The Australian government has updated its 11th edition of The Administration of the Immigration and Citizenship Programs paper, including new information on immigration programs, policies, citizenship, the humanitarian program, and the free English language-learning website.
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Immigration Programs
Pandemic Event visas will be closed from 1 February 2024. Until 31 January 2024, only existing COVID-19 Pandemic event visa holders are eligible for a COVID-19 Pandemic event visa.
For the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement announced by the government,8 agreements are in effect, providing for more than 6,000 direct care workers over five years.
Immigration Policy
The declassified Nixon Review report, as well as the government response to its 34 recommendations, were released on 4 October 2023.
The government response to the Nixon Review will work to address the identified gaps and rebuild the integrity of the visa system.
Citizenship
More than 22,500 NZ New Zealanders residing in Australia applied for Australian citizenship by conferral between 1 July and 31 August 2023, via the new direct pathway. The average processing time from lodgement to decision has decreased by 53% from the same period last year.
Humanitarian program
On 31 August the Australian Government announced an increase in the Humanitarian program for 2023-2024, from 17,875 to 20,000 places for visas to be granted in the offshore and the onshore program.
Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP)
The free English language-learning website AMEPOnline, was relaunched on 1 July 2023. This resource is available to anyone, anywhere and anytime, and has been accessed by more than 100,000 users.
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