2020-21 Budget: Planning levels remain at 160,000; Partner visa places up 82 per cent, sponsor framework and English language tests soon

2020-21 Budget: Planning levels remain at 160,000; Partner visa places up 82 per cent, sponsor framework and English language tests soon

The Federal Budget handed down last night came with a number of surprises to Australia’s permanent migration programs. Of note is the prioritisation of certain skilled visas and onshore applicants and a one-off boost to partner visa processing numbers. Partner visa applicants and some sponsors will need to meet English language requirements along with an increase in requirements to be a sponsor.

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Citizenship tests from 15 Nov 2020 adds five Australian values questions that must be passed

Citizenship tests from 15 Nov 2020 adds five Australian values questions that must be passed

Any Australian citizenship test taken from 15 November 2020 will add five questions on Australian values that applicants must answer correctly in addition to the 75 per cent overall pass mark to be approved. This announcement, however, may overshadow even more important aspects relating to residency and English requirements.

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2019-20: 88 per cent of Australia’s migration planning levels reached, 140,366 visas granted

2019-20: 88 per cent of Australia’s migration planning levels reached, 140,366 visas granted

There were 140,366 permanent visas granted, which is 88 per cent of a total of 160,000 visas set aside for the 2019-20 migration program year. This distribution was not even as some visa programs and subclasses met their targets while others missed their mark.

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