1. How was the 2021-22 Migration Program developed?
The Migration Program is set annually as part of the Federal Budget process. The 2021-22 program year will run from 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022.
When planning Australia’s Migration Program, the Government aims to balance economic, social and demographic objectives and priorities.
To inform the development of the 2021-22 Migration Program, the Department of Home Affairs
consulted widely with State and Territory Government representatives, academia, industry stakeholders and community organisations between November 2020 and February 2021. The Department of Home Affairs also published a discussion paper in January 2021 on the Migration Program and considered public submissions.
The 2021-22 Migration Program is designed to support Australia’s economic growth and continued recovery from COVID-19.
2. Why have the Migration Program planning levels not changed in 2021-22?
The 2021-22 Migration Program will retain the existing policy settings put in place for the 2020-21 program year, including a planning ceiling of 160,000 places, to build on Australia’s
success in managing the impacts of COVID-19 and maximise flexibility for increased migration in line with changing health, economic and border conditions.
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs will continue to have the ability to redistribute places between Skill stream visa categories in
response to public health, economic and labour market requirements. This will ensure migration to Australia remains responsive to shifts in economic activity and border restrictions.
3. Will other policy settings change in the 2021-22 Migration Program?
No. To support Australia’s ongoing recovery from the impacts of COVID-19, the program settings, priorities and planning levels put in place for the 2020-21 Migration Program will
remain in place in the 2021-22 program year.
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs may exercise authority to redistribute places between Skill stream visa categories if required.
4. Which visa categories will be prioritised in the 2021-22 Migration Program?
In 2021-22, the Migration Program Skill stream will continue to focus on visa categories that will help Australia’s economy rebound from COVID-19, with priority given to those that provide
Australia with investment, jobs and critical skills.
The three priority categories within the Skill stream of the 2021-22 Migration Program are the:
o Business Innovation and Investment Program;
o Global Talent Program; and
o Employer Sponsored Program.
Within the 2021-22 Migration Program Family stream, the Partner visa category has been allocated the greatest share of places, recognising their strong economic and demographic contributions to Australia.
o There will continue to be priority processing of onshore Partner visa applications which will help deliver greater employment certainty for this cohort and stabilise Net Overseas Migration (NOM) by retaining migrants in Australia.
o Partner visa applicants in regional areas (outside greater Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane) will also be prioritised to assist in meeting labour shortages and contribute to economic recovery in regional Australia.
5. Will visa applicants already in Australia continue to be prioritised in 2021-22?
Yes. Under the 2021-22 Migration Program, there will continue to be priority processing of onshore applications for Skill and Family stream visas.
o Prioritising onshore applicants will provide greater certainty to visa applicants in Australia, help Australia retain highly skilled migrants, facilitate family reunion and help stabilise NOM.
6. Will the 2021-22 Migration Program settings affect my existing visa application?
No. Visa applications that have already been lodged will continue to be processed according to visa processing timeframes.
7. What occupations are being prioritised for processing?
The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies occupations which fill critical skills needs to support Australia’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Employer Sponsored visa applications with an occupation on the PMSOL will be given priority processing.
The PMSOL is temporary and priority occupations may change as Australia recovers from the pandemic.
Non-citizens working in critical sectors can also be prioritised for visa processing in other skilled visa categories and, in the case of temporary visa holders, be considered for travel exemptions to enter Australia.
8. What are the key sectors for the Global Talent Program?
The Global Talent Program provides skills for Australia by attracting high-calibre professionals to live permanently in Australia and work in 10 key industries.
These key industries include: resources; agri-food and agtech; energy; health industries; defence, advanced manufacturing and space; circular economy; digitech; infrastructure and tourism; financial services and fintech; and education.
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