Key Updates: Federal Government to Increase Australia's Protection Visa Intake
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Hon. Andrew Giles MP, announced on Friday, 11 August 2023, that the Federal Government is increasing the number of people eligible for Australia’s Humanitarian Program.
From the usual 17,875 slots allocated each year, it will go up to 20,000 starting this year in 2023, to “ensure Australia plays its part in responding to the global humanitarian crisis, at a time where more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced and more than 2 million people are in urgent need of resettlement worldwide.” This is reflective of the current state of the world whereby civil unrest and war has broken out across the Ukraine, Syria, Afghanistan and Myanmar. According to data from the United Nations Refugee Agency, in their June 2023 Global Trends report, around 108.4 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced at the end of 2022. This is indicative of the need for all countries to step up and take action to assist with this global humanitarian crises.
The move comes as the Albanese Government aims to deliver a humanitarian program that will provide refugees with certainty and security in rebuilding their lives in Australia and contribute to the country’s economy and society.
“The Albanese Government reaffirms its commitment to those in need with an increase in our Humanitarian Program annual intake,” Giles said, adding that the plan extends beyond their arrival and will include providing “robust support” to refugees in order to help them adjust to their new life in Australia and rebuild their lives with certainty.
It is widely recognised by research that the contributions that humanitarian visa holders make to Australia’s economic and cultural capital cannot be underestimated. In research commissioned by the the Department of Immigration and Citizenship itself in 2011, it was found that this cohort makes a significant contributions to Australia through lifetime settlement here, particularly in regional areas of Australia. The changes announced by the Federal Government will ensure that Australia continues to focus on diversity and building a country that welcomes migrants.
However, the minister also warned that the country’s Operation Sovereign Borders policy will remain in place, and anyone who comes to Australia unlawfully will be asked to return to their home country or another country.
The same also applies to people who have been found to have not been engaged with the country’s protection obligations and did not exhaust all means to stay in Australia legally.
“With more people displaced worldwide than ever before, the Albanese Labor Government is stepping up to play its part in the global resettlement effort in a responsible way,” Giles said.
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you need assistance with your protection visa application, contact us at Agape Henry Crux. Our Accredited Specialist(s) Immigration Lawyers and our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents specialise in handling highly complex matters. You can book one of our lawyers or agents to seek professional advice by calling 02-8310 5230 or emailing us at info@ahclawyers.com.
We speak fluent English, Mandarin, and Malay. If this isn’t your language, we can also help you arrange an interpreter.
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