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By Jessica Thakur
May 21, 2023
As global travel resumes, Australia faces the challenge of managing a growing number of visa applications and ensuring the smooth delivery of its Migration Program. To address this, the Government has implemented various strategies and investments.
To manage the number of visas on-hand, the Government has extended funding for 380 visa processing officers, providing an additional $48.1 million over 12 months. The recruitment of additional trained visa processing staff has significantly increased visa processing capacity. As a result, on-hand temporary and permanent applications have decreased by almost 40% compared to June 2022, and there has been a significant 70% reduction in the temporary visa program. Between July 2022 and March 2023, the Department successfully finalized nearly 6.15 million temporary and permanent visa applications.
Recognizing the importance of efficient visa service delivery and Australia's global competitiveness, the Government is investing $27.8 million over two years, starting in 2023-24, to upgrade existing visa ICT systems. This upgrade aims to enhance visa service delivery efficiency and make Australia more attractive in the global race for talent, students, and tourists.
The 2022-23 Migration Program is on track to meet the target of 195,000 new permanent visa grants, with a strong focus on the Skill stream. This focus aligns with the Government's efforts to attract skilled individuals who can contribute to Australia's economic growth and development.
Overall, through increased funding, expanded processing capacity, ICT system upgrades, and targeted visa grants, Australia is taking proactive steps to manage the growing number of visa applications and deliver its Migration Program effectively. These measures will support Australia's position as an attractive destination for talent, students, and tourists while meeting the planning level of the program.
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