On 14 May 2024, the Australian Federal Government handed down their Federal Budget for the 2024/2025 Migration Year. Here are some key takes from the announcement:
- Planning levels for the 2024–25 permanent Migration Program (‘the program’) will be set at 185,000 places.
- Skill stream (132,200 places, approximately 71 per cent of the program) – This stream has been designed to improve the productive capacity of the economy and fill skill shortages in the labour market, particularly those in regional Australia.
- Family stream (52,500 places, approximately 28 per cent of the program) – This stream is predominantly made up of Partner visas, enabling Australians to reunite with family members from overseas and provide them with pathways to citizenship. Of this stream:
- 40,500 Partner visas are estimated for 2024–25 for planning purposes, noting this category is demand driven.
- 3,000 Child visas are estimated for 2024–25 for planning purposes, noting this category is demand driven.
- Special Eligibility stream (300 places) – This stream covers visas for those in special circumstances, including permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas.
Overall, there will be an increase of visas available for employer-sponsored categories and less visas available for independent skilled visas. This is in response to ongoing labour and skill shortages across Australia, whereby overseas talent must be sourced to fill these gaps.
More announcements are yet to be made regarding the new visa pathways to be introduced later this year and how they will fit into the above budget ceilings. Businesses seeking to provide submissions to the Jobs and Skills Australia regarding the new Core Skills Occupation List are urged to do so by 31 May 2024.
If you need advice regarding your visa prospects, contact one of our Migration Lawyers for a consultation.
Nevett Ford Lawyers – Immigration Lawyer Melbourne & Australian Citizenship Lawyer
Telephone: +61 3 9614 7111
Email: melbourne@nevettford.com.au
Visit our website: www.nevettford.com.au