If you already lodged a Subclass 188 or Subclass 132 visa, the applications would continue to be processed in line with the planning levels.
2023 Migration Strategy confirmed that the government is lack of interest in current BIIP and it has reduced the BIIP allocation to 1,500 for financial year 2023-2024, a further 500 places will be reduced and bring down the total allocation to 1000 for 2024-2025.
Until 30 June 2022, the number of subclass 188 application on hand was 20,459.
If, in the last 2 years, the Department was managed to clear the backlog and reduced the on hand applications to $15,000, it will take 10 to 15 years to finalise all the applications -- based on the allocations we get for this year and next year (1,500 and 1,000).
The Department will also “tighten” its policy to determine how the legislative is interpreted and applied, leading to a higher number of applications refused.
Therefore, the government has also announced an option for applicants to cease processing of a BIIP application with a refund of the visa application charges. This will be available from September 2024.
In the future, successful and talented business owner and investor may also have a chance to get a visa from Australia through the National Innovation Visa Program. We will have more updates coming by the end of 2024.
Subclass 188 visa holders will still be able to apply for the permanent visa subclass 888 visa after July 2024, subject to meeting all eligibility criteria. If eligible, they may apply under the provisional extension stream if they need additional time to meet the permanent BIIP visa requirements.
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The Australian article by Stephen Rice contains inaccuracies. This is article aims to set out the facts and correct the misinformation contained in The Australian article.
Has the Labor Government axed the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) visa?
No, the Australian Government has not axed the BIIP visas.
Migration Review and Migration Strategy
A review of the Australian migration system was conducted in 2022-2023, and the Migration Report (the ‘Report’) was released on 21 March 2023.
One of the possible reform directions arrived at by the reviewers is “Better target permanent skilled visas to maximise economic outcomes and remain internationally competitive”. One of the measures identified to support the possible reform directions is to:
Revisit the allocation of places across the permanent skilled program. In particular, reconsider the size and role of the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP), noting more positive outcomes from the Significant Investor Visa. Consider how to manage the allocation of places to state and territory nominated and regional visas, including possible consolidation of these programs. [1]
During her address to the National Press Club on 27 April 2023, the Minister for Home Affairs, The Hon Clare O’Neil MP, was asked whether the business investment visa subclass 188 A, B, C be removed in the future. The Hon Minister replied that, “We haven’t said that we will abolish those programs. What we have said is that they need a radical restructure as part of the work that we’re doing and I think this needs to be folded into the broader conversation about highly skilled people who we see as creating the future jobs for Australians and now how we manage them in. It’s not just about what’s called BIV and SIV. This is just the world of acronyms that I live in! It is not just about BIV and SIV. It is about the whole question of that, really quite – drivers of economic growth and how we should think about bringing those people into our country.”[2]
Australia’s Migration Strategy was released to the public in December 2023. This Migration Strategy is based on the findings of the Migration Review. The Strategy notes that:
The Migration Review flagged the opportunity to draw on the relative strength of the Significant Investor stream to design a visa product more sharply targeted to select migrants who can drive innovative investments in sectors of national importance or play a valuable role in the venture capital industry.
The Migration Strategy further mentions as an area for future reform:
A new Talent and Innovation visa could create a single, streamlined pathway to attract relatively small numbers of highly talented migrants to Australia, such as high performing entrepreneurs, major investors and global researchers.
As a result of the review, or the current financial year (2023-2024), the Australian government has reduced the allocations for the BIIP program (see Figure 1) and has not allocated these places to any Australian state or territory in order to process the applications on hand.
There has been no ‘axing’ just a pause while the review of the program is being conducted. All indicators point to the fact that the Government will be continue offering visa to highly talented migrants to Australia, such as high performing entrepreneurs, major investors.
Does the business visa program make up a quarter of Australia’s migration allocations?
The first sentence of the article states that “[a] business visa program which makes up a quarter of all the nation’s migration allocations has been quietly axed by Labor ….” The truth is that in 2022-2023, the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) was allocated 5,000 places out of 195,000, or 2.56% and for this financial year, 1,900 places out of 190,000 places or 1%. Hardly “a quarter”.
Recently, the most significant event is the election result held on 21 May 2022. This article will share the latest updates on Australian Immigration during May and June 2022. Moreover, we will demonstrate what we see in the new labour government to the Migration Policy of Australia in the next few years.
Australian Immigration Monthly News April 2022 Overview
Two big events have influenced the news this month. The Australian federal budget was handed down on Tuesday, 29 March
This is provided a lot of details about what to expect in the migration program year. The second big event is that on 10 April Prime Minister Scott Morrison called the day for the federal election.
The federal election will be held on 21 May 2022.
Just prior to the election being called there is often a frenzy of activity and announcements.
This is because once the election is cold then the government often goes into what’s called caretaker mode. Parliament no longer sits and there is no further opportunity to pass new legislation.
Another factor relevant to this month’s news is that Australia has very low unemployment rate at 4%. However, there are severe skills shortages in many industries.
There are a lot of essential updates during March and April 2022.
Changes have been made to bring benefits to skilled workers in Australia.
However, there is still a focus on other streams like Business and Investment Visa or Global Talent Visa.
Today’s video will cover:
A new pathway to PR for short term TSS visa 482 - Full Information here !
Tasmania has announced having a limited allocations remaining.They have requested more investigation for other places.
However, there has been no positive news until now.
More than 1,480 applications are yet to be decided.
Only 1300 places remaining, Migration Tasmania will prioritize applicants who are employed directly related to their skills assessment.
Some applications may be held over to the new program year.
But you will be considered based on the arrangements at the lodgment time.
Tasmanian Skilled Migration has published a consultation paper that invites public comment.
It is reviewing the migration requirements and setting for the next program year.
Overall, there are more positive pathways :
Long term residence pathways for 491 and 190 skilled visa nominations.
Graduate pathways updates of the requirement for Tasmania Graduate
Non-student visa holders who complete courses on the priority list can be considered Tas graduates.
Applicants must have 3 months of work experience in the nominated occupation post-graduation.
Business owner requirement has changed to 12 months of operation.
Tasmania will remove its skilled occupation list for overseas applicants.
Offshore applicants can now receive invitations after lodgment of EOI.
This new proposal is for review now.
Public comments are welcome to enhance Tasmania’s migration settings.
Western Australia Skilled Visa 491 and 190 Updates
WA has announced additional nomination allocations for its state nomination program.
New applications are now being accepted.
All on-hand applications will be proceeded with and be contacted as required.
The following invitation round will be held in the first week of May and June.
Other states such as NSW Skilled Visa 491 or Victoria State nomination has not yet been changed recently. However, it seems to be very competitive in these states with a large number of applications on hand.
Clients can consider moving regional to seek 491 or 190 nominations earlier.
DAMA opens more in QLD, WA, and NSW
There is a DAMA Revolution going on for Regional Australia.
This gives skilled workers more pathways to permanent residency in Australia.
There are new DAMAs for the following Regions:
Far North Queensland
Orana, NSW
East Kimberly and Pilbara, WA
Some changes have been adjusted for NT DAMA.
Northern Territory DAMA
NT DAMA has made some changes to support the Territory businesses with workforce shortages.
Key changes include:
More streamlined framework for employers to access workers over 5 year period
More flexible permanent resident pathway
24 new occupations including lower-skilled occupations in agriculture
Higher age limit
Lower English requirement for tradies
Far North Queensland
The Australian government ensures that Far North QLD remains fit for the evolution of the regional labor market
Queensland is always famous for its tourist destinations.
These new changes in DAMA can support the economic impact on the tourism and hospitality sectors.
A range of occupations will become available for businesses to source workers.
Pilbara
DAMA of Pilbara will commence on 9 May 2022.
This will allow 66 occupations in Engineering, trades, Childcare, aged care, and health services to get access.
Employment opportunities are abundant on offer there in Pilbara.
East Kimberly DAMA
Businesses in East Kimberly can now access workers of more than 100 occupations.
The mining industry has covered a large economic output in East Kimberly.
However, the health care and social assistance industry is driving to be the largest employment sector.
Significant investment has taken part in the expansion of this area.
That will support growth in both the agricultural and tourism sectors
Orana, NSW
65 occupations have been open in the Orana region for businesses to source workers
This provides access to critical workers for jobs unable to be filled locally.
A skilled migrant workforce plays an important role in helping Orana fill the vacancies.
Skill level 4,5 occupations like aged care workers, security officers, or waiters are critical to the region.
DAMA and its streamlined migration pathway can attract skilled workers to fill the labor shortages.
Complete detail about DAMA in Australia will be published soon on our website.
Working holiday makers
Australia will open its doors to more working holiday makers.
New measures have been introduced to support current Australia’s tourism and trade sector.
There are now 47 countries globally with access to Australia’s work and holiday program.
A 30% cap increase to the working holiday programs.
Commencing on July 2022:
Australia will open to 500 young people from Brazil
Another 100 places for Mongolia
Cap increase up to 1000 places for the Slovak Republic
Hungary and Austria will also have a cap increased to 500 places
Italian and Danish who are aged 35 and under can now get access to the program.
Australia and India’s trade Agreement
Good news for Indians who are interested in working in Australia
In the new Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, 1000 work and holiday places for Indians have been allocated.
Those Indian students awarded first-class honors will have additional 2 or 3 years’ stay.
They must complete a STEM or ICT bachelor’s degree.
Agriculture Visa
Vietnam and Australia have signed the bilateral agreement for the Agriculture Visa program.
This will allow workers from Vietnam to work on Australian farms.
This agreement helps address the shortage in the agriculture industry for the medium and long term.
However, the application process has not yet published in detail.
Please stay tuned and subscribe to our channel for more updates.
Some changes in Pandemic Event Covid-19 Visa 408
Applicants must hold a valid visa with work rights 90 days or less from ceasing to apply for pandemic event Visa 408
Such a visa that was more than 28 days from the application will not be accepted.
Work Visa Lawyers will assess whether your occupation and your current profile fits into this covid visa 408. We will then draft and collate all the necessary paperwork, submit it, and follow up on your behalf.
We are one of the best Immigration Agents and Lawyers in Australia. we are based in South Australia, and you are always welcome to book an appointment with us via phone call, Zoom/Skype or Face to face consultation.
Book an appointment with one of our experienced Immigration Lawyers and Registered Migration Agents here.
Contact us on (08) 8351 9956 or +61 8 8351 9956 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
