Top 10 Key Initiatives in AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL BUDGET 2024-25 to Enhance Migration Programs Nationwide

Top 10 Key Initiatives in AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL BUDGET 2024-25 to Enhance Migration Programs Nationwide

The recently announced Australian Federal Budget for 2024 has introduced several pivotal initiatives aimed at enhancing migration programs and settlement services across the country. These initiatives reflect the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth, ensuring the integrity of the migration system, and supporting vulnerable populations.

Here are the key highlights:

1. Permanent Migration Program

The 2024–25 Permanent Migration Program will be set at 185,000 places, with approximately 70% allocated to the Skill stream. This program will now have an extended planning horizon of four years, starting from 2025–26, allowing for better long-term strategic management.

2. Initiatives under Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA) for Indian Professionals

One of the key initiatives under the MMPA is the Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) program starting November 1, 2024. This initiative aims to create a new mobility pathway for 3,000 Indian graduates and early career professionals aged between 18 to 30 years, possessing expertise in targeted fields of study, to live and work in Australia for up to two years.

Furthermore, as part of the MMPA, the Australian Government has extended the validity of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream for Indian nationals from three years to five years.

3. Pre-application (ballot) process for the Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program

The Australian Government has announced plans to implement a pre-application (ballot) process for the Work and Holiday visa (Subclass 462) program specifically for China, Vietnam, and India starting from the 2024–25 period. This new system is designed to better manage the demand for the program and streamline application processing times, addressing challenges related to high application volumes from these countries

4. New Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) to Address Migration Backlogs

In a significant move to streamline administrative processes and tackle migration backlogs, the Australian government has allocated $1 billion over five years from 2023–24 towards establishing and supporting the new Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) while addressing court backlogs associated with migration-related judicial reviews.

5. Key Investments in Employment and Workplace Relations

The Australian government’s Federal Budget 2024/25 includes significant investments in the Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio. Key initiatives include $265.1 million to support apprenticeships, $13.2 million to improve employment services, $26.1 million for vocational education and training, and $111.8 million to advance workplace relations. These measures aim to enhance workforce capabilities, support economic growth, and ensure fair workplace practices.

6. Southeast Asia Engagement

Significant funding of $505.9 million over five years will deepen Australia’s engagement with Southeast Asia. This includes measures to improve visa access and provide long validity business visas for ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste.

7. Bold Reforms to Australia’s Migration System

Australia’s migration system undergoes reforms for economic prosperity and integrity. Migrant workers receive $15 million for education on workplace safeguards. A data-matching pilot aims to combat exploitation with $1.9 million allocated. Additionally, a new National Innovation visa replaces the BIIP program, and the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage visa is reduced.

8. Reforms to Migrant and Refugee Settlement Services

The Australian government has unveiled a comprehensive plan to reform and improve settlement services for refugees and migrants, aiming to foster better economic and social outcomes for these communities. With a funding commitment of $120.9 million over five years from 2023–24, this initiative represents a significant investment in supporting the successful integration of newcomers into Australian society.

9. Financial assistance to Individuals affected by the Hamas-Israel conflict

The Australian government will also reform immigration by providing assistance to people impacted by the Hamas–Israel conflict who are from Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.

In order to assist people and their families from severely damaged areas of Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories, the government will donate $2.9 million over the course of two years, from 2023 to 2024.

10. The Leaving Violence Program” (LVP) for Victims of Domestic Violence

In a significant move to combat domestic violence and support victims, the Australian government has announced the extension and expansion of key initiatives aimed at assisting individuals affected by violent intimate partner relationships.

The Leaving Violence Program (LVP), set to commence from mid-2025. Funding for these initiatives will total $925.2 million over five years from 2023–24, with ongoing support of $263.3 million per year.

These initiatives demonstrate a holistic approach to migration and settlement, emphasizing the importance of supporting migrants, enhancing system integrity, and ensuring the safety and well-being of vulnerable individuals within Australian communities. The budget underscores the government’s commitment to inclusive and sustainable migration policies aligned with national priorities.

Source

Budget documents | Budget 2024–25

May 17, 2024