Australia to continue with 2020-2021 Migration Program planning levels for 2021-2022

The Department of Home Affairs of the Australian government has confirmed that the migration program for the next year will be carrying forward the 2020-2021 Migration Program of Australia.

The same number of Australia visa spaces are to be set aside for the skill stream.

Australia immigration is expected to see a post-pandemic boom.

Set annually, the Migration Program of the Australian Government is designed for achieving “a range of economic and social outcomes”. 160,000 is the total number of visa spaces available for 2020-2021. For the 2021-2022 Migration Program – as per the 2021-22 Federal Budget – the Australian Government will be maintaining the 2020-21 Migration Program planning level of 160,000. Family and Skilled Visa to be maintained at 2020-2021 levels. Skilled visas to make up about 50% of migration intake. Continued priority to be given to highly skilled migrants in Global Talent, Employer Sponsored, Investor Program, and Business Innovation visas for Australia. Family visas to have an allocation of 77,300 spaces for 2021-2022.

Australia owes much of its social and economic success to immigration across the years.

In addition to providing access to skilled workers – that bring in innovation, boost the economy as consumers, set up global connections – migration has also played an integral role in the diversity and social cohesion that make up the unique identity of Australia as a country.

Through the permanent Migration Program, the Australian Government aims at maximizing the economic and social benefits to the Land Down Under.

The Migration Program planning levels of Australia are set keeping in view the immediate as well as long-term needs of the country.

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The planning levels for the 2020-21 Migration Program were specifically targeted at –

• supporting Australia's immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while
• paving the way for future economic growth in the post COVID-19 recovery phase.

Traditionally, the permanent migration program of Australia has benefitted the economy by focusing on attracting skilled migrations to the country. Migrants, that is, who could be a part of the Australian workforce, and had a reduced likelihood of drawing on government services.

There remains a clear link between temporary and permanent migration to Australia. Australian temporary visa holders establish employment as well as social links in Australia, leading them to apply for permanent visas for Australia eventually.

As per the Department of Home Affairs, “A carefully balanced Migration Program will help Australia to recover from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and contribute to Australia’s long term economic and social outcomes.”

Considerations for planning the 2021-2022 Migration Program of Australia
Migration and population planning	An aging population, low fertility rate, and increased life expectancy have led to Australia looking upon immigration to fill in the gap in the labour force. Reducing pressure on the major cities in Australia, boosting development of regional Australia. The Department of Home Affairs will continue to engage with states and territories for ensuring that Migration Program settings are designed for filling in genuine skills shortages, while being flexible at the same time.
Attracting migrants to Australia	In the post COVID-19 scenario, a key challenge will be that of remaining globally competitive in attracting skilled migrants to the country. In view of the worldwide conditions, potential migrants are in focus in the planning. Temporary migrants in Australia are a prominent source of Australia permanent stream visa applications. As per official statistics, in 2019-20, around 80% of permanent visa applications – within the Skill Stream – were from those already within Australia.
Regional migration	Migration has played a significant role in the development of regional Australia. Migrants are being encouraged to live and work in the regional areas of Australia, thereby helping ease pressure on the major cities. In 2019, the Australian government introduced 2 new skilled regional provisional visas for Australia. In 2020-21, the regional visa category of Australia was set at 11,200 visa spaces.

As per an official Report of the Department of Home Affairs, The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs [7th Edition, May 2021], “Immigration is central to Australia’s national story and identity. From a population of about 7 million people after the Second World War, Australia has grown to a nation of more than 25.7 million people in 2021. In recent years, Australia’s population growth has largely been driven by immigration.”

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