been contemplating lodging your visa application, now is the perfect time to take action. By submitting your application before the fee hike takes effect, you can save a significant amount of money. Don't miss out on this opportunity to secure your visa at a lower cost. Our team is here to assist you every step of the way. We understand the intricacies of the visa application process and will ensure that your application is prepared accurately and efficiently.
Remember, the clock is ticking, and the fee hike is just around the corner. Take advantage of the current charges and secure your visa without delay.
