Budget release had some surprises!
On Tuesday, the budget measure was released for 2019 to 2020. Here is a brief summary of what to expect from the federal budget for migration.
To see the Federal Budget, click here
No RSMS after October
There will be two new visa applications for regional areas:
- Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa. It replaces the existing Skilled Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 489)
- Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa. It replaces the existing Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187). The changes shifts the visa from a permanent residency to a temporary visa holder.
The new visa applications will enable skilled migrants to work and stay for five years in regional Australia. Applications for these visas will be from November 2019. It seems the RSMS 187 visa will close and there will no longer be a direct pathway to Regional PR visa in the future.
The budget measure states that over the next five years, $49.6 million (including $15.3 million in capital funding) will be given to support these new regional visas. Also, a new permanent residence for regional areas will be introduced from November 2022. This new PR visa will only be available to people who hold TR first and have met the regional work and live requirements.
For more information about the new visas and permanent residency, click here
Extension of Temporary Graduate Visas for Regional Graduates.
International students will be able to apply for another year on a second post-study work visa from November 2021. However, the applicant (international student) must complete their high education or postgraduate qualifications in a regional area. The applicant will hold a Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa while there.
Want more information on the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa, click here
Increase Working and Holiday Visa Cap for Indonesia.
The Australian government, alongside the Indonesia government had signed an Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. As a part of this agreement, the government plans to increase the annual cap for work and holiday (subclass 462) visas for Indonesian citizens. The intake for Indonesian citizens will be from 2,500 to 5,000 over the next six years.
Want more information on the Work And Holiday Visa (Subclass 462), click here
Skilled Migration Point Test (Partner)
The Skilled Migration Points Test will be adjusted. These adjustments will commence on from November 2019. If the skilled partner does not meet the existing requirements but is competent in English, additional points will also be awarded to the primary applicant.
According to the budget report it says;
“Single applicants will also be awarded additional points to ensure they are not disadvantaged. This measure is estimated to result in an unquantifiable increase in revenue over the forward estimates period.”
So they are giving extra 5 bonus points to those who have partners and those who do not then? What’s the point?? Ha Ha. Really did anyone from Home Affairs really check this release?
Reduction in Migration intake
Well its not new news but sadly, the Australian government announced that migration program will be reduce from 190 000 to 160 000 places. This will continue for the next four years. Below is the intake level:
- 108,682 places in the Skill stream
- 47,732 places in the Family stream
- 3,586 places for Child and Special Eligibility streams
For a further breakdown of the intake, click here
Visa Application Charge
The government will waive the following applications fees for:
- Temporary Activity (subclass 408) visa will be waived for athletes and officials who wish to participate in the 2019 INAS Global Games in Brisbane, and
- Competitors and officials for the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup.
However, the base visa application charge (VAC) will be increased for all visa sub-classes, with the exception of the Visitor (subclass 600) visa. The increase will be 5.4%. On the plus side, the VACs second instalment will not increase.
Here is an example. The partner (subclass 309) visa base charge is $7,160. An 5.4% increase will see the base charge now $7,546.64. Click here for the current prices.
On the plus side, the VACs second instalment will not increase.
Need help?
Unsure of how or what visa to apply for? We are here to help you. Call +61 2 8054 2537, 0434 890 199 or book online today to speak to our migration specialists.
