The long-awaited Migration Strategy was unveiled today. The MIA will conduct a thorough examination of the 100-page document and subsequently provide members with a detailed report. A members' session is scheduled for next Monday, December 18, 2023, to deliberate on the report and potential changes.

In the interim, the MIA offers members an overview of the new strategy, aimed at refining our skilled migration system. The strategy's core objective is to align migration with the skills necessary for boosting productivity and to leverage permanent migration for cultivating an innovative and efficient workforce for Australia's future. This strategy is built upon eight key actions:

1. Focusing temporary skilled migration to address skill shortages and encourage labor mobility.
2. Revamping permanent skilled migration to foster long-term prosperity.
3. Enhancing the integrity and quality of international education.
4. Addressing worker exploitation and misuse of the visa system.
5. Strategically planning migration to align skills with demand.
6. Customizing regional visas and the Working Holiday Maker program to support regional Australia and its workforce.
7. Strengthening people-to-people connections in the Indo-Pacific.
8. Streamlining the migration system to enhance the experience for migrants and employers.

Certain aspects of the strategy are yet to be finalized following further consultations, as recommended by the Parkinson review. The key announcements encompass the following:

Migration Program Planning: The government will extend migration planning beyond the current 12-month cycle to address critical skill shortages and enhance collaboration with states and territories. Net overseas migration numbers are expected to decrease from 510,000 in the 2022-23 financial year to 375,000 in the next year and 250,000 in 2024-25, stabilizing thereafter.

International Students: International student numbers grew to 270,000 in 2022-23, rebounding from 170,000 in 2018-19 pre-COVID. This includes students returning to Australia after online and offshore studies during the pandemic.

Temporary Visa Holders: Temporary visa holders, including Temporary Skilled, Working Holiday Maker, and COVID pandemic event visas, accounted for 180,000 places in 2022-23, up from 100,000 in 2018-19.

Skilled Temporary Visas: A new three-tiered visa system will replace the TSS SC 482. It includes 'essential skills' visas for those earning under $70,000, 'core skills' visas for the $70-135,000 cohort, and 'specialist skills' visas for those earning over $135,000 per year. The specialist skills visa pathway will have no occupational list and a quick 7-day processing time, excluding certain occupations with 3,000 places allocated annually. Core skills visas will dominate the program, while essential skills visas are yet to be finalized.

Skilling Australians Fund: Consideration will be given to collecting SAF in smaller increments over time to accommodate visa holders' flexibility in changing employers, exploring a monthly or quarterly payment model.

Labour Market Testing: LMT will be streamlined, eliminating the need to advertise on the Workforce Australia site and extending the advertising period from 4 to 6 months. LMT will be gradually phased out as Jobs and Skills Australia data improves.

Points Tests: The points test will undergo a review, with further consultations on a new analysis-based points test to identify migrants making significant contributions. Graduates working in skilled jobs will have a faster pathway to permanent residency.

Temporary Graduate Visas: These visas will see significant changes, focusing on international graduates with skills required by Australian employers. Changes include reducing the length of stay, preventing switching back to student visas, and setting age eligibility at 35 years.

Student Visas: The student visa program will undergo significant changes, emphasizing higher English language levels, restricting eligible course types, preventing course swapping, and increasing funding for visa integrity.

Education Agents: The regulation of education agents will be expanded through the Office of the Migration Agents Registration Authority.

Regional Migration: The government aims to improve regional migration strategies, working closely with states and territories for better targeting of regional needs, and fast-tracking regional visa applications.

Working Holiday Makers: No immediate changes to the WHM program, but considerations regarding the length of stay and the 88-day rules are ongoing.

Global Talent and Business Skills: The Global Talent program will be refocused on a select group of migrants with significant potential contributions. A 'talent and innovation' visa is under consideration. The Business Innovation and Investment Program may see further adjustments.

Foreign Investment Fees: Foreign investors buying established homes will face increased fees, and higher penalties for leaving properties vacant.

Registered Migration Agents: The government will explore the feasibility of limiting unregistered overseas providers' involvement in the migration system and enhance the regulation of registered migration agents to combat unscrupulous immigration assistance. This includes increasing financial penalties for wrongdoers