As part of its first Federal Budget, the Labor Government announced an increase in parent and skilled visas, more funding to reduce visa processing delays, and additional opportunities for skilled migrants to become permanent residents.
This is great news for parents (and grandparents), and particularly those waiting for decisions on their Contributory Parent and Contributory Aged Parent visas, with the cap for parent visas increasing from 4,500 to 8,500 this year.
A recent data request indicated that there were more than 68,000 subclass 143 applications on hand at 31 July 2022.
The Department of Home Affairs noted that on 30 September 2022, Contributory Parent visa applications with a queue date up to December 2016 were being processed.
Whilst this has been a longer wait than anticipated for many families, we hope the recent Budget announcements are a sign that processing times will continue to improve.
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For skilled visas, the following amendments have been made to planning levels, with increases in most categories with the exception of Business Innovation and Investment and Global Talent (Independent) visas.
Visa Category | 2021-22 Planning levels | 2022-23 Planning levels |
Employer Sponsored | 22,000 | 35,000 |
Skilled Independent | 6,500 | 32,100 |
Regional | 11,200 | 34,000 |
State/Territory Nominated | 11,200 | 31,000 |
Business Innovation and Investment | 13,500 | 5,000 |
Global Talent (Independent) | 15,000 | 5,000 |
Distinguished Talent | 200 | 300 |
Total | 79,600 | 142,400 |
To find out how we can support you with your visa application, book a consultation with our Registered Migration Agents.
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