Australia to revamp immigration system to ease Skilled Workers’ entry

The Federal Government of Australia will be revamping the immigration system in the nation to swiftly alluring more skilled workers and enhance the pathway to PR Visa. It does not however plan to alter the Australia Tourist Visa fees as of now.

The current points system will be modified for identifying the necessary skill sets required by the economy of Australia. Further, the Government also has plans to accelerate the Visa process for highly skilled professionals and allow provisional skilled workers to apply for PR Visas by the end of 2023.

The current Labor Government has said that the existing selection system for skilled immigrants or the points test will be altered. The aim is to recognize individuals with the accurate skill sets required by the economy of Australia for growth.

Immigration System out of order

 O Neil’ Clare the Minster of Home Affairs in Australia said that the immigration system is wrecked. It is not allowing our businesses, immigrants, and above all Australians themselves to succeed. This cannot remain so, added the Minster.

When it comes to alluring highly skilled workers, Australia competes with nations like Germany and Canada and the demand has surged due to the aging population. Thus, the Government will accelerate and ease Visa processing for highly skilled professionals and take initiatives for retaining overseas students.

Australia to revamp immigration system to ease Skilled Workers’ entry

Provisional Skilled Visa holders who were unable to apply for Australia PR Visa will be in a position to do so by the conclusion of this year. However, it will not increase the yearly intake of PR Visa holders said the Minister.

For the fiscal year 2023, Australia has hiked the intake of PR Visa holders to 195,000. It is an increase of 35,000 and for helping businesses confronting extensive scarcity of skill and vowed extra staff and funds for accelerating Visa processing.

Increase in the minimum wage for Temporary Skilled Workers

Effective from 1 July 2023, the wage threshold for temporary skilled immigrant workers will be increased to AUD 70,000 from the existing AUD 53,900. This has remained stagnant since 2023. Roughly 90% of the full-time workers in Australia are now offered more salary than the current ceiling. It has resulted in the exploitation of immigrant workers according to the Government.

The immigration system of Australia persuades 1.8 million temporary workers to remain ‘temporary permanently’. It is due to the stringent ceilings on PR Visa, according to the landmark evaluation.  

As of now, it is not evident how much of the assessment will be adopted by the Albanese Government. Meanwhile, a Press Release indicates that it will eliminate the skill list, permit an increased number of workers in Caring occupations and address long wait times for Family Class Australia Visas.

The review also added that the Skilled Occupation Lists for Employer Sponsorship are obsolete and lack evidence of success. Furthermore, these SOLs also do not reflect the expected or existing skilled labor requirements inclusive of switching to a net-zero economy and developing sovereign and critical competencies.

1.6 Million plus Temporary Visa holders in Australia

Australia had 1,639,000 Temporary Visa holders as of August 2021, inclusive of 25,000 Overseas Visitors and 1,614,000 Temporary Residents. Among Temporary Residents:

• Around 79% or 4 out of 5 resided in Capital cities
• Around 39% or 2 out of 5 had a Bachelor's degree or higher
• Food and Beverage Services were the most frequent employment industry (12%)

Head of Migrant Statistics at the Australian Bureau of Statistics Jenny Dobak said that the review offers innovative insights regarding Temporary Residents in the nation as of August 2021. These include individuals living in Australia for a minimum of 1 year on Student, Temporary Skilled, Working Holiday/WH, and Special Stream Visas (Citizens of New Zealand).

Dobak said that the latest data outlines the features of Temporary Residents in the nation and demonstrates that 92% of them have proficiency in English. Almost 39% of them have a degree at Bachelor or higher level. Nearly 50% of the students and little less than 2/3rds of the Temporary Skilled Visa holders have a minimum Bachelor’s degree, she added.

The data also offers insight into the labor market and the most frequent occupation for working Temporary Residents is Carers and Aides (7%). The most frequent occupation for Temporary Skilled Visa holders is ICT Occupations (12%).

Temporary Residents with jobs were also frequently employed in Food and Beverage Services (12%) and 23% of the Students were employed in this sector. Nearly 1.3 Million Temporary Residents stayed in Capital Cities, chiefly in Greater Sydney (26%); Greater Melbourne (24%), and Greater Brisbane (13%).

So, overall, a major revamping of the immigration system in Australia is likely to be achieved in the months ahead.

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