In the last decade national elections Down Under have resulted in changing policies relating to Australian visas and migration. Tens of thousands of people around the world were previously left in limbo when the government introduced changes to Australian visa rules and the preferred skills list.

Demand for Australian visas and migration has increased in recent years and neither applicants; government or the travel and migration industry wants a repeat of past problems.

“There was a period of uncertainty and long delays in people’s visa applications,” says Darrell Todd, founder of thinkingaustralia.com “The Australian economy was going through a great period of change and it took time for governments to re-align visa and migration policies. “In recent years visa regulations have stabilised, creating greater certainty for the millions of people around the world who consider Australia an attractive destination.

Any changes to Australian visas ?
Mr Todd was of the view that since no major changes to visa policies have been announced by the main political parties as part of any election manifesto, so students, backpackers, tourists, temporary workers and migrants can continue to have confidence in any plans they may have regarding Australia.

The regulations covering Australian visas and migration will, of course, change over time as the country’s economy develops and the government responds to changing global trends.

“The preferred occupations and skills list is bound to change over the long term,” says Darrell Todd. “But there are no major changes currently being forecast and we have heard nothing from government sources to indicate that significant change is planned, or indeed needed.”

Australians will vote on Saturday 2nd July in a federal election to decide who will become the 226 members of the Parliament of Australia. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull is seeking to win a majority for his Liberal party and form the next government on his own terms. A most recent national poll showed support for the Coalition has increased to 51% compared to the Labor party’s 49%.

Courtesy of thinkingaustralia.com – Darrell Todd

Administrators note:

If Labour however are successful at the polls, then given the strong influence held by the larger trade unions particularly, over the party, then changes can be expected in respect of the 457 skilled worker program and even some elements of the permanent  skilled migration program.

Australia’s strong position on immigration – whilst never popular with the left side of politics – and given Australia is an island,  has ensured that immigration is not an issue on the scale that was recently witnessed in the British referendum.