Australia: Significant Immigration Policy Changes Expected Following Election; New Ministers Appointed
June 7, 2022
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At a Glance
- The Australian Prime Minister has appointed a new Minister for Home Affairs and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, following the Labor Government’s election victory on May 23, 2022.
- Fragomen expects changes in several key areas in immigration policy in line with the Labor Government’s pre-election stance, including:
- Streamlining of the permanent and temporary migration programs, providing pathways to permanent residency and citizenship for visa holders working under successful arrangements and those that have priority skills which are in shortage in Australia;
- Reforming the regional migration program to encourage skilled migrants to take up jobs in rural and regional locations only where skill gaps exist; and
- Combat exploitation of temporary overseas workers by requiring that they be paid in accordance with Australian standards and have adequate protection under Australian workplace law.
The situation
Following the 2022 federal election, the Australian Labor Party has secured Parliament majority and the 31st Prime Minister of Australia was elected on May 23, 2022. In the coming months, Fragomen expects confirmation of the Labor Party’s policy stance on migration and related issues, which will likely lead to policy reforms.
A closer look
Fragomen expects changes in several key areas in immigration policy in line with the Labor Government’s pre-election stance, including:
| EXPECTED CHANGE | DETAILS | IMPACT |
| Streamlining of pathways to permanent residency | The new government is expected to introduce rules that will streamline the permanent and temporary migration programs, providing pathways to permanent residency and citizenship for visa holders working under successful arrangements and those that have priority skills that are in shortage in Australia. |
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| Revamping of the regional migration program |
The new government is expected to introduce new rules that will change the regional migration program to encourage skilled migrants to take up jobs in rural and regional locations only where skill gaps exist.
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| Increased benefits and protection for temporary overseas workers |
The new government is expected to introduce rules that will prevent the exploitation of temporary overseas workers by requiring that they be paid in accordance with Australian standards and have adequate protection under Australian workplace law.
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Background
In the run up to the last election in 2019, the Labor Party declared that it aimed to overhaul key areas in Australia’s work visa program, but the Coalition Party won the election victory then which focused more on continuing existing policies.
Looking ahead
The new Australian government is expected to announce new rules that will impact immigration laws in the coming months. Fragomen is seeking to engage with the new government to ensure that client interests are represented as to these policies.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
