Month: June 2022

The 2021–22 financial year brought a great deal of change to Australian migration — a truly eventful twelve months. At the close of the financial year, we’ve rounded up our top ten migration headlines. Some mark the hard-won relief so many had waited for. Some reignited hope. Some carry real lessons. These are presented in no particular order of importance — and reflect a degree of personal perspective; they can’t speak for everyone.

This year, 11.93 million students sat the Gaokao nationwide — an increase of 1.15 million from last year. With enrolment quotas at universities across the country showing no significant growth, this means higher cut-off scores, greater competition, and a harder path to admission.

Australia this week released the results of the 2021 Census. Migration and Australia go hand in hand, reinforcing each other — Australia has further cemented its status as a true nation of migrants.

The legislative details of the 485 Replacement Stream have just been released!

Next week we welcome a brand-new financial year, and the run of good news just keeps coming! The government has pledged to prioritise the visa application backlog — and on top of that: Western Australia was first to announce its new financial year list, adding nearly 200 occupations to its graduate list: First State to Publish New Financial Year Nomination Policy and List! ICT, Auditing and 190+ Occupations Added — Offshore Applicants Now Eligible! A Positive Sign of What’s to Come for Migration.

Australia has long been one of the world’s most popular traditional migration destinations — a country built on migration, with strong cultural inclusivity where people from all walks of life can settle comfortably. So for those who have never studied or worked in Australia and are considering migration from overseas, what practical pathways are currently available?

Today, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese again braved the cold in Hobart to say: the Federal Government is aware of the skills shortage crisis and is working hard to address it. He also mentioned that over this period he will travel to all eight states and territories across Australia to listen to local communities.

As migration to major cities becomes increasingly competitive, the Australian Government is actively encouraging and supporting new migrants to settle in regional areas to address population challenges. This is set to become the mainstream pathway for future migration and study abroad in Australia. For those planning to migrate through study, studying or working in a regional area — or transferring to a regional institution — is becoming the top choice!

There are many circumstances in which you will need to provide evidence of regional area residence when applying for a visa.

The last long weekend of the first half of 2022 has passed. Beyond Christmas at the end of the year, public holidays become relatively sparse in the second half. Sydney and Melbourne airports both experienced the usual peak-travel delays over the Queen’s Birthday long weekend, with domestic travel largely back to normal — but what about international arrivals and departures?