The 2022 Budget and Immigration

Budget and Immigration Lawyer Sydney

As we might expect, a new Federal budget means some changes to immigration. The fact that the previous immigration policies were orientated around COVID lockdown, which has now been relaxed, also leads us to expect changes.

Immigration policies over the past few years have been restricting, as nobody wanted to spread the pandemic further by moving people around. Concurrent with this were policies that encouraged immigration for medical staff who might fight the pandemic, and skilled workers who could fill positions left short-handed by the pandemic’s effect on the economy. These were valid policies at the time, but that time has changed.

2022 Budget Changes and Immigration Lawyer Sydney

Over the next 4 years there will be an extra $576 million dollars provided to the department of Home affairs. This goes towards Visa processing (including offshore processing) and supporting refugees. This increase has to be seen in light of the $875 reduction made last March under the Previous (Morrison) government. The total amount going to the Department of Home affairs is presently still lower than the amount received in recent years.

There will be an increase in the number of visas for parent/family and skilled workers. In both cases the amount will nearly double. The number of Parent Visas will increase from 4500 (last financial year) to 8500 (this financial year). Worker Visas will increase from 79,600 to 142,400 places.

Some Visa quotas, or lack or, will remain unchanged. Partner and child Visas will have no set quota, being based on demand and eligibility. Humanitarian Visa remain at 13,750 places, though there will be an addition 16,500 places for Afghan refugees.

Tax revenue from those coming in through this expanded immigration program is expected to increase by $935,000. About half of this amount will be needed to increase services for these same people, with extra school places and language programs.

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