Summary of the Federal Budget 2022-23 by Morrison Government

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) gives an overview of the Federal Budget 2022-23 to its members. The Federal Budget covers some announcements related to immigration. Besides the Migration Planning levels for 2022-23, most of what is included in this budget has already been revealed.

Migration Program Numbers

In 2022-23, the Australian Government will restore Migration Program planning levels to 160,000 people. Net Overseas Migration is predicted to rise from -89,000 in 2020-21 to 41,000 in 2021-22. Then, it’ll increase from 180,000 people in 2022-23 before rising to 213,000 in 2024-25.

Federal Budget 2022-23 for Skilled Stream

Skilled stream visas will consist of 70% of the program, with 109,900 places available. It shows an increase of up to 30,000 positions over the 2021-22 program, with 20,000 of these places. Consequently, there’ll be an overall increase in the program and a redistribution of 10,000 from the partner program.

The Australian Government claims this redistribution shows a significant decrease in the number of Partner visa applications currently on file. It’ll help recover the Australian economy even more by expanding the number of places available for skilled visa applicants.

Skilled Stream Planning levels

screen1

Federal Budget 2022-23 for Family Stream

Family visas will get the remaining 30% of program places, with 10,000 places switched from the Partner visa category to the skilled stream. The Budget papers include a little curious statement.

It states that:

Partner visa granting arrangements will move to a more demand driven basis going forward.

The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) will seek more details to clarify this statement. While the number of Parent visas has been increased a little bit.

Family Stream Planning Levels

scrn 2

Humanitarian Program

The Humanitarian Program will continue to be in place at 13,750 locations. The size of a Humanitarian Program will be like a ceiling not a target. The Australian Government has agreed to settle 50% of all humanitarian arrivals in regional Australia. The purpose of this step is to encourage regional settlement.

Countries for Humanitarian Program

Afghanistan

From 2022 to 2023, $665.9 million will be granted over 4 years for further 16,500 humanitarian places for Afghan nationals. This boosts the overall number of places available for Afghans in the migration program to 31,5000 for the next 4 years.

This contains the 10,000 already announced as coming under the Humanitarian Program. While 5,000 were announced as arriving under the Family stream.

Myanmar

The Australian Government will continue to work closely with foreign partners.

Ukraine

By 2021-22 and 2022-23, Australia will grant up to 4,000 three-year Temporary Humanitarian Concern 786 Visas to Ukrainians. However, the majority of Ukrainians are likely to settle in Europe.

Youth Transition Support

$9.2 million will be granted to expand current Youth Transition Support services for a year until June 30, 2023. It aims to keep providing services to young humanitarian entrants and vulnerable migrants.

It’ll improve their participation in school and community sports. Furthermore, it’ll assist in their transition to employment.

Human Rights Advocacy

From 2022-23, $1 million will be made available to inaugurate the Rights Advocacy Program. It’ll give up to $100,000 to human-rights organizations to advance Australia’s human-rights priorities. These organizations are funded by DFAT (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade).

Changes to Settlement Strategies and Services

The Australian Government will decrease the visa application fee to 40% of the current rate from July 1, 2022. This facility will be for primary applicants to the Community Support Program. It’ll be completely removed for the secondary applicants.

By 2024-25, it’ll also expand the number of slots available in the program from 750 to 1,900 places. One of the primary aims of the Community Refugee Integration and Settlement Pilot will be to ensure that communities from across regional Australia can directly engage in the settlement of refugees. The funds will support community sponsorship of up to 1,500 refugees across Australia.

Specific Australian Visa Programs and Streams

Attracting Global Talent

The government will invest $19.5 million over 2 years, beginning in 2022-23 to support the Global Business, Talent, and Investment Taskforce. However, it’s now known as the Global Australia Taskforce to hire talented individuals and foreign investment to Australia.

Skilling Australians Fund Allocation

The amount collected with the SAF Levy isn’t specifically reported in the Budget papers. The Fund has provided $127 million for training for high-demand jobs. It relies on skilled migration, future growth industries, rural and regional areas. Its major focus is on apprenticeships and traineeships.

Federal Budget 2022-23 for Work and Holiday Visa

In 2022-23, the number of WHM slots will increase by 11,000 (30%). If you arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022, you’ll get a refunded Visa Application Charge. Though, you must enter Australia as a Working Holiday Maker Visa Holder.

Agricultural Visas of Australia

Australia has announced $87.2 million over 4 years from 2021-22 and $23.4 million per year from 2025-26 for the Australian Agriculture Visa in December 2021. The Department of Regional Development will get $15 million over four years for operational employees from 2024 to 2025.

It’ll fund an upgrade in prevention and enforcement actions to address labor exploitation. It also targets reducing non-compliance rates under the program. In addition, the government will clarify the tax status of income made by employees via the Australian Agriculture Visa scheme. It was introduced in MYEFO 2021-22.

Temporary Visa Holders Facing Violence Pilot

The Department of Social Services is funding the Temporary Visa Holders who’re victims of violence pilot project. They’ve received $20.3 million in funding to give direct assistance to women on temporary visas who are victims of violence.

Up to $3,000 per person/family may be granted to cover expenditures such as housing and medical care. This funding included $7 million over 2 years for nine Women’s and Community Legal Services countrywide. It’ll be used to assist women in obtaining legal help and migration support, with the remaining funding used for an assessment.

Watch

Australian Immigration Latest News 2022 | Federal Budget 2022-23

Department of Home Affairs – Financial Resourcing

The overall resourcing for the six functional units portfolio (e.g., Immigration, Border Force, Customs, etc.) contains the Home Affairs portfolio. It’ll raise by 11%, from $3.7 billion to $3.9 billion.

Staffing Allocation

In the financial year 2022-23, the total number of positions in the Home Affairs portfolio would rise by 398, from 13,612 to 14,010.

Federal Budget 2022-23 – Final Words!

The Morrison Government has introduced a Federal budget 2022-23 as a strategy for a stronger future. This Federal budget 2022-23 will help develop a wealthier, stable, and secure region. It’ll shape the strategic environment of Australia.

It’ll promote the national interests of Australia in the face of increased global uncertainty. If you want to know more about the federal budget, you can book a consultation with us.

Source:

Migration Institute of Australia

Nasir Nawaz

I’m Nasir Nawaz. I’m a registered migration consultant in Australia. I am based in Sydney. I’ve studied Master of Laws at the University of New South Wales. I’m providing immigration services for several years.

Consult with me for legal advice on Australian visas to permanently live, study, and work in Australia.