The Labor Government Budget Annoucement 2022

The Labor Government elected in May 2022 delivered its first Budget this evening.

The Labour Government presented its first Budget this month, highlighting key information with regards to the Department of Home Affairs in relation to migration.

The budget reiterated the focus on skilled migration, highlighting the cap increase from 160,000 to 195,000, which had been previously announced after the Jobs and Skills Summit.

There were few immigration related announcements in this Budget, with some having been previously announced:

195,000 permanent skilled migration places
an additional $42.2 million to accelerate visa processing, resolve the visa backlog and raise awareness of opportunities for high-skilled migrants in Australia’s permanent Migration Program
extended relaxation of work restrictions for student visa holders and secondary training visas holders to 30 June 2023
priority processing of offshore skilled migration applications and on-hand NZ Stream Skilled Independent SC 189 applications.

New announcements:

an additional 500 places in the aged care training pathway for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme participants 2022–23
a new Pacific Engagement Visa with up to 3,000 permanent migration places for nationals of Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste, in addition to the existing permanent migration program
additional funding for 3 year Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visas (subclass 786) for Ukrainians and extended access to Medicare for a 12 month period for Ukrainians, including their immediate family members, who hold a Bridging Visa E
$0.6 million in additional funding in 2022–23 for the Ukrainian Community and Settlement Support
nil visa application charges for international teams, officials and official carers participating in the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022.

Skilled visas

Additional funds, $42.2 million, were allocated to enable faster visa processing in order to resolve the visa application backlog issues and promote permanent visa opportunities for highly skilled migrants. It reiterated the Government’s commitment to skilled migration by prioritising offshore skilled applications and current Subclass 189 NZ stream applications.

Student visas

The budget promised the continued relaxation of work restrictions on student visas until 30 June 2023.

Pacific Support

The Government demonstrated their sustained support for the Pacific by enabling an additional 500 places in the aged care training pathway for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme participants for 2022–23 and a new Pacific Engagement Visa with up to an additional 3,000 permanent migration places for those from Pacific Island countries and Timor-Leste.

Protection Visas

There will be further funding for Temporary Humanitarian Concern Visas (Subclass 786) for Ukrainians and continued access to Medicare for a period of 12 months including family members who hold a Bridging visa E.

$600,000 funding has been allocated for 2022-23 for the Ukrainian Community and Settlement Support.

Further information may be released in the Home Affairs Portfolio Budget statements in the coming days.

Minister Clare O’Neil’s has released a short portfolio media release this evening which is available here.

See below for reviews from our clients!

I was in a real scary position with my visa and I really thought I was destined for failure. After reaching out to this team I was relieved and felt… Read more better instantly after the phone call. They went to work immediately and got me on a the right path. Worth every penny spent and treated me like I was the most important client. Will highly recommend to all my friends who need help. I will forever be thankful of this team and shout out to Jane and Diane Markantonakis as they were the real deal and kept me here and understanding of the law.				
William Murphy
October 14, 2024 

Having Immigration Solutions Lawyers support me throughout my immigration process, from the first visa to PR to citizenship, was incredibly valuable. Their knowledge and professionalism made all the difference in… Read more what could be a stressful process. I would recommend them for their understanding of how the system works and what is required. They have always provided a reassuring level of clarification, which made my journey really straightforward.				
Ana Carolina
September 17, 2024 

Hi.. I don’t have words today that how to thank whole team of immigration solutions who helped me in getting grant of PR. Mine was a complex case but we… Read more trusted Anne and team and today after getting my PR, I can say that they are the Best in city. A whole professional team who work with ease with their clients and very very helpful throughout the process. They know their job and only they can make things happen when one has no hope. Once again, I thank Anne, Reema, Jane and team who turned my dream into reality. I recommend them to everyone who are looking for  reliable lawyers.				
G.P. SINGH
August 17, 2024 

Immigration Solutions Lawyers were instrumental in helping me get Australian Citizenship by Descent. They knew exactly what approach to take and guided me through the whole process in great detail.… Read more  They were prompt, professional and courteous at all times. I felt well looked after and knew I was in safe hands.  I’d like to give particular thanks to Diane Markantonakis and Anne O’Donoghue; thank you!!				
mark burcher
August 17, 2024 

Immigration Solutions helped with a subclass 186 Visa Application. Very happy with the outcome.				
cyril d’monty
July 17, 2024 

Our name’s are John &Dung Scott we employed Immigration Solutions Lawyers back 2019 just  prior to the covid-19  debacle. Without  the guidance of Anne O’Donoghue and her… Read more team solicitors, we believe that there would have been no  way we could  have dealt with the immense and comprehensive explanations of our  lives and reasons why we desired for Dung to become my wife and live here in Australia with  me . Saying that we are truly  grateful to you all to the staff who  answered our calls the people  in the back ground such as Michael, Reema ofcourse Anne, but we  would especially like to thank Jane for her efforts and the sensitivity shown to us. Which kept us positive through it all to achieve permanent residency 801 in 2024 so with deep  and sincere  thanks God bless. John & Dung.				
John Scott
July 17, 2024 

Read full review here
Want to share your experience? Click here to write your own review.

The specialists at Immigration Solutions Lawyers Sydney are all specialists in their specific areas of law and will put their many years of experience to work on your case. So if you want to get the best advice, from the most experienced Immigration legal counsels in Australia, then call us today.

The Labor Government Budget Annoucement 2022