Australia’s new Migration Strategy sets out significant reforms to migration system

Australia’s new Migration Strategy

The Migration Strategy defines 5 fundamental objectives for Australia's migration system. To realize these aims, the Government will device eight key initiatives, supported by over 25 new policy commitments and existing governmental pledges. The reforms are centred around:

• Targeted skilled migration and the launch of streamlined pathways for top global talent.
• Raised standards for international students and education providers to improve quality in international education.
• Visa adjustments targeted at addressing worker exploitation and safeguarding wages and working conditions.
• Assistance for regional Australia to accelerate the recruitment of skilled workers.
• A novel approach to migration planning designed to re-establish migration to pre-pandemic levels and make certain the right skills are in the right locations.

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8 Key Actions

A few measures already implemented by the Government, the eight key actions outlined in the Migration Strategy contribute to the enhancement of the migration system management. These measures are expected to facilitate a significant rebound in migration, aiming to bring it close to pre-pandemic levels by the upcoming financial year.

1. Targeting temporary skilled migration to address skills needs and promote worker mobility

A new Skills in Demand visa with 3 targeted ways, and visa settings that inspire migrant worker flexibility in the labour requirements

New commitments include:

• A new Specialist Skills Pathway to make it easier for country to draw highly skilled workers, for example in the technology or green energy industries
• A Core Skills Pathway to fulfil targeted workforce requirements, with a simpler, regularly updated occupation list for the skills Australia needs
• New visa settings that give migrant workers more mobility in the labour market to help tackle worker exploitation and drive productivity
• Updated labour market testing and visa processing.

2. Redesigning permanent skilled migration to drive long-term prosperity

A commitment to discover a improved points test for permanent skilled migration, and a new Talent and Innovation visa for migrants who can drive development in sectors of national importance.

3. Reinforcement of the integrity and quality of international education

A package of integrity procedures to lift the standards for overseas students and education providers, while making certain that the graduates help meet skills shortages and do not become ‘permanently temporary’.

New commitments include:

• Higher English language requirements for foreign students and graduates
• More analysis of high-risk student visa applications and a $19m investment into DHA visa integrity unit
• Limits on onshore visa hopping that weakens system integrity and drives lengthened and simplified Temporary Graduate visa settings
• Actions to support foreign students and graduates to realise their potential

4. Tackling worker exploitation and the misuse of the visa system

A inclusive suite of legislation, powers, penalties and strategies to combat worker exploitation and reinstate integrity to the migration system

New commitments include:

• A new public register of employer sponsors to develop integrity and support migrant worker mobility

5. Planning migration to get the right skills in the right places

A longer-term, evidence-based approach to planning migration that closely co-operates with states and territories and make certain population planning is based on the best available population data and estimates.

New commitments include:

• A new tactic to planning permanent migration over the long-term and greater state and territory co-operation on net overseas migration forecasts.

6. Modifying regional visas and the Working Holiday Maker Program to help and support regional Australia and its workers

A new direction to make certain that visas for regional Australia are preferred first, and a commitment to evaluating regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program to make certain migration supports development aims in regional Australia and does not contribute to worker exploitation.

New commitments include:

• A new direction to make certain regional visas get the highest priority visa processing.

7. Expanding people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific

A new approach to developing people-to-people links with region, including through a direct pathway to citizenship for New Zealanders and increased mobility with Pacific Island and Southeast Asian countries

8. Simplifying the migration system to enhance the experience for migrants and employers

A system-wide simplification agenda that will update visa settings, decrease visa classes and make the system stress-free to use.

New commitments include:

• The removal of 20+ needless and duplicative visas to streamline the visa system.

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To get latest immigration updates and apply for immigration to Australia in 2024, you may contact Visas Avenue Australia Migration Expert  on Toll-Free No. 78-18-000-777 or you can drop us an e-mail at info@visasavenue.com.

- Rajneesh Kumar