Australia Government Considering An Extension In Regional Visa Requirements

15 Sep 2018

The Australian government is likely to introduce a fresh and impacting visa proposal. It will see extension of the minimum settlement time period for migrants, on regional visas, to remain in their employment area, from the present two years, to five years.

This will affect many visa streams, like the 489 Skilled Provisional, Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme, and Skilled Regional -Permanent 887 Visa Program.

This idea caught the attention of the government, when data from the Department of Home Affairs, showed that 10% migrants reaching Australia in the Regional Visa Program, later moved to Sydney or Melbourne in a period of 18 months.

In the recent reshuffle, former Citizenship Minister, Alan Tudge previously in charge of the Regional Visa Scheme, became the new Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population. The proposal will be revived, to achieve the goal of reduction in congestion in the urban areas.

New Developments for Australia Regional Visa

David Coleman, The new Minister for Immigration, said that he cannot comment on this proposal, as he was new in this role.

There are issues, regarding the ways for implementing this policy. It is also likely to have legal disputes, on restricting the freedom of movement.

Labor’s Shadow Minister for Defense Richard Marles, is seeking the government view, regarding the practice of the proposed visa changes. Moreover, there is no way to mandate the new immigrants to live in regional Australia. Additionally there is no power to bring it to effect.

New format is the need of the day

The current settings of the program, clearly fail to work, as per the original intention. Furthermore, there is a need to deliver a visa solution for regional Australia. There must be an assurance, that Visa Applicants have a real intention to settle in the area. Many migrants, obtain the visa, leave the area immediately, and reach the metropolitan areas. The government can make use of several methods, for attracting and retaining the people in needy areas. Finally, the current program apparently is not effective to meet its goals.

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