Australia’s immigration policy is constantly evolving to meet the changing needs of the country’s economy and society. The next two years are likely to see a number of changes to the policy, as the government seeks to attract the right talent and skills to support the country’s economic and social development.
Here is a look at some of the key areas of focus for Australian immigration policy in the coming years, based on insights from Abul Rizvi, a former senior official in the Department of Immigration and a leading expert on the topic.
Skilled migration: The government is expected to continue to focus on attracting skilled workers to Australia to support the economy. The points-based system for skilled migration is likely to be reviewed and refined to better align with the needs of the labor market.
Regional migration: The government is expected to continue to encourage migration to regional areas of Australia, where there is a shortage of skilled workers. This may include additional incentives and support for migrants settling in regional areas.
Temporary migration: The government is likely to continue to support the role of temporary migration in addressing skills shortages and supporting the economy. This may include changes to the working holiday and student visa programs.
Family reunion: The government may review the current family reunion policies, including the processing times and criteria for partner and parent visas, to ensure they are fair and efficient.
Integration and settlement: The government is likely to continue to focus on supporting the integration and settlement of new migrants into Australian society. This may include additional support for language and job training programs.
Humanitarian and refugee intake: The government is expected to continue to review the current humanitarian and refugee intake policies, including the criteria and processes for granting asylum, to ensure they are fair and efficient.
It’s worth noting that the content of this blog post is based on predictions and expert opinions, the actual policies and changes may differ from the predictions. As always, it’s best to follow the official government sources for the most updated information on the country’s immigration policy.