Australian Federal Budget 2023-24 for Immigration
The Australian Federal Government has laid down its immigration plans and strategy for the next fiscal year after the ruling Labour Government presented its budget plans on 9 May 2023.
The Government’s migration plans are designed “to address persistent and emerging skills shortages and to attract people with specialist skillsets that are difficult to find or develop in Australia,” the Department of Home Affairs. Several measures in the budget include boosting skilled migration and delivering the skills required to support and improve the Australian economy while also improving the outcomes for skilled migrants and Australian workers.
Changes In Migration Planning Levels
Permanent Migration Program planning level has been set at 190,000 places for 2023-24, a decrease from last year’s 195,000.
The composition is as follows:
| Stream | Number of places | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills stream | 137,100 | |
| Family stream | 52,500 | |
| Special Eligibility stream | 400 |
The Skills stream is broken down further as:
| Stream | Number of places | |
|---|---|---|
| Employer Sponsored | 36,825 | |
| Skilled Independent | 30,375 | |
| Regional | 32,300 | |
| State/Territory Nominated | 30,400 | |
| Business Innovation & Investment | 1,900 | |
| Global Talent (Independent) | 5,000 | |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 | |
The Family stream is broken down further as:
| Stream | Number of places | |
|---|---|---|
| Partner visa | 40,500 | |
| Child visa | 3,000 | |
| Parent | 8,500 | |
| Child | 3,000 | |
| Other Family | 500 |
Extra Two Years for Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) Visa Holders (Post Study Work Rights Stream) with Selected Degrees
International graduate students with a selected degree are to be granted an additional 2 years (up to 4 years in total) of post-study work rights starting 1 July 2023.
Additional training places in priority sectors for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility scheme workers especially from the Pacific countries and Timor-Leste.
Skills Assessment Pilots will be re-scoped to improve onshore migrant workers’ skills assessment and more access to training to improve their employment prospects.
Working Hours Limitation for International Students Extended
International student visa holders will have a fortnightly work hour limit of 48 hours starting 1 July 2023.
This excludes students working in the aged care sector.
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
New delivery mode for Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) will be implemented.
Immigration Assessment Authority Funding
$9.1 million will be allocated to provide support to existing Youth Transition Support Services for 12 months until 30 June 2024.
Government Fees & Charges Increase
Effective 1 July 2023, the Government has raised the Visa Application Charges from 6% to 40%, depending on the visa subclass.
The increase is broken down as follows:
| VISA CLASS | INCREASE (IN %) | |
|---|---|---|
| Business Innovation and Investment visa | 40 | |
| Visitor, working holiday, work and holiday, training, temporary activity and temporary work (short stay specialist) visas | 15 | |
| Other visas | 6 | |
| Pacific Engagement Visa and Pacific Australia Labour Mobility visas | Exempted |
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) Increase
Effective 1 July 2023, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is set to increase from $53,900 to $70,000.
Plans for Victims of Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking
| FUNDING (IN MILLIONS OF AU$) | PURPOSE | |
|---|---|---|
| $38.2 | To support Escaping Violence Payment and Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot applicants and holders | |
| $24.3 ($5.9 in succeeding years) | To pilot an additional referral pathway for the Support for Trafficked People Program (STPP), restructure the program to cater to the current and future demand |
Increase in Visa Processing, Compliance and Monitoring Efforts
| FUNDING (IN MILLIONS OF AU$) | PURPOSE | |
|---|---|---|
| $75.8 | Management of current visa applications | |
| $50 ($15.3 in succeeding years) | Additional enforcement and compliance activities |
Support for Eligible High Court Case Precedent
| FUNDING (IN MILLIONS OF AU$) | PURPOSE | |
|---|---|---|
| $5.5 | Support a pathway to permanent residency to eligible individuals under the tripartite test established in Mabo v Queensland [No. 2] (1992) 175 CLR 1, because of the Love v Commonwealth and Thoms v Commonwealth (2020) 270 CLR 152. | |
How Can Agape Henry Crux Help
If you have previously applied for a waiver and been denied, we highly suggest that you speak with a lawyer to not further risk your visa application. At Agape Henry Crux, our Accredited Specialist(s) in Immigration Law with our team of immigration lawyers and migration agents are specialized in handling highly complex matters. You can schedule with one of our lawyers 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.
This article/presentation (“publication”) does not deal extensively with important topics or changes in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you find this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances, please contact our office.