Federal Budget 2022 – 2023 Immigration Summary
The Treasurer delivered the Federal Budget on 29 March 2022.
It has been announced that the Australian Government will reinstate Migration Program planning levels to 160,000 in 2022-23.
This year’s Budget contains the following immigration related announcements:
Skilled Visa Streams
The Australian Government will be redistributing places from the partner program to skilled stream visas in recognition of the sharp fall in the number of on-hand Partner visa applications and the need for further support towards economic recovery.
Skilled stream visas will account for 70% of the program with a total of 109,900 places.
This is an approximate increase of 30,000 places over the 2021-22 program with around 10,000 places being redistributed from the partner program.
Family Streams
Family visas will be allocated the remaining 30% of places within the program.
As previously mentioned, Parent visas have received only a small increase in allocation due to the decline in on hand Partner visa applications.
Humanitarian Program
The Humanitarian Program will be maintained at 13,750 places in 2022-23. The government has emphasized that the size of the program will remain as a ceiling, not a target.
To support regional settlement, the Government is committed to settling 50% of humanitarian entrants in regional Australia.
Afghanistan – $665.9 million will be allocated over the 4 years from 2022-23 for an additional 16,500 humanitarian places for Afghan nationals.
Myanmar – the Government will continue to work with international partners.
Ukraine – the Government will make available up to 4,000 three year Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visas (Subclass 786) to Ukrainians across 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Youth Transition Support – $9.2 million will be provided to extend existing Youth Transition Support services for 12 months to 30 June 2023.
Human Rights Advocacy – $1 million will be available over 5 years from 2022-23 to establish a Human Rights Advocacy Program to provide grants of up to $100,000 to human-rights focused organisations to advance Australia’s human rights priorities (funded by DFAT).
Reform of Settlement Strategies and Services -from 1 July 2022, the Government will reduce the visa application charge to 40% of the current rate for primary applicants to the Community Support Program and remove it entirely for secondary applicants. The number of places available in the program will also increase from 750 to 1,900 places by 2024-25.
Specific Visa Programs and Streams
Global Talent Attraction
The Government will provide $19.5 million over 2 years from 2022 23 to attract talented individuals and international investment to Australia.
Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Allocation
$127 million has been allocated from the Fund for training for occupations in high demand that rely on skilled migration, future growth industries, rural and regional areas, and with a strong focus on apprenticeships and traineeships.
Work and Holiday Visas
WHM places will increase by 11,000 (30%) in 2022-23.
WHM visa holders who arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will be eligible for a refunded VAC.
Australian Agricultural Visas
The Department of Regional Development will receive $15 million for operational staff over four years through to 2024-25 to fund an increase in deterrence and enforcement activities aimed to combat worker exploitation and minimise rates of non-compliance under the scheme.
Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot
The Temporary Visa Holders experiencing violence pilot is funded by the Department of Social Services and has been provided $20.3 million in funding to provide direct support to women on temporary visas experiencing violence.
Further information and assistance
If you would like further information on the recently announced Federal Budget or wish to schedule a consultation please contact our team of immigration lawyers and registered migration agents on 1300 083 843 or via email at [email protected].