8 Key Actions And A Roadmap To Deliver The Australian Government’s New Migration Strategy

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8 Key Actions And A Roadmap To Deliver The Australian Government’s New Migration Strategy

The Australian Government has released its long-awaited Migration Strategy, revealing how the Skilled Migration visa system will be re-designed to support Australia’s skills needs in coming decades. Interstaff’s Managing Director, Sheila Woods was interviewed on ABC Radio Perth last week to discuss some of the major changes in the Migration Strategy. The discussion starts at the 5.00 minute mark – have a listen on the ABC Radio website here.

Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff 21 December 2023

The Migration Strategy Policy Roadmap | What Will Change and When

The Government will deliver its Migration Strategy in 3 stages of reform as per the below Policy Roadmap. Some commitments have already been implemented, while others will either be implemented by the end of 2024 or consulted on in 2024.

The Migration Strategy is also expected to return the migration intake to near pre-pandemic levels by the next financial year.

8 actions have been identified to implement the Policy Road Map including:

1. Targeting temporary skilled migration to address skills needs and promote worker mobility

A new Skills in Demand Visa with 3 targeted pathways and visa settings that encourage migrant worker mobility.

2. Reshaping permanent skilled migration to drive long-term prosperity

Exploration of a reformed points test for permanent skilled migration.
A new Talent and Innovation Visa for migrants in sectors of national importance.

3. Strengthening the integrity and quality of international education

Integrity measures for international student and education provider standards while ensuring graduates help meet skills shortages.

4. Tackling worker exploitation and the misuse of the visa system

A suite of legislation, powers, penalties, and policies to combat worker exploitation and restore integrity to the migration system.

5. Planning migration to get the right skills in the right places

A longer-term evidence-based approach to planning migration in collaboration with states and territories, population data and forecasts.

6. Tailoring Regional Visas and the Working Holiday Maker program to support regional Australia and its workers

Priority for Regional Visas.
Exploration of regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program.

7. Deepening our people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific

A direct pathway to Citizenship for New Zealanders and increased mobility with Pacific Island and South-East Asian countries.

8. Simplifying the migration system to improve the experience for migrants and employers

Streamlined visa settings, reduced visa subclasses and a more simple migration system.

Business Migration | Strategic Thinking

It is encouraging to see the Department of Home Affairs embark on a journey to deliver a more efficient and outcomes-focused migration system that aims to fulfil Australia’s skills needs for the future.

Interstaff assist people all over the world with the legal and professional process to travel or migrate to Australia for temporary work or permanent residence. Established in 1988, Interstaff has been trusted by migrating individuals and businesses for over 30 years and are the strongest group of experts for visa work in Australia. MARN: 0533879..

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.