Very few new announcements were made on migration related matters.
This information is based on the Budget papers published at budget.gov.au
Migration program numbers (new announcement)
The Government will maintain the 2021-22 Migration Program planning level at 160,000.
Family and Skilled stream places will be maintained at their 2020-21 planning levels, with a continued focus on onshore visa applicants, including reducing the onshore Partner visa pipeline.
Skilled visas – around 50% of the program dedicated to skilled visas and giving priority to highly skilled migrants in the employer sponsored Business Innovation and Investor Program and Global Talent visa cohorts.
Family visas – the number of places available will be set at 77,300 places for 2021-22.
Given the proportional allocation of places to the BIIP, Global Talent and Family visas, an overall decrease in other skilled migration visa places is evident.
Humanitarian Program will be maintained at 13,750 places in 2021-22.
The size of the program will remain as a ceiling rather than a target.
As previously noted Net Overseas Migration (NOM) is expected to fall from around 154,000 persons in 2019-20 to be around -72,000 persons by the end of 2020-21, before gradually increasing to around 201,000 persons in 2023-24.
Sponsored Temporary Parent visas – extension of validity period (new announcement)
The validity period for Sponsored Parent (Temporary) visas will be extended by 18 months for individuals who are unable to use their visas due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Temporary visa holders
The Government has removed the requirement for applicants for the Subclass 408 Temporary Activity visa to demonstrate their attempts to depart Australia if they intend to undertake agricultural work.
The period in which a temporary visa holder can apply for the Temporary Activity visa has also been extended from 28 days prior to visa expiry to 90 days prior to visa expiry.
Student visa holders
The Government will provide further support to employers in the tourism and hospitality sectors to help them find workers, by temporarily allowing student visa holders to work more than 40 hours per fortnight, as long as they are employed in the tourism or hospitality sectors.