03/04/2019
In the Australian Government's Budget for 2019 that was brought down last night the government has jacked up the base charge for all visa applications (except the 600 subclass) by 5.4 per cent.
Although yet to pass into Law the increase will apply from July 1st 2019.
In addition, the Government has stated that it will cut annual migration intake from 190,000 to 160,000
However, in order to encourage more migrants to live and work outside of the major cities, which are currently suffering growth stress nearly $50 million will be allocated over the next five years to be spent on new visas to “better support the needs of regional Australia”.
Beginning in November 2019, two new regional visas will be created that require skilled migrants to stay and work in regional Australia for a period of five years.
Once that service period has been completed the new visas holders will become eligible for permanent residency.