๐จ This is your final opportunity to submit an application for a 408 COVID-19 Pandemic Visa.
From September 2, 2023, to January 31, 2024, only individuals who currently hold a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa are eligible to apply for a new COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
Please note that starting from February 1, 2024, the COVID-19 Pandemic event visa program will no longer accept applications.
If you submit your application on or after September 2, 2023:
You will be required to pay a Visa Application Charge (VAC). Additional charges apply for each family member applying for the visa with you.
If your application is approved, your visa will permit a stay in Australia for a maximum of six months.
For those who applied before September 2, 2023, if your application is approved, your visa will allow a stay in Australia for up to 12 months (or up to 2 years for TGV holders). ๐ ๐ฆ๐บ
Congratulations ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐. on the grant of ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ ๐๐๐ฆ๐ฉ๐จ๐ซ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฎ๐๐ญ๐ – ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐ช๐ฎ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ญ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ – ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐!
Granted in 1.5 Months Only
Lodgement Date: 08 August 2023
Grant Date: 19 September 2023
Congratulations to Umair Yousaf for the grant of the graduate visa 485 (subsequent entrant) of his spouse, U. from Pakistan.
Umair was the lucky client who received his auto-grant for the 485 visa without the need of providing a provisional skill assessment during the concession period.
Soon after he received his visa grant, he wanted to apply for his wife to reunite with him in Australia. However, Umair was very worried because his wife’s student visa was rejected recently in October 2022.
With the help of our professional migration agent, we quickly applied for Umair’s wife subsequent entrant visa and explain her visa history. After just around 1.5 months, Umair’s wife has received her visa grant in a record breaking time.
We are extremely happy for Umair and his spouse and their expecting baby as well! We wish the couple all the best!
Do not hesitate to contact EMK Migration team for assistance in bringing your loved ones from overseas to Australia.
Congratulations ๐๐ซ. ๐. ๐๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ฌ๐๐ข๐ง for the approval of a ๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐ฎ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฌ๐ ๐ ๐ซ๐๐ง๐ญ!
Visa Grant Date: 10 September 2023
Congratulations S. Hussain on your Visa Grant!
If your visa is also about to expire and you want to continue to stay in Australia or you want to study abroad in Australia, please contact EMK Global immediately for further support!
Population As of June 2021, Australia was home to 268,170 individuals of Vietnamese origin, marking a notable increase of 29.2 percent from the 207,620 recorded in June 2011. The Vietnamese-born community stands as the sixth-largest migrant group in Australia, representing 3.6 percent of the overseas-born population and 1.0 percent of the total Australian population.
Key Characteristics of Vietnamese-born Migrants in Australia:
Median age: 48.4 years, which is 10.1 years higher than that of the general population.
Gender distribution: Females constitute 56.3 percent, while males make up 43.7 percent of this group. [Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australiaโs Population by Country of Birth]
Permanent Migration Australia’s Permanent Migration Program encompasses both economic and family migration, serving as the primary pathway to obtain permanent residency. It comprises three main categories:
Skill Stream Visas The Skill stream is tailored for individuals possessing the skills, qualifications, and entrepreneurial aptitude most in demand within the Australian economy. This stream encompasses seven components:
Business Innovation and Investment
Distinguished Talent
Employer Sponsored
Global Talent (Independent)
Regional
Skilled Independent
State/Territory Nominated
Family and Child Stream Visas The Family stream facilitates the permanent migration of close family members, including partners and parents, of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. Moreover, it provides avenues for additional family members, such as aged dependent relatives, carers, remaining relatives, and orphan relatives, to unite with their families in Australia.
Child visas enable the permanent migration of children born to Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. The Child visa includes two categories: Child and Adoption visas.
Special Eligibility Visas Special Eligibility visas grant former residents and specific individuals who have served in the Australian Defence Force the opportunity to establish permanent residency in Australia.
The subsequent table presents the scale of permanent migration from Vietnam categorized by the respective migration streams.
Migration category
2018โ19
2019โ20
2020โ21
2021โ22
Business Innovation and Investment
478
368
1,144
1,339
Employer Sponsored
736
569
410
821
Skilled Regionalย 1
11
n/a
n/a
n/a
Skilled Independent
425
156
82
27
State/Territory Nominated
538
702
433
612
Regionalย 2
n/a
669
343
481
Global Talent (Independent)ย 3
n/a
107
325
247
Partner
2,697
2,245
4,749
2,421
All other categories
647
582
634
544
Total places granted
5,532
5,398
8,120
6,492
Source: Department of Home Affairs
1ย The Skilled Regional category closed to new applications from 1 July 2019.
2ย The Regional migration category commenced 1 July 2019.
3โย Global Talent (Independent) category commenced 4 November 2019.
Temporary Migration to Australia
Australia welcomes individuals from around the world for temporary stays, catering to various purposes. These temporary visits can encompass leisure, business, education, employment, specialized activities, and more, often extending beyond three months. There are six primary categories of temporary residents, though not all categories apply to migrants from every country.
Visitor Visas Visitor visas serve individuals primarily visiting Australia for holidays, tourism, recreational activities, or to reunite with family and friends. They may also be used for certain short-term business endeavors that do not involve employment in Australia.
Working Holiday Maker Program The Working Holiday Maker Program offers young adults the opportunity to embark on an extended holiday experience in Australia while engaging in short-term work and study activities.
Student Visa The Student visa program facilitates international students’ arrival in Australia to pursue full-time studies in registered courses.
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) Visa This visa category enables businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers when they cannot find suitably skilled Australian citizens or permanent residents to fill specific skilled positions.
Other Temporary Visas Other temporary visas encompass a diverse range of categories, allowing individuals to undertake short-term, specialized work, contribute to social and cultural development, strengthen international relations, or participate in training programs beneficial to Australia.
New Zealand Citizens Under the 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, New Zealand citizens have the privilege of freely entering and departing Australia. They can also establish indefinite residency in Australia upon the granting of a Special Category visa (subclass 444).
The following table provides data on the number of visa grants issued to migrants from Vietnam, covering Visitor, Student, Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment), and Working Holiday Maker visas.
Temporary visa category
2018โ19
2019โ20
2020โ21
2021โ22
Visitor
72,852
56,001
6,124
25,167
Student
11,988
10,706
6,776
9,243
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment)
1,401
706
465
1,076
Working Holiday Maker
343
922
381
1,945
Other temporary visa grantsย 1
3,494
2,952
2,556
2,822
Total temporary visa grants
90,078
71,287
16,302
40,253
Source: Department of Home Affairs
1Excludes Transit visa (subclass 771), Border visa (subclass 773) and Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988).
Main Occupations The following table shows the main occupations for nationals of Vietnam, based on Skill stream migration outcomes and Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa grants.
Period
ย Temporary Resident ย (Skilled Employment) visas
No. of migrants
Skill stream migration
No. of migrants
2021โ22
ย
Accountantsโ
62โ
Accountants
190
ย
Chefsโ
54
Registered nursesโ
87
ย
Software and applications programmersโ
51
Software and applications programmersโ
79
ย
Bakers and pastrycooksโ
42
Chefsโ
51
ย
Cooksโ
33
Cafe and restaurant managersโ
36
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurersโ
12
Civil engineering professionalsโ
31
ย
ICTโ business and systems analysts
9
Cooksโ
27
ย
Management and organisation analystsโ
8
Early childhood (pre-primary school) teachersโ
25
ย
Mechanical engineering draftspersons and techniciansโ
8
Social workersโ
21
ย
Cafe and restaurant managersโ
7
Chemical and materials engineersโ
19
2020โ21
ย
Bakers and pastrycooks
36
Accountants
110
ย
Software and applications programmers
24
Software and applications programmers
70
ย
Cooks
23
Registered nurses
49
ย
Accountants
19
Civil engineering professionals
28
ย
Chefs
18
Bakers and pastrycooks
21
ย
Other personal service workers
11
Medical laboratory scientists
20
ย
Cafe and restaurant managers
10
ICT business and systems analysts
20
ย
Advertising and marketing professionals
5
Chefs
20
ย
ICT business and systems analysts
5
Cafe and restaurant managers
13
ย
Actuaries, mathematicians and statisticians
< 5
University lecturers and tutors
13
2019โ20
ย
Software and applications programmers
35
Accountants
172
ย
Bakers and pastrycooks
30
Registered nurses
86
ย
Cooks
24
Software and applications programmers
56
ย
University lecturers and tutors
14
Cooks
49
ย
Cafe and restaurant managers
13
Cafe and restaurant managers
44
ย
Chefs
13
Bakers and pastrycooks
41
ย
Accountants
11
Civil engineering professionals
27
ย
Ministers of religion
9
Chefs
25
ย
Other personal service workers
9
University lecturers and tutors
22
ย
Management and organisation analysts
8
Agricultural and forestry scientists
21
2018โ19
ย
Accountants
43
Accountants
160
ย
Chefs
34
Software and applications programmers
76
ย
Software and applications programmers
32
Registered nurses
43
ย
Cooks
29
Cooks
38
ย
Bakers and pastrycooks
21
Cafe and restaurant managers
30
ย
University lecturers and tutors
19
Civil engineering professionals
26
ย
Ministers of religion
11
Chefs
18
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
9
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
17
ย
Cafe and restaurant managers
8
University lecturers and tutors
16
ย
Structural steel and welding trades workers
8
Bakers and pastrycooks
16โ
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Note: To protect the privacy of individuals, various data confidentiality techniques have been applied. These techniques include:
data masking โ using primary and secondary suppression methods for values that are deemed to be a disclosure risk
perturbation โ a data security technique that allows for random data adjustment to prevent the release of identifiable data.
Note: Occupation level information is available for primary applicants only, and is based on Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations unit level data.โ
Geographic Distribution The following table shows the geographic distribution of migrants, based on permanent additions for the Skill and Family streams, international student visa grants, and Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa grants.
Population
NSW
Vic.
Qld
SA
WA
Tas.
NT
ACT
Census 2021 (%)
Of all persons
32
26
20
7
10
2
1
2
Of Vietnamese-born
38
36
9
7
7
1
1
2
Permanent additions – 2021โ22 (%)
Skill stream
28
32
12
13
6
5
2
3
Family and Child stream
41
37
8
5
6
0
1
1
Temporary visa grants – 2021โ22 (%)
International student visa grants
29
38
10
14
5
2
1
2
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa (primary) grants
35
38
10
4
8
0
3
1
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Home Affairs
โโNote: Permanent additions consist of two components; those persons who, while already in Australia on a temporary basis, are granted permanent residence status or those persons who have subsequently arrived from overseas during the reporting period and are entitled to stay permanently in Australia.
Country Ranking This table uses rankings to show the significance of Vietnamese migration for the past four financial years.
Ranked position of migrants
2018โ19
2019โ20
2020โ21
2021โ22
Population in Australiaย 1
6
6
6
6
Regional
n/a
9
9
8
Employer Sponsored
13
13
14
6
Total Skill stream
9
9
8
7
Total Family and Child stream
3
4
5
5
International students
6
6
6
4
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa
13
17
18
14
Visitors
16
16
8
12
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Home Affairs
1ย Population level data is by country of birth and lags one year behind the financial year specified. Data based on the estimated residential population at 30 June; 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021. โโโ
Population As of June 2021, Australia was home to 95,980 individuals of Pakistani origin, a substantial increase from the 34,150 recorded in June 2011. This Pakistani-born community now ranks as the nineteenth largest migrant group in Australia, representing 1.3 percent of the overseas-born population and 0.4 percent of the total Australian population.
Notable Characteristics of Pakistani-born Migrants in Australia:
Median age: 32.9 years, which is 5.4 years younger than the general population.
Gender distribution: Males make up 59.4 percent, while females account for 40.6 percent of this group. [Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, Australiaโs Population by Country of Birth]
Permanent Migration Australia’s Permanent Migration Program encompasses various pathways to achieve permanent residency, including economic and family migration. It also accommodates individuals on humanitarian grounds.
Skill Stream Visas The Skill stream caters to individuals possessing skills, qualifications, and entrepreneurial abilities that are in high demand within the Australian economy. This stream comprises seven distinct components:
Business Innovation and Investment
Distinguished Talent
Employer Sponsored
Global Talent (Independent)
Regional
Skilled Independent
State/Territory Nominated
Family and Child Stream Visas The Family stream enables the permanent migration of close family members, including partners and parents, of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens. Additionally, it offers opportunities for other family members such as aged dependent relatives, carers, remaining relatives, and orphan relatives to join their family in Australia.
Child visas facilitate the permanent migration of children of Australian citizens, permanent residents, and eligible New Zealand citizens, encompassing two categories: Child and Adoption visas.
Special Eligibility Visas Special Eligibility visas grant permanent residency to former residents and specific individuals who have served in the Australian Defence Force.
The following table presents the size of permanent migration from Pakistan categorized by the respective migration streams.
Migration category
2018โ19
2020โ20
2010โ21
2021โ22
Business Innovation and Investment
43
46
79
103
Employer Sponsored
489
403
326
360
Skilled Regionalย 1
93
n/a
n/a
n/a
Skilled Independent
1,353
451
231
117
State/Territory Nominated
1,387
674
573
688
Regionalย 2
n/a
1,223
762
1,358
Global Talent (Independent)ย 3
n/a
169
276
221
Partner
1,228
1,044
1,809
704
All other categories
146
126
65
183
Total places granted
4,739
4,136
4,121
3,734
Source: Department of Home Affairs
1ย The Skilled Regional category closed to new applications from 1 July 2019.
2ย The Regional migration category commenced 1 July 2019.
3ย Global Talent (Independent) category commenced 4 November 2019.
Temporary Migration in Australia Temporary migration to Australia serves various purposes, accommodating individuals who wish to stay in the country temporarily. These purposes range from tourism and business visits to specialized activities such as medical treatment, education, skilled work, and working holidays. Temporary stays can extend beyond three months, and there are six primary categories of temporary residents, with the applicability of these categories varying for migrants from different countries.
Visitor Visas Visitor visas are predominantly utilized by individuals visiting Australia for leisure, tourism, recreational purposes, or to reunite with family and friends. They can also be employed for specific short-term business activities that do not involve working within Australia.
Working Holiday Maker Program The Working Holiday Maker Program offers young adults the opportunity for an extended holiday experience in Australia, coupled with short-term work and study engagements.
Student Visa The Student visa program enables international students to pursue full-time studies in registered courses within Australia. Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) Visa This visa type permits businesses to sponsor skilled overseas workers if they are unable to find a suitably skilled Australian citizen or permanent resident to fill a particular skilled position.
Other Temporary Visas Other temporary visas encompass a wide array of categories, catering to individuals who wish to undertake short-term, specialized work, contribute to social and cultural development, strengthen international relations, or participate in training programs beneficial to Australia.
New Zealand Citizens Under the 1973 Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement, New Zealand citizens enjoy the privilege of freely entering and leaving Australia. They can also reside in Australia indefinitely upon the grant of a Special Category visa (subclass 444). The subsequent table illustrates the number of visa grants issued to migrants from Pakistan for Visitor, Student, and Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visas.
Temporary visa category
2018โ19
2019โ20
2020โ21
2021โ22
Visitor
13,433
10,679โ
965
6,239
Student
7,322
7,653
6,386
5,164
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment)
689
433
317
666โ
Other temporary visa grantsย 1
3,625
4,035
2,059
2,640
Total temporary visa grants
25,069
22,800
9,727
14,709
Source: Department of Home Affairsโ
1โ Excludes Transit visa (subclass 771), Border visa (subclass 773) and Maritime Crew visa (subclass 988).
Main occupations The following table shows the main occupations for nationals of Pakistan, based on Skill stream migration outcomes and Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa grants.
2021โ22
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
54
Accountants
382
ย
Accountantsโ
45
Electrical engineers
107
ย
Software and applications programmersโ
37
Software and applications programmersโโโ
92
ย
General practitioners and resident medical officers โ
27
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
87
ย
ICT business and systems analystsโ
16
Other engineering professionals
72
ย
Electrical engineersโ
10
Civil engineering professionals
70
ย
Chefs
10
Computer network professionals
46
ย
Other engineering professionalsโ
9
Chefsโ
41
ย
Civil engineering professionalsโ
8
ICT business and systems analystsโ
40
ย
Motor mechanicsโโ
8
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
36
2020โ21
ย
Software and applications programmers
21
Accountants
201
ย
General practitioners and resident medical officers
14
Software and applications programmers
94
ย
Accountants
8
Electrical engineers
61
ย
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
6
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
54
ย
Other medical practitioners
6
Other engineering professionals
47
ย
ICT business and systems analysts
6
Civil engineering professionals
46
ย
Chefs
6
Computer network professionals
33
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
5
ICT business and systems analysts
32
ย
Computer network professionals
5
Database and systems administrators, and ICT security specialists
27
ย
Cooks
5
Chemical and materials engineers
21
2019โ20
ย
General practitioners and resident medical officers
28
Accountants
336
ย
Accountants
10
Software and applications programmers
82
ย
Software and applications programmers
10
Other engineering professionals
51
ย
ICT business and systems analysts
7
Electrical engineers
48
ย
Cooks
7
Civil engineering professionals
40
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
6
ICT business and systems analysts
40
ย
University lecturers and tutors
5
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
38
ย
Computer network professionals
5
Computer network professionals
38
ย
Electrical engineers
< 5
Motor mechanics
34
ย
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
< 5
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
27
2018โ19
ย
General practitioners and resident medical officers
31
Accountants
226
ย
Accountants
24
Software and applications programmers
122
ย
Auditors, company secretaries and corporate treasurers
22
Electrical engineers
105
ย
Cooks
15
Telecommunications engineering professionals
99
ย
ICT business and systems analysts
13
Industrial, mechanical and production engineers
86
ย
Software and applications programmers
12
Computer network professionals
70
ย
Motor mechanics
10
Other engineering professionals
50
ย
Chefs
9
Civil engineering professionals
49
ย
Computer network professionals
8
Database and systems administrators, and ICT security specialists
48
ย
University lecturers and tutors
7
ICT business and systems analysts
44โโโ
Source: Department of Home Affairs
Note: To protect the privacy of individuals, various data confidentiality techniques have been applied. These techniques include:
โdata masking โ using primary and secondary suppression methods for values that are deemed to be a disclosure riskโ
perturbation โ a data security technique that allows for random data adjustment to prevent the release of identifiable data.
Note: Occupation level information is available for primary applicants only, and is based on Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations unit level data.
Geographic distribution The following table shows the geographic distribution of migrants, based on permanent additions for the Skill and Family streams, international student visa grants, and Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa grants.
Population
NSW
Vic.
Qld
SA
WA
Tas.
NT
ACT
Census 2021 (%)
Of all persons
32
26
20
7
10
2
1
2
Of Pakistani-born
38
35
7
6
8
2
1
3
Permanent additions – 2021โ22 (%)
Skill stream
31
20โ
5
9
10
16
4
6
Family and Child stream
36
40
7
6
7
0
1
2
Temporary visa grants – 2021โ22 (%)
International student visa grants
37
27
13
7
10
1
1
4
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa (primary) grants
43
36
6
3
9
1
1
1
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Home Affairs
โNote: Permanent additions consist of two components; those persons who, while already in Australia on a temporary basis, are granted permanent residence status or those persons who have subsequently arrived from overseas during the reporting period and are entitled to stay permanently in Australia.
Country ranking This table uses rankings to show the significance of Pakistani migration for the past four financial years.
Ranked position of migrants
2018โ19
2019โ20
2020โ21
2021โ22
Population in Australiaย 1
21
19
18
19
Regional
n/a
5
5
4
Employer Sponsored
16
16
15
15
Total Skill stream
8
8
11
9
Total Family and Child stream
9
9
9
14
International students
15
11
8
13
Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa
21
22
24
19
Visitors
38
37
23โ
28
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics and Department of Home Affairs
1ย Population level data is by country of birth and lags one year behind the financial year specified. Data based on the estimated residential population at 30 June; 2018, 2019, 2020ย and 2021.
To obtain an Australian police check for immigration purposes, it’s crucial to follow the correct process to ensure that you receive an official police clearance accepted by immigration authorities. Here are the steps to apply for an Australian Federal National Police Check:
Determine the Need: Before applying, ensure you know which visa category requires a police check. Common visas that may require a police check include Graduate Visas (485), Employer Sponsored Visas, Partner Visas, and Skilled Visas.
Avoid Generic Searches: Avoid searching “Australian police check” online and choosing the first option you see. It’s important to apply for the specific police check required by immigration.
Don’t Visit Local Police Stations: Local police stations only provide state-level police checks, which may not meet immigration requirements. You need a national police check.
Cost: The cost for an Australian Federal National Police Check is currently $42.
Identity Verification: During the application process, you will need to provide 100 points of identification (ID). Ensure you have clear scans or copies of these documents ready. Common forms of ID include:
Passport
Bank card
Bank statement
Lease agreement
Birth certificate
Complete the Application: Follow the instructions on the AFP’s website to complete the application form. Provide accurate information and attach the necessary ID documents as specified.
Payment: Pay the required fee of $42 as part of the online application process. Ensure you use a secure payment method.
Processing Time: Wait for the processing of your police check. Processing times can vary, so check the AFP website for estimated processing times.
Receive the Police Clearance: Once your police check is processed, you will receive the clearance certificate. Keep this document as it may be required for your visa application.
Remember to check the specific immigration requirements for your visa category and ensure you apply for the correct type of police check. Following the official process outlined by the Australian Federal Police will help ensure that you receive an accepted and valid police clearance for immigration purposes.
The Albanese Labor Government will close the Pandemic Event visa from February 2024, providing certainty as its necessity wanes. The visa is limited to existing holders from 2 September 2023, promoting integrity. This action, alongside other measures, supports Australia’s post-pandemic recovery and migration system improvement, addressing backlog and delays.
Joint media release with the Hon Jason Clare MP and the Hon Brendan O’Connor MP
The Albanese Government is today announcing a package of measures to support integrity in the international education system and to support genuine international students.
International education is our fourth largest export industry and maintaining the quality and integrity of this sector is critical for the Australian economy and our relationships in our region.
The Government has closed a loophole which allows education providers to shift international students who have been in Australia for less than six months from genuine study to an arrangement designed to facilitate access to work in Australia.
There has been a sharp uptake in the use of the concurrent function in 2023 โ in the first half of 2023, 17,000 concurrent enrolments were created, compared to approximately 10,500 for the same period in 2019 and 2022 combined.
Recent investigations have identified this misuse of โconcurrent enrolmentโ as an integrity issue for the international sector.
“This change takes effect immediately.“
The Government will also increase the amount of savings international students will need in order to get a student visa. This requirement has not been indexed since 2019 and needs to increase to reflect higher living expenses. From October 1 2023, international students will need to show evidence of $24,505 in savings, which is a 17% increase on current levels. This increase accounts for indexation since 2019.
This change will ensure students coming to Australia to study can afford to support themselves and will not face increased risk of exploitation due to an urgent need for employment.
The Government will apply additional scrutiny to high-risk cohorts and ask for additional documents to prevent fraud in applications.
The Government will also consider using its powers under Section 97 of the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS Act) to issue suspension certificates to high-risk education providers. A suspension certificate means providers would not be able to recruit international students.
This would be the first time an Australian Government has used this power and reflects how seriously the Albanese Government takes the issue of dodgy providers. The Government will immediately begin consulting on possible regulations to set clear grounds for the use of suspension certificates, such as application rates with fraudulent documents and provider refusal rates. The Government is particularly concerned about more than 200 providers that currently have visa refusal rates higher than 50%.
The Government is considering further measures to strengthen integrity in the international education system as part of the Migration Strategy, which is due to be released later this year.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Education Jason Clare:
โInternational student numbers are almost back to where they were before the pandemic. Thatโs a good thing. International education is an extraordinarily valuable national asset.
โBut there are also challenges in international education.ย As students have come back, so have some dodgy and unscrupulous players who are trying to take advantage of them.ย ย
โThis change will work to stop predatory โsecondโ providers from enrolling students before they have studied for the required six months at their first provider.
โThis will help ensure the integrity of one of our biggest exports while cracking down on dodgy operators.โย
Quotes attributable to Minister for Skills and Training, Brendan OโConnor:
โThese changes reflectย our determination to strengthen the integrity of the VET sector.
โNine out of 10 future jobs will require a post-secondary qualification and VET is a vital pathway to secure jobs. We are committed to lifting perceptions of VET and this is an important step to do that.
โEnsuring we have a fit for purpose VET sector is critical in responding to skills shortages, and teaching and training our existing and future workforce.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Home Affairs Clare OโNeil
โInternational education is our fourth largest export โ itโs essential that we maintain our global reputation for quality education. Our government has no tolerance for people who exploit students.”
โOur message is clear โ the party is over, the rorts and loopholes that have plagued this system will be shut down.โ
The Commonwealth Government has provided an unexpected and substantial reduction in visa nomination allocations for South Australiaโs General Skilled Migration (GSM) program in 2023โ2024.
Recently, the Commonwealth Government provided advice of its decision to significantly reduce visa nomination allocations for South Australiaโs General Skilled Migration (GSM) program in 2023โ24.
An allocation of 2,300 nomination places has been provided, which contrasts with the 8,800 places allocated to the State in 2022โ23.
We will continue to support South Australiaโs priority industries with the limited places available, including our focus on attracting overseas skilled migrants in critical sectors such as Health and Defence.
Further information about the 2023โ24 GSM program will be announced shortly, and GSM applications from the 2022โ23 financial year will be finalised in the coming weeks.
As is the case with all states and territories, the Commonwealth Government has not provided South Australia with any nomination places for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) in 2023โ24.
Business or investor migrants who already hold a provisional visa (subclass 188) can apply for nomination for the extension stream or permanent (subclass 888) visa in 2023โ24 as these are not subject to a cap.
The Department of Home Affairs remains committed to processing on-hand partner visa applications as a priority.
The Department has recently welcomed additional staff across our global network who have provided a significant uplift to our visa processing capacity.
In the past 12 months the Department processed more than 33,500 first stage and 21,600 second stage partner visas.
Kudos to Mr. Muhammad F. T. on securing a triumphant transition from a visitor visa (subclass 600) to a student visa (subclass 500). Armed with two master’s degrees, he aspires to further diversify his expertise by pursuing an IT master’s in Australia, facilitated by a Pre-Master’s program. Our adept assistance has also garnered him a remarkable 35% scholarship for his two-year full-time academic journey.
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Andrew Giles, has announced that the number of people resettled in Australiaโs Humanitarian Program will increase from 17,875 to 20,000 per year.โ
This commitment will help ensure Australia plays its part in responding to the global humanitarian crisis, at a time where more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced and more than 2 million people are in urgent need of resettlement worldwide.
The Albanese Labor Government is delivering a humanitarian program that provides refugees with certainty and security as they rebuild their lives in Australia and contribute to our economy and society.
The Albanese Government is committed to securing our borders, while maintaining our sense of humanity and responsibility.
Australiaโs Operation Sovereign Borders policy architecture remains unchanged. Anyone who attempts an unauthorised boat voyage to Australia will be turned back to their point of departure, returned to their home country or transferred to another country.
All non-citizens who are found to not engage Australiaโs protection obligations and have exhausted all avenues to remain in Australia are expected to depart as soon as possible.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles
โThe Albanese Government reaffirms its commitment to those in need with an increase in our Humanitarian Program annual intake. This responsibility extends beyond their arrival, by providing robust support to refugees to ensure they are well equipped to settle into Australia and rebuild their lives with certainty.
โWith more people displaced worldwide than ever before, the Albanese Labor Government is stepping up to play its part in the global resettlement effort in a responsible way.ย
โRefugees have provided an invaluable contribution to our country- from Awer Mabil to Anh Do, Tan Le to Frank Lowy.โย
We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website, to show you personalized content. By browsing our website, you consent to our use of cookies.
