2022-23 Budget: More skilled migrants, less business skills, partner visas uncapped

2022-23 Budget: More skilled migrants, less business skills, partner visas uncapped

The Federal Budget handed down last night reinstated the pre-eminence of skilled migration, boosting permanent migration numbers to pre-pandemic levels. Despite the number of places remaining at 160,000, partner visas will no longer be subject to a ceiling.

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6-month 408 COVID visas to all visa holders with work rights; Moreton Bay and Ipswich added as regional areas

6-month 408 COVID visas to all visa holders with work rights; Moreton Bay and Ipswich added as regional areas

Announcements this week will see in the near future the 408 “COVID” visa throw its doors open to all those who hold a visa with work rights and even for some who do not. The postcodes of Moreton Bay and Ipswich will be deemed regional from 5 March 2022, which will affect many skilled visas.

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COVID: 485 visas extended to 30 September 2022; 489 visas for 7 years; 494/491 visas for 8 years

COVID: 485 visas extended to 30 September 2022; 489 visas for 7 years; 494/491 visas for 8 years

The regulation amendments for the promised extensions or reinstatements for international graduate 485 visa and regional 489, 494, or 491 visa holders or (former holders) come into effect from today.

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ALL Student and WHM visas with unrestricted work rights, regional visas extended for 3 years; graduate visa extensions and replacement visas open from 1 July 2022

ALL Student and WHM visas with unrestricted work rights, regional visas extended for 3 years; graduate visa extensions and replacement visas open from 1 July 2022

A raft of announcements benefitting student visa holders and WHMs will give them unrestricted work rights, effective immediately, regional visa holders automatic extensions for 3 years and extensions and access to a further graduate visa for those affected by travel restrictions.

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