Australia Raises PR Migration Program Cap for 2022-23 to address Skill Shortages

Australia has raised the Permanent Migration Program cap to 195,000 for the program year 2022-23. The government has increased the PR Migration ceiling by 35,000 to address the skill shortage and reduce the reliability on short-term workers. It is the first time in decades Australia has raised its permanent migration cap. 

In the recent Jobs and Skills Summit, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has announced this increase in migration ceiling. Australia has lifted all Covid-19 restrictions on July 6, 2022 and since then it is welcoming the new travellers from around the world. Several State nomination program of Australia are now open and inviting the overseas applicants. 

Permanent Migration Cap Raised by Australia

Australian government is also extending visas and easing work restrictions on foreign students to strengthen the pipeline of skilled labour, and providing additional funding to resolve the visa backlog. For last few years, Department of Home Affairs (DHA), Australia was inviting 160,000 new permanent residents every program year. However, for 2022-23 this target has been raised to 190,000.

Also read- Australia State nomination programs are Inviting Skilled professionals for 2022-23

This rise in migration target will take effect for the current financial year ending June 2023 and will bring migration target largely in line with the annual cap of 190,000, which was few years back, i.e. prior to the global pandemic.

Here are the key highlights about this latest Australia immigration update:

• Permanent migration ceiling has been raised by 35,000
• Change brought in for 1 year as of now
• Extra funds, staff for faster visa processing
  

 Australia’s unemployment rate is at a near 50-year-low of 3.4% now, however, labour shortages have mostly contributed to rising inflation that has reduced real wages.

Hence, this rise in ceiling is surely a step by the government of Australia to survive international competition to attract global talent in the country and consequently, meet the increasing skill shortage problem in the country.