2019-20 Migration Plan

[TeeTMI]

The current government has announced their 2019-20 Migration Plan (NB: there is a Federal election this year, this is the current governments Migration Plan)

The yearly ceiling on Permanent Residence Visas will reduce from 190,000 to 160,000 (-20,000 skilled visas -10,000 family visas). 
Plus, to encourage migrants to choose locations other than the main cities (e.g. Sydney and Melbourne), increased ability to select applicants has been provided to the States and Territories within the Skilled Independent Visa options, including an increase in the number of 489 visas available.

There has been a significant reduction in the number of 189 skilled visas and partner visas.

Plus, it is not good news for Parent or Partner visas that are already seeing very long processing times.

We have provided an analysis of the change in visa ceilings on our website and I will copy the table in below:
https://www.taylormadeimmigration.com/2019-20%20Migration%20Plan

 

Edited March 22, 2019 by TeeTMI

[TeeTMI]

 

On 3/22/2019 at 11:17 AM, TeeTMI said:

.... including an increase in the number of 489 visas available....
 

 

Just correcting this comment as it appears that the government is intending to introduce 2 new visas as opposing to increasing the number of 489/187 visa issues. 

Government comment:
'The introduction of the two new regional visas in November 2019 will not impact people who already hold existing visas. Applications lodged prior to November 2019 will continue to be processed as normal. There will be no impact on the permanent residence of current permanent visa holders.'

and

'There will be two new skilled regional provisional visas introduced in November 2019:

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to live and work in regional Australia. Visas will be granted with a validity period of up to five years.

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence visa. The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa will commence in November 2022.

Importantly, to be eligible for permanent residence, holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to demonstrate they have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding one of the new Skilled Regional Provisional visa.'

 

 

[TakeItOnTheChin]

2 hours ago, TeeTMI said:

 

 

Just correcting this comment as it appears that the government is intending to introduce 2 new visas as opposing to increasing the number of 489/187 visa issues. 

Government comment:
'The introduction of the two new regional visas in November 2019 will not impact people who already hold existing visas. Applications lodged prior to November 2019 will continue to be processed as normal. There will be no impact on the permanent residence of current permanent visa holders.'

and

'There will be two new skilled regional provisional visas introduced in November 2019:

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa: for people sponsored by an employer in regional Australia.
• Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa: for people who are nominated by a State or Territory government or sponsored by an eligible family member to live and work in regional Australia.

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to live and work in regional Australia. Visas will be granted with a validity period of up to five years.

Holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will be able to apply for a Permanent Residence visa. The Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) Visa will commence in November 2022.

Importantly, to be eligible for permanent residence, holders of the new skilled regional provisional visas will need to demonstrate they have lived and worked in regional Australia while holding one of the new Skilled Regional Provisional visa.'

 

 

That makes sense, otherwise amending legislation of current 489 visa provisions would get messy, especially because the new visas would have different conditions to achieve PR, etc. I assume therefore that the new regional visas will be a different subclass # and that the current 489 program would then end in November 2019?

[TeeTMI]

On 3/25/2019 at 1:23 PM, TakeItOnTheChin said:

That makes sense, otherwise amending legislation of current 489 visa provisions would get messy, especially because the new visas would have different conditions to achieve PR, etc. I assume therefore that the new regional visas will be a different subclass # and that the current 489 program would then end in November 2019?

 

Maybe 🙂 I would not want to try and second guess at this stage.