The Migration Institute of Australia, the peak body for the migration advice profession, representing professional Registered Migration Agents across Australia and overseas, welcomes certain features of the announced 2014-15 Migration Programme which will remain the same size as the 2013-14 programme.
The commendable features of the Budget are the continued focus on skilled needs (including regional skills shortages), the extension of streamlined processing for VET sector students, extra funding for the supervision and welfare of unaccompanied humanitarian minors, access to Torture and Trauma Support and Complex Case Support for Temporary Protection Visa holders and extra funding to provide eligible asylum seekers with support while their immigration status is being resolved.
However, Angela Chan, the National President of the MIA, said that there were several concerning features of the Budget.
“While the Institute is pleased that the Family Stream will focus on meeting the increasing demand for close family reunions by having additional partner and child places, it is alarming that these additional places will be made available as a result of the cessation of new applications from the other family and parent (non-contributory) places, and we will seek further information from the Minister about this,” said Ms Chan.
“The removal of the Immigration Advice and Application Assistance Scheme (IAAAS) support for onshore applicants who seek a merits review of their negative primary protection decision is regrettable, although the Institute notes that IAAAS will remain in place for non-IMA onshore applicants during their primary processing.
“The expansion of Offshore Biometrics Programme will be achieved by the introduction of further fees after very recent huge increase in fees.