2025 Federal Budget and Australian Immigration: Upon delivery of the 2025 federal budget on March 25, 2025, there were few fresh announcements pertaining to immigration. Nevertheless, it shed light on current tendencies and the distribution of funds that mirror the government’s objectives regarding migration policy. The following is a complete overview of the budget’s most important provisions pertaining to immigration:
2025 Federal Budget and Australian Immigration
Lack of Permanent Migration Planning Levels
In the fiscal year 2025–26, the Australian government’s budget did not provide any funds for the permanent migration scheme. This oversight has created confusion among players over the potential adjustment or maintenance of the intake level, which is 185,000 spaces. The Migration Institute of Australia (MIA) has predicted that, barring any changes brought about by the impending federal election on May 3, 2025, the scheme would most likely remain at its current level.
In particular, should they come to power, the Coalition has pledged to cut the number of available permanent migration spots from 185,000 to 140,000—a reduction of around 25%.
Net Overseas Migration (NOM) Trends
Net Overseas Migration (NOM) hit a record high during the years after the epidemic, but experts expect it will fall sharply in the years to come. Experts predict the following trends: From an anticipated 435,000 in 2023–24 to
- 335,000 in the fiscal year 2024-25
- 260,000 from 2025 to 26
Stabilising at 225,000 annually by 2027-28
This decrease is a result of a more deliberate strategy for controlling migrant flows to alleviate housing and infrastructural shortages.
Immigration Funding Priorities
There were a number of immigration-related sectors that received financing in the budget:
2025 Federal Budget and Australian Immigration: Programme for Migration
Visa integrity and employer-sponsored paths received $315.2 million.
Administration of Visas
Digital transformation projects with the goal of simplifying visa applications received $534.5 million.
Humanitarian and refugee programmes
- Resettlement assistance for refugees and migrant services received $862.1 million.
- Processing offshore, $588.7 million was reserved for the purpose of controlling illegal boat arrivals.
Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship
The promotion of social cohesion received $222.7 million.
The Relief and Assistance Programme for Refugees
There will be no expansion to Australia’s Refugee and Humanitarian Programme, which has a yearly ceiling of 20,000 spots, notwithstanding the severity of humanitarian crises throughout the world. Despite this,
- Economic Pathways to Refugee Integration and similar effective projects will get continued funding.
- Programmes promoting intercultural integration have received more funding.
A Centre for Employer-Sponsored Migration
Priority areas for the government were employer-sponsored migration paths.
- New regulations have made it easier for businesses to sponsor their employees.
- With the rising attention on companies’ duties, visa compliance continues to be a crucial area of concern.
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