Will New Immigration Cap Affect Migration Rates to Australia?

In 2017-2018, Australia welcomed 162,417 permanent migrants as part of its annual migration program. Though the federal government is set to introduce new immigration requirements over the next four years, overseas migration to Australia is still at an all-time high. Individuals who are planning to make the move to Australia should keep in mind migration rates, requirements as well as important factors such as insurance as protection from whatever might happen while you’re transitioning to life in your new home country. To make sure you’re adequately covered, here are some crucial things to know if you’re planning to migrate to Australia.Latest Migration Rates to AustraliaThe latest official census released in 2016 revealed that Australia has a population of 23.4 million, 26.3% of whom were born overseas. By the end of December 2018, Australia’s population is estimated to have grown by 1.6%. This includes the more than 160,000 permanent migrants that entered the country in the last migration program year. The top 10 source countries for migrants are the United Kingdom (17.7%), New Zealand (8.4%), China (8.3%), India (2.8%), Philippines (3.8%), Vietnam (3.6%), Italy (2.8%), South Africa (2.6%), Malaysia (2.2%) and Sri Lanka (1.8%).Based on 2007-2017 statistics, the states with the largest population growth have been Victoria (22.7%), New South Wales (19.9%) and Queensland (19.9%). In terms of major cities, Melbourne’s population increased by 129,500 people in 2016-2017, with overseas migration contributing to 64.1% of that number. In Sydney, overseas migration accounted for 83.9% of the 90,200 people increase. Meanwhile, Brisbane’s population increased by 20,600 with overseas migration accounting for 40.6%.New Immigration RequirementsDue to the large influx of migrants to Australia, major cities like Sydney, Melbourne and Perth have been experiencing massive congestion. This is one of the issues that Australia’s new immigration policies seek to address. For the next four years, the federal government has lowered the immigration cap to 160,000, which is 30,000 less than the cap that has been enforced since 2011. The previous 43,000 cap for skilled independent visas, which allowed immigrants to live and work anywhere in the country, has now been slashed to 18,000.Meanwhile, there will be 23,000 new skilled regional visas for people who are amenable to working and living in regional areas. Apart from that, migrants will need to spend at least three years in these regional areas before they are able to apply for permanent residency. International students will be able to extend their post-study visa provided that they study in universities located outside of Melbourne, Sydney, Perth and Queensland. The federal government has also said that there will be new regional permanent visas to be introduced in 2022.Important Things To Consider When Moving To AustraliaFor those who are eligible to migrate to Australia under these new immigration policies, it’s important to consider certain aspects that can make your upcoming move smoother and problem-free. One of the most crucial things to consider when moving to Australia is having personal insurance cover. You might want to switch your health fund to something that is more comprehensive. Not all insurances are the same so you should consider one that meets your specific needs, gives you more freedom to choose, provides standard services like emergency ambulance and access to preventative services. Whether you're moving or just travelling to Australia, insurance will be able to ease the costs of medical treatment and other procedures.Apart from insurance, there are many other important factors to consider. It’s good to have a relocation checklist where you consider aspects like employment opportunities, housing, childcare services and budget allocation. If you want a smoother transition, migration agents can also help you with the moving process.Australia is one of the most popular countries for overseas migration. While this has led to new immigration policies to address building congestion in major cities, there are still a large number of individuals planning to migrate to Australia. To have a smoother transition, it’s important to consider current migration rates and patterns. You also need to cover all the bases; that means having the proper insurance to cover you from unfortunate situations that might arise. Considering all the aspects we mentioned will give you a better perspective as well as an easier time when planning your move to Australia.Web content composed with the free instant HTML code editor.