Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) – Migration Program Planning and Delivery

The Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) is closely monitoring Australia’s migration and visa program in relation to public health measures, job opportunities for Australians and Australia’s ongoing ability to deal with the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst health restrictions imposed within Australia, and in most other countries, have had a substantial impact on DOHA’s visa processing services, migration continues to contribute to Australia’s economic and social wellbeing.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a disruptive impact on Australia’s migration program, however the Department of Home Affairs’ (DOHA) operations are designed to respond to major events and to be flexible under these enduring circumstances. DOHA’s visa processing services continue to be available to migrant workers and Australian employers.

Inbound Travel + Quarantine

Currently, the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner grants exemptions for travel for compassionate and compelling circumstances. Such decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and must be balanced against Australia’s travel ban and any health risks posed to Australians by incoming international travellers.

Only Australian citizens and permanent residents, immediate family members thereof and New Zealand citizens who usually reside in Australia may travel to Australia. Immediate family members of Australian citizens and permanent residents will need to provide evidence of their relationship.

Where a traveller from overseas is granted permission to enter Australia, upon arrival s/he must isolate in mandatory quarantine accommodation for 14 days. For more information, please follow this link: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/travel-restrictions-0

Prioritising Australians

Border closures around the world have affected net overseas migration to Australia with an expected 30% decrease in 2019-20 and a further drop expected in 2020-21. However, DOHA’s migration policy is to ensure that Australia’s economic recovery is supported, firstly by prioritising the livelihoods of Australians who become unemployed during the pandemic’s economic impact.

Upon careful consideration and calibration of employment opportunities for all Australians and support of critical industries, such as food and health, DOHA has targeted migration of skilled workers who will help aid Australia’s economic recovery during and after the pandemic.

Already, the Government has announced a slew of visa options and amendments to assist with Australia’s skilled migration needs: Temporary Visas, Visas to support agriculture and Student Visa work condition changes. See more at: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/staying-australia-0/i-have-temporary-visa

State and Territory Nominations

DOHA has confirmed that current migration levels will remain the same at this stage, however state and territory governments are yet to open applications for subclass 190 and subclass 491 visas.

Applicants can still lodge an expression of interest through DOHA’s SkillSelect program.

It is expected that some changes will be implemented including concessions for onshore applicants to support economic recovery and a targeted approach to the pandemic response, as well as restrictions for offshore applications due to incoming travel exemptions.

Forward Planning

Determining how to best construct Australia’s migration program for 2020-21, DOHA will consider national economic conditions, economic growth drivers, future skill requirements and changes in the labour market, as well as population objectives at a state/territory level.

Nominations will be made available to states/territories in these categories:

• Skilled – Nominated (subclass 190);
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisioal) (Family Sponsored) (subclass 491); and
• Business Innovation and Investment Program.

In the meantime, the existing 2019-20 Migration Program is being delivered. The ceiling of 160,000 places remains:

• 108,682 places for Skill stream;
• 47,732 places for Family stream;
• 236 places for Special Eligibility stream; and
• 3,350 places for Child visas.

Due to the Australian Government’s focus on responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, planning of a revised and updated Migration Program for 2020-21 has been deferred and will likely be addressed by October 2020.

How can Great Migration Strategies help?

Talk to our Migration Agents today to see how we can assist you with your travel visa requirements. Contact us at contactus@gmstrategies.com.au or by visiting the Contact Us page on our website – www.greatmigrationstrategies.com.au.