The Australian government delivered the Federal Budget for 2024/2025 highlighting the Government’s plans for revenue and expenditure in 2024-2025.
The budget has included several immigration reforms which have been summarised below:
Migration System Reforms, Funding and resources for the Department of Home Affairs
Over the next four years, the Government has committed to allocate $18.3 million to advance reforms in Australia’s migration system, aiming to boost economic growth and re-establish its credibility. The allocated budget includes:
$15.0 million allocated over the next three years for initiatives aimed at educating migrant workers and providing them with reliable and relevant information regarding their rights, workplace protections, and compliance with migration regulations.
$1.9 million allocated for the fiscal year 2024–25 to support a pilot program that facilitates data sharing between the Department of Home Affairs and the Australian Taxation Office. This program will cross-reference income and employment data to prevent the exploitation of migrant workers and safeguard against violations within Australia’s labor market and migration framework.
The projected average staffing figures for 2023–24 reflect a considerable investment in personnel to enhance service delivery efficiency and expertise. This includes the conversion of additional contractors since the 2023–24 Budget. The funding will enable Services Australia to address the consequences of previous underfunding and minimise existing backlogs. It is anticipated that this will also equip the Department of Home Affairs with the necessary resources to bolster visa processing efficiency and reduce processing delays.
Furthermore, the Government has allocated $100 million to the Department of Home Affairs. This funding is aimed at bolstering the department’s essential duties, which encompass Australian Border Force operations, immigration enforcement and compliance efforts, and the maintenance of vital systems that underpin these operations and services.
Permanent Migration Program
For the 2024–25 period, the Government has designated a total of 185,000 places for the permanent Migration Program, with 132,200 of these places (which is roughly 70%) being assigned to the Skilled stream. Starting from the 2025–26 period, the Government plans to expand the timeframe for the permanent Migration Program’s planning from a single year to a span of four years. This is part of the ongoing efforts within the Migration Strategy to enhance the management and operation of the Australian migration system.
It is projected that the Government’s measures will lead to a reduction in net overseas migration by 110,000 individuals throughout the forward estimates starting from 1 July 2024. The net overseas migration numbers are expected to decrease significantly, from 528,000 in the 2022–23 period to about 260,000 by the 2024–25 period.
Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) – Reduction in work experience requirement
Starting from 23 November 2024, the Government will lower the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa, reducing it from the current two-year requirement to just one year for all applicants.
National Innovation Visa (NIV) will replace the current Global Talent (subclass 858) Visa
The Government plans to introduce a new National Innovation visa by the end of 2024. This visa will take the place of the existing Global Talent visa (subclass 858) and is designed to attract highly skilled migrants who can contribute to the growth of key sectors.
Additionally, the Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will be discontinued, and applicants who choose to withdraw their BIIP application will be eligible for a refund of their visa application charge starting September 2024.
It is important to note that although the Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will be discontinued, the government is planning on redesigning the program to focus on applicants who can make specific and substantial contributions to Australia.
Work and Holiday Visa – China, Vietnam and India Nationals
Beginning in the 2024–25 period, the Government plans to implement a pre-application (ballot) system for the limited Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program, specifically for applicants from China, Vietnam, and India. This ballot method is intended to regulate the demand for the program and streamline the processing time for applications from these nations. A fee of $25, which will be adjusted according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in subsequent years, will be charged for the ballot.
Introduction of the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to replace the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT)
The Australian Government has allocated a total of $1.0 billion over the span of the next five years, which includes an ongoing annual fund of $210.8 million from 2028–29 and an additional $194.2 million spread from 2028–29 to 2035–36. This funding is dedicated to the establishment and maintenance of the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART), which will replace the current Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT). The ART’s introduction aims to alleviate the backlog in the courts due to a high volume of migration judicial review applications.
The breakdown of the funding for the ART’s initiation is as follows:
An amount of $854.3 million is allocated over the next four years, with a continuous annual budget of $208.8 million. This is for a capped and adaptable funding model based on demand, which will enable the ART to resolve all case submissions annually. It also includes enhancements in regional access and the trial of initiatives such as the First Nations Liaison Officer and programs focused on user experience and accessibility.
A sum of $75.1 million is allocated over five years starting from 2023–24, with $2.0 million annually thereafter, to assist agencies in transitioning from the AAT to the ART.
Additionally, $2.4 million is allocated in 2024–25 to the AAT for the Immigration Assessment Authority (IAA) to persist in the merits review of protection visa applications that are eligible for expedited review under the Migration Act 1958 until the ART is operational.
Moreover, the Government will contribute $115.6 million over the next four years, with a further $194.2 million from 2028–29 to 2035–36, to tackle the significant migration case backlogs in federal courts. This includes the creation of two migration hubs specifically for migration and protection visa cases.