More Vacancies for Skill and Family visa stream applicants

The Department of Home Affairs has created a new program to increase Australia’s economic recovery and drive social cohesion after the downwards effects on the economy as a result of Covid-19. The 2022-23 Migration Program plan is to create a large number of vacancies across Skilled and Family stream visas. The number of vacancies for skilled visa streams is currently estimated at 109,000 places available with the target to improve the production capacity of the economy and satisfy skill shortages in all areas across Australia metro and regional.

There are now also an estimated 50,000 places available for family visa applicants, with the purpose of reuniting family members from overseas, creating citizenship opportunities and more partner visa opportunities. The Department hopes that with these new available vacancies they can speed up processing times of applications in order to return Australia’s economy to its original state and reunite families after the negative impacts of Covid-19.

There are also 100 places available for those in special circumstances, including permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.

Below find the estimated vacancies for the skilled stream for a particular visa category

Visa category	Vacancies in 2021-22	Vacancies in 2022-23
Employee Sponsored	22,000	30,000
Skilled Independent	6,500	16,652
Regional	11,200	25,000
State/Territory Nominated	11,200	20,000
Business, Innovation and Investment	13,500	9,500
Global Talent (independent)	15,000	8,448
Distinguished Talent	200	300

Below find the estimated vacancies for the Family stream for a particular visa category

Visa Category

Visa Category	Vacancies in 2021-22	Vacancies in 2022-23
Partner	72,300	40,500
Parent	4,500	6,000
Child	3,000	3,000
Other Family	500	500

The Migration Program 2022-23 also has made available nomination allocations in the visa categories listed below.

	ACT	NSW	NT	QLD	SA	TAS	VIC	WA
Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) Visa	800	7,160	600	3,000	2,700	2,000	9,000	5,350
Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) Visa	1,920	4,870	840	1,200	3,180	1,350	2,400	2,790
Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP)	10	260	15	235	70	10	170	40