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Australian government changes visa pricing system
| Published: | 23 Oct at 6 PM |
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The Australian government has announced its new user-payment pricing system, admitting that the changes will make visas more expensive in areas of significant demand.
Australia’s Acting Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Kate Lundy, announced the changes yesterday, noting that initial moves towards a ‘fairer’ user-pays system had already been introduced over the past year. The changes were announced as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Explaining this latest move, Lundy said that, in areas of high demand, targeted increases have been made to the cost of processing entry visas. The Senator added a high number of people worldwide wanted to work in Australia due to the country’s economic strength, with the rise in visa costs appropriately reflecting demand.
She noted that, in less popular visa categories, increased applicant costs are unlikely at present. The changes will take effect from the beginning of January 2013, with Senator Lundy adding that the government does not expect demand for work and other visas to be affected by the increased rates.
Skilled graduate visas will be increased to A$1260 from A$315 and temporary skilled worker visas will cost A$455, up from A$350. Working holiday visas will cost A$360, up from A$280, partner visas for those already in Oz will increase to A$4,000 from A$3060 and partner visas applied for outside the country will cost A$2700, increased from A$2060.
Australia’s Acting Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, Senator Kate Lundy, announced the changes yesterday, noting that initial moves towards a ‘fairer’ user-pays system had already been introduced over the past year. The changes were announced as part of the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
Explaining this latest move, Lundy said that, in areas of high demand, targeted increases have been made to the cost of processing entry visas. The Senator added a high number of people worldwide wanted to work in Australia due to the country’s economic strength, with the rise in visa costs appropriately reflecting demand.
She noted that, in less popular visa categories, increased applicant costs are unlikely at present. The changes will take effect from the beginning of January 2013, with Senator Lundy adding that the government does not expect demand for work and other visas to be affected by the increased rates.
Skilled graduate visas will be increased to A$1260 from A$315 and temporary skilled worker visas will cost A$455, up from A$350. Working holiday visas will cost A$360, up from A$280, partner visas for those already in Oz will increase to A$4,000 from A$3060 and partner visas applied for outside the country will cost A$2700, increased from A$2060.
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