The assumption based on Australia’s budget outlook released in Canberra on Thursday indicates that the country will lift its border restrictions progressively from January 2021. This comes as a cue based on the economic outlook delivered by Finance minister Mathias Cormann and Treasurer Josh Frydenberg. The Treasurer, however, insisted that no decision has been made on opening the borders. But the budget forecast relies on the travel ban ending by start of January 2021. A two-week mandatory quarantine will still remain in place for all arrivals.
“This leads to resumption of arrivals by temporary and permanent migrants, but at lower levels overall than normal” the economic outlook statement says.
Key takeaway of the budget outlook
It is predicted that international migration is likely to fall from 232,000 in 2018-19 to 154,000 in 2019-20 and 31,000 in 2020-21.
Australia’s Health Minister Greg hunt said from a Health perspective, the border closure will be constantly reviewed. However, Frydenberg acknowledged that only citizen, permanent Residents, and a small number of international students will be able to travel to Australia between July and December 2020 and insisted that Morrison government has not yet made any policy decisions regarding the opening of international borders, and said that most of the Treasury’s forecast on international border restrictions were made in dynamic conditions and are subject to change in accordance with evolving coronavirus situation.
Reopening of borders in January sounds optimistic
The assumption to reopen the borders in January sounds optimistic and Australia is anticipating a decent-sized migration program this financial year. It is believed that these assumptions are in place to facilitate the return of international students, 20 percent of whom are currently stranded overseas.
The January deadline comes as good news for all the aspiring Permanent Residents as this deadline could lead to recommencement of Permanent Resident visa processing. It is assumed that processing of Permanent Resident visa applications would resume by November-December and it is quite possible to witness a large sized migration program in the coming days.
Here’s what we would suggest the aspiring Australian Permanent Residents, start your visa application process to avoid any backlogs. Given the complexity of coronavirus situation we could expect changes in the policy as the situation subsides.
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