Among the five countries with permanent migration programs – UK, US, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, Australia has the most visa subclasses, particularly in the work-to-residence sector.
However, despite the number of options for skilled workers, Australia’s strict border controls at the height of the pandemic effectively strangled the flow of skilled offshore immigrants to the country. Though the Home Affairs Office was not processing offshore applications, the waiting period for in-country applications increased for many reasons, including the lack of manpower to manage the current pool of candidates.
The timing couldn’t be worse because of critical workforce shortages in some industries.
Australia experiences a staff shortage in several industries
As of August 12, Australia’s visa backlog was almost a million for permanent and temporary visa applications.
So, to address widespread staff shortfalls, the Home Affairs Minister announced this month that the department was raising the country’s migration cap to 195,000. The increased number would ensure more places for engineers and nurses.
Applicants already in Australia, such as international students and employer-sponsored skilled workers under the various temporary visa subclasses, hold a distinct advantage over those still living overseas.
For one, Australia’s government is committed to allowing international student graduates to remain and work in Australia longer than current regulations dictate.
Second, authorities will not require state-sponsored workers younger than 45 to be tied to a specific employer. However, they must find positions for themselves.
Australia’s Visa Backlog Affects Processing Times
Before the pandemic, the average processing time was 1-2 weeks. The wait stretched to two months or more during the lockdowns, and travel restrictions in and out of states resulted in acute staff shortages to work on the pending applications.
Those applying today could look forward to having their applications processed according to the timeline below:
| Visa Subclass | Waiting period in Months |
| Employer Nomination Scheme SC 186 13 | 13 |
| Regional Sponsored SC 187 | 57 |
| Skilled Independent SC 189 | 23 |
| Skilled Nominated SC 190 | 13 |
| Skilled Regional Provisional SC 489 | 36 |
| Skilled Work Regional, State/Territory Nominated Provisional SC 491 | 13 |
| Skilled Work Regional, Family-Sponsored Provisional SC 491 | 23 |
| Skilled Regional Employer-Sponsored SC 494 | 9 |
| Skilled Work Regional, Family-Sponsored Provisional SC 491 | 23 |
| Temporary Work, Short Stay SC 400 | 1.3 |
| Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa SC 482 – Short-Term | 5 |
| Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa SC 482 – Medium-Term | 5 |
| Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa SC 482 – Medium-Term Labour Agreement | 5 |
| Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa SC 482 – Medium-Term Nomination | 6 |
| Temporary Skilled Shortage Visa SC 482 – Medium-Term Sponsorship | 2.8 |
| Skilled Recognized Graduate Visa SC 476 | 39 |
| Temporary Graduate (Work) Visa SC 485 – CLOSED | 17 |
| Temporary Graduate (Post-Study) Visa SC 485 | 11 |
Australia Migration Program Planning Levels Increase for the Federal Budgets
| Visa Stream | Visa Category | 2021-22 | 2022-23 |
| Skill | Employer Sponsored | 22,000 | 30,000 |
| Skilled Independent | 6,500 | 16,652 | |
| Regional | 11,200 | 25,000 | |
| State/Territory Nominated | 11,200 | 20,000 | |
| Business Innovation & Investment | 13,500 | 9,500 | |
| Global Talent (Independent) | 15,000 | 8,448 | |
| Distinguished Talent | 200 | 300 | |
| Skill Total | 79,600 | 109,900 | |
| Family | Partner (Demand driven estimate, not subject to a ceiling) | 72,300 | 40,500 |
| Parent | 4,500 | 6,000 | |
| Child (Demand driven estimate, not subject to a ceiling) | 3,000 | 3,000 | |
| Other Family | 500 | 500 | |
| Family Total | 77,300*** | 50,000 | |
| Special Eligibility | 100 | 100 | |
| Total Migration Program | 160,000 | 160,000 |
Australia Plans on Shorter Visa Processing Periods
Because of the shorter visa processing period, you may initially look forward to migrating to Australia as a temporary worker in regions. The employer-sponsored categories will be your first option if you live outside Australia. After, you may transition from provisional status to permanent residency by pursuing options onshore.
Whether pursuing temporary or permanent visas, you must first have your skills assessed for the profession you nominate. Most importantly, you must be less than 45 years of age when invited to apply for permanent residency. Therefore, you should lodge an application when you are younger.
Suppose you are going for residency under the Skilled Independent category without sponsorship or nomination. In that case, you must meet the minimum threshold of 67 points. Based on the most current recent invitation draws, a score of 85 to 90 assures invitation. However, the waiting period will be over 9 to 57 months.
More or less.