Australia Unveils New Migration Strategy

A Quick Overview: The Australian government has recently unveiled its long-anticipated migration strategy, aiming to bring the nation's intake under control following an unprecedented influx in the past year.

Updates are as follow:

• Stricter English language requirements for international students.
• Graduate visa IELTS score raised to 6.5 (from 6.0).
• Student visa IELTS score raised to 6.0 (from 5.5).
• Streamlining visa types for a more efficient system.
• Restrictions on visa hopping to prevent "permanent temporariness."
• Potential caps on international student numbers.
• 'Specialist pathway' for those earning $135,000 or more.
• Visa processing expedited within a week on average.
• Clear path to permanent residency for high-skilled workers.

Recent Visa Changes:

•   Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold raised to $70,000.
•   Phasing out the Pandemic Event Visa; no new applicants after September.
•   Approximately 70,000 people on this visa expected to leave Australia by August next year.