Source: Charis Chang of SBS News - https://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/federal-budget-2022-this-is-what-labor-has-said-about-immigration-and-visas/2355lngzu
An additional $576 million (over 4 years) will be given to the Department of Home Affairs in the 2022 federal budget and more skilled visas will be made available.
An extra $576 million over four years will be provided to the Department of Home Affairs towards visa processing, to cover a shortfall in funding for the maintenance of offshore processing centres and to support refugees.
But this is still around $300 million less than the $875 million that was taken out in March.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the government was providing a "substantial" increase in funding to the department.
"This is a substantial improvement in funding for Home Affairs, we are getting the processing of visas going again," Mr Albanese told SBS News.
SBS News
Number of Skilled Visas available for 2022/2023
When it comes to family visas, more parent visas will be available, with the government increasing the allocation from 4,500 in 2021-22, to 8,500 this year. Partner and child visas will remain demand-driven with no limit placed on these. There will also be around 500 other family visas, and 100 special eligibility visas available.
The humanitarian visa program will stay the same with 13,750 places available in 2022-23, and an extra 16,500 for Afghan refugees over four years.
Priority for skilled visas will be given to people living overseas, and to New Zealanders who have lived in Australia for many years.
SNS News
If you need help in ensuring your occupation is eligible, or in obtaining a skills assessment, don't hesitate to send us a message here.