The 2022 – 2023 Federal Budget was recently announced on 29 March 2022. Read on to find out what this means for migrants wanting to migrate to Australia in 2022-2023.
What is the key change in the 2023 Federal Budget for Migration?
The Migration Program ceiling will be maintained at 160,000 places for 2022-2023. However, there will be a change from last year’s distribution of places. 70% of these places will be distributed to Skilled Stream whilst 30% of these places will be distributed to the Family Stream.
Skilled Stream
The Government contends that the redistribution of places towards the Skilled Stream will further support the economic recovery efforts following the pandemic. As such, the Skilled Stream will account for 70% of the available places in 2022-2023.
This is a total of 109,900 places.
Skilled Stream Planning Levels
| Visa Stream | 2022-2023 | 2021-2022 |
| Employer Sponsored | 30,000 | 22,000 |
16,652 | 6500 | |
20,000 | 11,200 | |
25,000 | 11,200 | |
9,500 | 13,500 | |
8,488 | 15,000 | |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 | 200 |
| TOTAL | 109,900 | 79,600 |
The Government has also announced that the existing occupation lists will be reviewed and updated in early 2022-2023 to reflect the current labour market. This means certain occupations may be newly open for permanent migration whilst some will no longer be available for permanent migration.
Family Stream
The Family stream will be allocated the remaining 30%, accounting for 47,000 places (down from 77,300 places).
Family Stream Planning Levels
| Visa Stream | 2022-2023 | 2021-2022 |
6,000 | 4,500 | |
40,500 | 72,300 | |
| Other family | 500 | 500 |
TOTAL | 47,000 | 77,300 |
In addition to the above places, 100 places have been allocated to those with Special Eligibility to cover those in special circumstances including permanent residents returning to Australia after a period overseas. An estimated of 3,000 places will also be available to child visas but this is not subject to any ceiling.
Humanitarian Program
The 2023 Federal Budget has maintained the existing 13,750 ceiling for the humanitarian program. This is mostly aimed to support global humanitarian needs of nationals from Ukraine and Myanmar.
An additional 16,500 places will be made available to Afghan nationals and will be equally allocated over the next 4 years.
Working Holiday Program
In recognition of the importance of the visitor economy to Australia, a one-off cap increase of 11,000 places will be made available. Visa holders arriving between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 will also be eligible for a refunded visa application charge.
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