Budget 2023-24: Capitalize on Immigration Breakthroughs

Look, the 2023-24 Federal Budget dropped some serious changes to Australian immigration. If you are a skilled worker, an employer, or a student, this affects you directly. Let me break down what actually matters.

190,000 Migration Places: What That Number Means

The government set the 2023-24 migration planning level at 190,000 places. Of those, 137,100 go to skilled migration. That is not just a number on paper. That is 137,100 opportunities for people with the right skills to build a life here.

The question is whether you are positioned to be one of them.

TSMIT Jumped to $70,000

This is the change that matters most for sponsored workers. The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold went from $53,900 to $70,000 from 1 July 2023. That is a 30% increase overnight.

Any nomination lodged after that date must meet the new threshold. If your employer was planning to sponsor you at $60,000, that is no longer enough. Not even close.

Visa Fees Increased by 6% to 40%

Visa Application Charges went up across the board from 1 July 2023. Some subclasses increased by 6%. Others jumped 40%. If you were waiting to lodge, that hesitation cost you real money.

I have seen this pattern before. People delay, hoping for better timing. The timing rarely gets better. It usually gets more expensive.

More Processing Resources and More Compliance

The government allocated $75.8 million over two years to increase visa processing capacity. Good news if you are stuck in a queue.

But here is the other side: another $50 million over four years goes to enforcement and compliance activities. More processing means faster decisions. More compliance means more scrutiny of employers and visa holders.

If there are issues with your application or your sponsor, expect them to be found.

Student Work Hours Capped at 48 Per Fortnight

From 1 July 2023, international students face a 48-hour fortnightly work limit. The only exception: students working in aged care can work more hours.

This is a return to pre-pandemic restrictions. If you are a student working more than that, you are breaching your visa conditions. Do not assume nobody is checking. They are.

Extended Post-Study Work Rights

Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa holders with degrees in select fields get an extra two years of post-study work rights from 1 July 2023. This applies to key sectors where Australia needs skilled workers.

If you studied in the right field, you just got more time to find your pathway to permanent residence.

Domestic Violence and Trafficking Support Extended

The Escaping Violence Payment and Temporary Visa Holders Experiencing Violence Pilot were extended to January 2025 with $38.2 million in funding. The Support for Trafficked People Program also received additional funding.

If you are in a dangerous situation, there are pathways. Do not stay silent because you are worried about your visa.

What Should You Do Now?

These changes affect skilled workers, employers, students, and families. The increased migration places create opportunity. The higher fees and thresholds require better planning.

Here is what I tell every client: the rules changed. Make sure you are not playing by the old ones.

Questions about how the budget changes affect your situation? Book a consultation and let us work out exactly where you stand.