New changes introduced to Australian Migration under Federal Budget 2019

The Australian Immigration Department has recently announced few migration changes in the Federal Budget of 2019 under following categories:

• Increase in the Visa Application Charges (VAC)

Base VACs for visa subclasses, except the Visitor Subclass 600 will increase by 5.4 percent from 1 July 2019 and there is no increase to the second installment of VAC. The expected increase in revenue by $275 million from 2018/19 to 2021/22

• Reduction in the Migration Program Planning Level

The immigration level for the next four years is fixed at 160,000 as opposed to 190,000 in the previous year. However, the immigration place will be easily available to the migrants willing to come and settle on a permanent basis.

• Changes in the Skilled Migration Points Test- Secondary Skilled Migrants

From November 2019, the additional points will be awarded to the primary applicants if the primary applicant’s spouse has competent English but was unable to meet the requirements for skilled partner points. Single applicants will now be able to receive additional points to ensure they are not disadvantaged-. However, complete details of the process are not yet mentioned.

• Introduction of New Regional Visa from 1^st November 2019

The new Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa will be introduced from 1 November 2019. The government is trying all possible efforts to invite skilled migrants in the regional areas to live and contribute towards the Australian economy.

• Australia Destination Study Program under regional areas

The Australian Immigration Department has announced the scholarship for International and domestic students to study in regional Australia for higher education or vocational education qualifications.

• VAC exemptions- INAS Games and T20 World Cup

Subclass 408 VACs waived for athletes and officials for the 2019 INAS Global Games in Brisbane VACs waived for competitors and officials for the International Cricket Council T20 World Cup 2020.

• Full cost recovery for Trades Recognition Australia

Fees for skills assessment related to migration, employment and licensing will be collected by TRA and will be fully recovered.