Immigration Changes May 2023; is set to see many changes come into effect as a result of Covid-19 concessions being lifted, the review into Australia’s migration system and the recent release of the federal budget.
The immigration changes May 2023, are set to take place affect various areas of migration.
So, what changes May 2023?
Student Visas
From 1st July 2023, the number of hours a study visa holder can work will revert to up to 20 hours per week. In early 2022, the Department of Home Affairs temporarily relaxed work rights for international student visa holders.
Working Holiday Makers
From 1st July, the six-month work limitation for working holiday makers will come back into effect. This means that holders of a Working Holiday Visa can only be employed by the same employer for a maximum of six months before having to find employment with another employer. In January 2022, work limitations were relaxed to accommodate the increased need for temporary workers.
Australian Citizenship Pathway for New Zealand Residents
From 1st July 2023, all New Zealand citizens residing in Australia on a Special Category Visa will be able to apply for Australian citizenship without having to become a permanent resident as long as they have lived in Australia for at least four years.
Pacific Engagement Visa
The new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) will allow up to 3,000 nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste to migrate to Australia as permanent residents each year. The program is set to commence in July 2023 and will require applicants to register themselves, their partners and dependent children in a ballot. If successful, they will then be able to apply for the visa.
Increase in Minimum Salary for Skilled Migrants
As of 1st July, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase to $70,000. This is the first increase since the TSMIT was frozen at $53,900 a decade ago. New nomination applications will need to meet this income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
The Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement enables aged care providers to employ qualified direct care workers from overseas to work in the aged care sector where qualified Australians are not available.
The Aged Care Labour Agreement can be used to sponsor overseas workers for the Temporary Skills Shortage visa (subclass 482) in the following occupations:
- Nursing Support Worker
- Personal Care Assistant
- Aged or Disabled Carer
Employers can also sponsor overseas workers for permanent residence under the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa program.
Changes May 2023, continued…
Pathway to Permanent Residence for Skilled Workers
Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neill announced that by the end of 2023, all skilled temporary workers will have a pathway to permanent residence.
Skilled Migrants Prioritised
Permanent migration planning levels will return to 190,000 places, this is a slight decrease from 195,000 place that was announced in the Labor government’s first budget back in October 2022.
137,100 places (approx. 70%) will be allocated to skilled migrants to address skills shortages. This is a decrease from the 142,400 places that were allocated in 2022/23.
Temporary Graduate Post Study Rights
From 1st July, Temporary Graduate Visa holders with select degrees will be eligible for an extra two years of post-study work rights. This is to improve the pipeline of skilled labour in key sectors.
Visa Processing and Compliance Monitoring
$75.8 million in funding will be provided to support visa processing. The funding will be allocated over two years from 2023/24.
To manage the increased number of visa applications, $48.1 million will be allocated over 12 months to support 500 visa processing officers. $27.8 million will be spent over two years (with $15.3 million per year thereafter) on upgrading existing visa ICT systems to improve visa delivery efficiency.
An additional investment of $50 million over four years from 2023/24 will be provided for additional enforcement and compliance activities to maintain the integrity of the migration system.
Visa Application Costs
Visa application costs will increase from 1st July. The visas affected by this price increase are:
- Visitor visa
- Student visa
- Working holiday visa
- Training visa
- Temporary activity visa
- Temporary work visa – short stay specialist
The increase in visa application costs is set to raise $665 million over five years. A sum the government says will be used to improve visa processing times and other government priorities.
Immigration Assessment Authority
$4 million will be provided for the Immigration Assessment Authority to continue merits reviews of unsuccessful protection visa applications eligible for fast-track review under the Migration Act 1958.
Improvements to Skills Recognition
The two Skills Assessment Pilots will be re-scoped to provide onshore migrants with fast-tracked skills assessments, free employability assessments and access to further training to improve their employment prospects.
Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services
$9.1 million dollars will be provided to extend existing youth transition support services for 12 months until 30 June 2024 to continue settlement services to young refugees and migrants to improve their employment outcomes.
To ensure continued support for refugees and migrants who have been in Australia for longer than five year and have unresolved settlement related needs, the 5-year maximum duration of eligibility for services under the Settlement Engagement and Transition Support Service, the National Community Hubs Program and Youth transition services will be removed.
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
An improved delivery model for the Adult Migrant English Program will be implemented utilising existing funding. The changes will provide improved English language, employment and settlement outcomes for migrants by providing flexible tuition options, the introduction of a national curriculum, supporting professional development for teachers and enhancing client support and performance management.
Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme
Additional places will be created for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme workers from the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste in priority sectors to fill labour shortages in Australia.
If you have any questions about the upcoming changes May 2023 to immigration, contact the experienced team of registered visa agents at Visa Solutions Australia.
