Australia has historically welcomed millions of skilled migrants, contributing positively to the workforce and economy, but COVID-19 has led to a significant decline in immigration, resulting in a negative impact on economic growth and increased skills shortages. The backlog in visa processing and increased outbound migration further complicate the situation, challenging the recovery from the pandemic. Recent reports emphasize the need for more permanent skilled migration and flexible immigration policies to address workforce shortages and support economic aspirations.

1. Australia Need
More Skilled Workers And
Migrants

2. Over the past 70 years, Australia has welcomed more than
seven million permanent migrants, more than two million
of whom have entered in the last ten years.
These immigrants tend to be younger than the Australian
population, more likely to have postsecondary degrees, and
facilitate crucial international business and financial ties.
Recent waves of immigration have not negatively impacted
Australian-born workers' income or employment
opportunities, as CEDA showed in its Effects of
Temporary Migration report.

3. The permanent immigration program has changed over time in response to societal
expectations, political climates, and economic demands. However, it has continued to
place a strong emphasis on choosing immigrants who will complement the domestic
labour force.
But these long-term trends have been reversed by COVID-19, as the health response
limits migrants to Australia from abroad. As a result, Australia is currently
experiencing net negative migration for the first time since World War II. This will
have a significant negative impact on economic growth and make the long-term
negative effects of an ageing population worse. While pockets of skill shortage exist in
some crucial areas, governments and the community will be concentrating on high
unemployment rates and assisting domestic workers in changing careers.

4. How Covid-19 Impacted the Immigration
in Australia?

5. Workforce skills have been cited by Prime Minister Scott Morrison as the "single
biggest problem facing the Australian economy" as it attempts to recover from the
COVID-19 pandemic. It's a top issue, according to employer surveys.
A further worry is the anticipated 85% decline in net international migration from
2018–19 levels in 2020–21 as a result of border closures connected to COVID.
The urgency of increased and more flexible temporary and permanent migration
has been emphasised by the Committee for Economic Development of Australia
(CEDA), as the post-pandemic recovery increases the competition for talent and
skills on a worldwide scale. Australia runs the danger of losing talented people to
more alluring locations.

6. The decrease in foreign arrivals into Australia
is not unexpected, but the increase in
outbound migration was not predicted in the
most recent data from the Australian
Bureau of Statistics.
According to information made public on
December 17 2022, Australia lost 88,800
persons in 2020–21 as a result of COVID's
effects on international migration.

7. ❏ A million potential employees are currently stranded in Australia due to an
explosion in visa processing timeframes, which has made the severe personnel
shortages that are crippling businesses and dampening economic sentiment
worse.
❏ According to immigration data viewed by Reuters, there were over 914,000
applications pending for temporary and permanent visa to Australia as of
August 12. This has made it difficult to implement an apparently straightforward
solution to the issue of allowing more migrants to enter the country.
❏ About 370,000 of these are temporary visas in the vital categories of visitors,
students, and skilled workers that are essential for the nation's economic
recovery. Additionally, it includes people who are currently in Australia and
want to switch to a more permanent visa status.
Delay In Visa Processing

8. ❏ The lack of resources at immigration offices and the massive backlog of
applications that went neglected for two years while the pandemic compelled
the government to lock the borders are the main causes of the delays.
❏ In order to reduce the enormous backlog, the department has hired more than
180 extra employees in jobs related to Australian skilled work visa
processing since May. It has been able to process approximately 1.14 million
applications from persons outside of Australia in the past two months.
❏ In order to reduce the enormous backlog, the department has hired more than
180 extra employees in jobs related to visa processing since May. It has been
able to process approximately 1.14 million applications from persons outside of
Australia in the past two months.
❏ But given that more than 600,000 people on temporary visas have left the
country since the pandemic, much more has to be done to close the significant
skills gaps in the construction, hotel, and health sectors.

9. Australia normally depends on immigration for approximately two thirds of its
population growth, and skilled immigrants are a significant supply of talent.
The difficulties faced by industry sectors that depend on temporary and permanent
migrants to fill skills gaps were made worse by COVID-related restrictions of national
and state borders.
A report just released by CEDA calls for more permanent skilled migration. In order to
demonstrate that recent migration waves have not resulted in lower earnings or fewer
job opportunities for Australian-born employees, this report and a 2019 CEDA report
are available.
Why migration is crucial for Economic Growth?

10. ❏ Build up an online job matching service that is governed by the government
❏ Update the Standard Classification of Occupations Codes in Australia and New
Zealand to allow immigrants with necessary or cutting-edge capabilities
❏ Be more open about how it determines which jobs should be considered for
inclusion on the skilled occupation listings.
The Global Talent Scheme (GTS) is characterised as "extremely restricted" by
CEDA. Following COVID, Minister Hawke recognised, Australia's immigration
policies must be more adaptable and responsive. He cited the higher GTS intake of
15,000 slots in 2020–21, which is a triple of the allocation from the previous year.
The migration program's structure and composition, however, are still unknown.
Recent report from CEDA asks the federal government to

11. We have watched as the COVID-19 border controls and quarantine standards have
been relaxed to create the "Trans-Tasman Bubble," a safe travel zone between
Australia and New Zealand. The Department of Home Affairs has included
numerous more exceptions and benefits for both onshore and offshore migrants.
These exemptions and accommodations are meant to reduce COVID-19-related
inconveniences and encourage family members of Australian citizens, permanent
residents, business investors, and skilled immigrants employed in "important
industries" to travel.
How The Australian Government Address These Issues?

12. The Department of Home Affairs has also made
accommodations that provide visa applicants more time to
finish the requirements for their ongoing visa applications.
Most recently, a relaxation of the requirement that some
applicants be offshore at the time their visa is granted was
made available. If a migrant does not fall under one of the
listed exemption categories but still has to go to Australia
right away, they can currently request for travel exemptions
based on "compelling and compassionate" conditions.

13. With all of these, we now know that Australia may be your
land of opportunity if you're trying to start or advance your
career. The government has now softened its attitude
toward immigration. Immigration law is still very
complicated, and its rules and regulations can change
frequently. Therefore, in order to receive relevant and up-
to-date guidance for your visa applications, speak with
experts.
Regardless of the visa option you chose, whether you are
moving permanently, joining your family, or travelling to
Australia for employment, an Australian migration
lawyers can help to make sure you have the best chance
of success.
Final Words..