2013-14 Budget Overview: Australia’s Migration Program

A preliminary reading of the DIAC Portfolio Budget Statements 2013-14 shows migration has come through relatively unscathed following a tough budget where unpopular decisions were made. The following was revealed:

• Total Migration Program numbers remain unchanged at 190,000;
• Skilled Program down by 700 places to 128,550;
• Family Program up by 700 to 60,885;
• Total departmental revenue is expected to increase from $1,333.7 million to $1,462.3 million. The movement is primarily due to an increase in revenue from Government (appropriation revenue) of $126.7 million and an increase in DIAC’s own source revenue of $1.9 million;
• Visa and Migration Program delivery expenses increase from $508 million to $518 million;
• Visa compliance and status resolution expenses increase from $87 million to $96 million;
• Refuge expenses increase from $118 million to $551 million in response to the Report of the Expert Panel on Asylum Seekers, which recommended an increase in the Humanitarian Program to 20,000 places annually;
• There will be a comprehensive review into Australia’s refugee status determination system;
• At least 12 percent of offshore refugee grants through the Woman at Risk Subclass;
• Settlement services expenses increase from $479 million to $552 million;
• Grants for multicultural affairs increase from $732,000 to $9.5 million;
• Enhancement and extension of biometric testing;
• Enhancement of the DIAC’s capability to detect and minimise identity and document fraud;
• Subclass 457 visa application charges will increase revenue by more than $46 million;
• Improvements to communications that increase consumers’ understanding of their rights and agents’ understanding of their obligations under the regulatory framework; and
• Five percent of agents to be monitored – which is not a change.

The Government’s reform agenda for the Migration Program includes:

• Labour market policy framework;
• Long term migration planning framework;
• Skills targeting (permanent and temporary);
• Review of student programs;
• Working holiday, visitor and specialist entry programs;
• Visa simplification and deregulation agenda; and
• Implementation of a fairer approach to migration for people with a disability

The Minister for Immigration and Citizenship states that this Budget will keep economy strong and ensure all Australians get a fair go. To read more about what the Migration program is delivering for Australia, click here.

If you have any further questions regarding changes to migration in the 2013-14 Budget please contact our Migration Team.