Australia’s Immigration Landscape Under Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
Australia is witnessing a transformative period in its immigration policies under the leadership of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, particularly following the Labour Party’s recent re-election. The government’s intention to reduce net migration signals changes that could affect various visa categories, notably the ‘Skills in Demand’ program. While caps on international student intake may not be imminent, we can expect increased fees and more stringent procedures impacting prospective migrants.
Changes in Migration Numbers and Trends
With the Indian diaspora being the second-largest migrant group in Australia, the implications of these new policies are significant. Recent statistics reveal a notable increase in the Indian-born population in the country, rising to 845,000 individuals as of June 2023, a stark contrast to 378,000 a decade prior. The 2023–24 period saw permanent residency granted to 49,848 Indian nationals, reflecting a 21% uptick from the previous year. However, this positive trend is countered by a sharp decrease in student visas granted to Indian nationals, plummeting from over 102,000 in 2022–23 to just 50,516 in the current year. Additionally, skilled worker visas have also dropped from 27,402 to 18,397.
Future Projections and Policy Implications
Anticipating further changes, immigration experts predict a continuation of the downward trend. Mike Wall, Managing Director of Gateway Immigration Solutions, noted that immigration policy became a pivotal issue in the lead-up to the recent election. Albanese’s balanced approach involves a bold 10-year migration strategy aimed at decreasing annual net migration to 250,000 by 2024-25, alongside tightening visa processes.
The government plans to gradually reduce net migration figures to 255,000 in 2025-26 and drop to 235,000 by 2026-27. This shift includes implementing stricter criteria for international students while steering immigration towards high-skilled workers.
The Impact of the ‘Skills in Demand’ Visa Program
The introduction of Australia’s ‘Skills in Demand’ visa program in December has brought new pathways and higher income thresholds for prospective skilled workers. According to Teresa Liu, Managing Partner at Fragomen, the current governmental changes will likely maintain the existing course of reforms within the Skilled Visa Program. Businesses looking to relocate talent to Australia are advised to act promptly, as planning becomes essential in navigating these changes.
Significantly, the Core Skills Occupations list is set for revision, which will result in an increase in the income threshold from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515 by July 1, 2025. Similarly, the income requirement for high-income roles under the Specialist Skills pathway is expected to rise from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210.
Processing Times and Challenges
One of the pressing concerns of current visa applicants is the alarming increase in processing times. Initially touted to take between 7 to 14 days, some applications for the Skills in Demand visa are now experiencing delays of up to 84 days. Kirkwood highlighted that numerous subclass 482 work visa applications have remained unresolved for 6 to 9 months.
This backlog extends to other employer-sponsored permanent visas, with some cases requiring up to 18 months for processing. The demand for a streamlined process is palpable, as businesses grapple with the prolonged wait times impacting their operational capabilities.
Rising Costs for International Students
The government’s intention to increase student visa fees further complicates the immigration landscape. Currently, the fee for a student visa stands at AUD 1,600—a substantial increase from AUD 710 just one year prior. Next July, this fee could surge to AUD 2,000, potentially alienating many prospective international students from choosing Australia as their educational destination.
Despite these rising costs, India continues to be a major source of international students, with 139,000 enrolled as of 2024, compared to 126,000 the year before. However, the overall temporary visa grants to Indian nationals have declined, dropping to 413,000 in 2023–24 from 584,000 the prior year.
Navigating the Future
As Australia solidifies its commitment to a more controlled and cautious immigration system, the path for prospective migrants, particularly from India, looks increasingly complex. Despite Australia remaining an attractive destination, the evolving immigration regulations, fee hikes, and stricter processes suggest that future migrants will need to approach their journey with more careful planning and consideration.
The ramifications of these policy changes will undoubtedly unfold over the coming years, shaping Australia’s demographic and economic landscape.
