Australia owes much of its economic and social success to migration. As well as providing access to skilled workers who bring innovation, establish international connections, and boost the economy as consumers, migration has contributed to the diversity and social cohesion that has become a key part of Australia’s national identity.
Australia’s permanent Migration Program aims to maximise the economic and social benefits to Australia. Each year, Migration Program planning levels are set with Australia’s immediate and longer-term needs in mind. This can be seen in the planning levels for the 2020-21 Migration Program which was targeted to support Australia’s immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, while paving the way for future economic growth as we proceed into the post-pandemic recovery phase.
Traditionally, permanent migration has benefitted the economy by focussing on attracting skilled migrants who contribute to higher workforce participation rates and are less likely to draw on government services. The link between temporary and permanent migration is an important one as temporary visa holders establish social and employment links in Australia that may lead them to apply for a permanent visa.
A carefully balanced Migration Program will help Australia to recover from the impacts of the global COVID-19 pandemic and contribute to Australia’s long term economic and social outcomes.
Considerations for planning the 2021-22 Migration Program
The 2020-21 Migration Program was announced on 6 October 2020 alongside the Federal Budget with the following considerations for planning.
The Department of Home Affairs’ called for public submissions to inform planning for the 2021-22 Migration Program.
AACB's Submission
AACB submitted a paper in February 2021 in repsonse to the Department of Home Affairs’ invitation for public submissions to inform planning for the 2021-22 Migration Program.
Supporting Documents