PROGRAM AND VISA ALLOCATIONS
The Government has planned for a total of 160,000 within the next fiscal year. However, given the ongoing border closures that and strict exemption system likely to remain in force until mid 2021, it is far more likely the number of total migration to Australia will be less than half of that.
a large portion of the allocation is dedicated to skilled migration and work sponsorship related visas accounting for just over half of the total allocation of 160,000. Within Skilled migration priority will be given to hilly skilled migrants, employer sponsorship and the innovation and investment visa programs.
following closely behind the skilled migration programs is the family visa program with 77,000 allocated places. the government will continue its current policy of prioritising onshore applications and in particular onshore partner applications.
The cap on Humanitarian Program places will remain at 13,750 places
Other than the announcement that student visa work caps will be lifted for certain industries The budget didn't have much to say for offshore students and student entry to Australia, other than “small, phased programs” for international students will start late this year.
AUSTRALIANS OVERSEAS
An announcement was made that $120 million over four years is to be spent enhancing Australia’s ability to assist Australians stuck overseas during these times.
currently, approximately 30,000 Australians seek to return home including around 9,000 in India where the coronavirus situation is particularly devastating overseas have registered with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade as wanting to return home.
This includes around 9,000 Australians wishing to return home from coronavirus-ravaged India, 900 of which are classified as vulnerable.
FUNDING FOR AAT AND APPEALS CASE OVERLOAD
The government has pledged $50 million in additional funds over four years to help reduce the backlog in migration and refugee cases at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). the average time for a case to be finalised by the tribunal is just shy of 2 years.
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