Temporary Visa numbers reach record high in Australia

The Australian Govt. decided to cut down the permanent immigration numbers from 190,000 to 160,000 this year. The move intended to restrict population growth pressures on major cities, particularly Sydney and Melbourne. 

However, even though the permanent immigration numbers have been reduced, net long-term arrivals and net overseas migration are at a record high. 

The difference between the permanent immigration numbers and net overseas migration can be explained by an increase in temporary migrants. Migrants on Temporary Visas reached a record high of 2.33 million in September 2019. This indicated an increase of 640,000 over the past seven years. 

Hence, in September 2019, one in every 11 residents in Australia was on a Temporary Visa. 

Student Visas, as expected, drove this spike in Temporary Visas. There were 634,000 Student Visa holders in Australia by September 2019, increasing by 292,000 over the last seven years. 

The remaining Temporary Visas were mostly driven by Visitor Visas and Bridging Visas. Visitor Visas increased by 146,000 and Bridging Visas by 117,000 since 2012. 

The Federal Govt. projects that Temporary Visa numbers may increase even more as the April federal budget forecasts rising net overseas migration. 

A high net overseas migration could mean immense population growth for New South Wales and Victoria. It is estimated that the population in NSW will grow by 600,000 while Victoria’s may grow by 650,000. 

Y-Axis offers a wide range of visa services and products for aspiring overseas immigrants including Australia General Skilled Migration Program via RMA, Australia Skilled Regional Visa, Australia Temporary Skilled Work Visa, and Australia Temporary Graduate Visa Subclass 485. We work with Registered Migration Agents in Australia.   

If you are looking to Visit, Study, Work, Invest or Migrate to Australia, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No.1 Immigration & Visa Consultant.   

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