The 2014-15 Budget released related to migration.
DIBP and Customs become Australian Border Force from 1/7/2015
From 1 July 2015, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service will become a single agency: Australian Border Force.
2014-15 Migration programme size
The 2014-15 Migration Programme remains the same at 190,000 places and maintains the composition of 128,550 Skilled Stream places, 60,885 Family Stream places and 565 Special Eligibility Stream places.
Family Migration
There will be additional partner and child places in the Family Stream.
The Budget Papers go on to say that “The additional partner and child places will be made available as a result of the cessation of new applications from the other family and parent (non-contributory) places”. This cessation will also enable faster processing of existing applications.
Likely closure of the Carer, Aged Dependent Relative, Remaining Relative and Non-Contributory Parent categories from 1 July
Skilled Migration
The Skilled Stream will continue to focus on Australia’s longer term skills needs, including addressing skills shortages in regional Australia.
Student Visas
The Government will provide $1.3 million over four years to extend the streamlined visa processing arrangements to students enrolled in Advanced Diploma level Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses at eligible TAFEs and other education providers.
This measure will support the growth of Australia’s international VET sector and increase revenue by an estimated $6.7 million over three years from 2015-16.
Outreach Officer Programme
The Outreach Officer Programme will cease from 1 July 2014.