The numbers of overseas migrants on temporary visas in Australia has remained high despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Data sourced from the Department of Home Affairs shows there were 1,470,899 people in Australia on temporary visas.
The data also shows an increase in people on bridging visas, a trend indicating that our visa system is not working as efficiently or effectively as it should. This is an issue that requires urgent attention and resolution.
A clear and viable solution to alleviate this backlog of bridging visas would be to increase the current level of Permanent Residency (PR) places available.
|
Visa Category |
Visa Subclass |
31/8/21 |
| Bridging | 010 Bridging A | 257,381 |
| 020 Bridging B | 20,273 | |
| 030 Bridging C | 37,342 | |
| Bridging Total | 314,996 | |
| Special Category | 444 Special Category | 659,115 |
| Special Category Total | 659,115 | |
| Student | 500 Student | 285,497 |
| 560 Student | 8 | |
| 570 Independent ELICOS Sector | <5 | |
| 571 Schools Sector | 336 | |
| 572 Vocational Education and Training Sector | 28 | |
| 573 Higher Education Sector | 522 | |
| 574 Postgraduate Research Sector | 41 | |
| 575 Non-Award Sector | <5 | |
Student Total |
286,434 |
|
| Temporary Protection | 785 Temporary Protection | 3,980 |
| 790 Safe Haven Enterprise | 9,304 | |
| Temporary Protection Total | 13,284 | |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) | 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) | 1,137 |
| 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) | 11,421 | |
| 408 Temporary Activity | 13,958 | |
| 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) | 4,779 | |
| 476 Skilled – Recognised Graduate | 153 | |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | 77,341 | |
| 995 Diplomatic (Temporary) | 2,188 | |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) Total | 110,977 | |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) | 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) | 7,761 |
| 482 Temporary Skill Shortage | 45,324 | |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) Total | 53,085 | |
| Working Holiday Maker | 417 Working Holiday | 26,009 |
| 462 Work and Holiday | 6,999 | |
| Working Holiday Maker Total | 33,008 | |
| Grand Total | 1,470,899 |
Number of Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) primary visa holders in Australia as at 31 August 2021, by visa subclass
| Visa Category | Visa Subclass | 31/8/21 |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) | 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) | 7,761 |
| 482 Temporary Skill Shortage | 45,324 | |
| Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) Total | 53,085 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, BP0012
| Visa Category | Visa Subclass | 31/8/21 |
| Bridging | 010 Bridging A | 257,381 |
| 020 Bridging B | 20,273 | |
| 030 Bridging C | 37,342 | |
| Bridging Total | 314,996 | |
| Special Category | 444 Special Category | 659,115 |
| Special Category Total | 659,115 | |
| Student | 500 Student | 285,497 |
| 560 Student | 8 | |
| 570 Independent ELICOS Sector | <5 | |
| 571 Schools Sector | 336 | |
| 572 Vocational Education and Training Sector | 28 | |
| 573 Higher Education Sector | 522 | |
| 574 Postgraduate Research Sector | 41 | |
| 575 Non-Award Sector | <5 | |
| Student Total | 286,434 | |
| Temporary Protection | 785 Temporary Protection | 3,980 |
| 790 Safe Haven Enterprise | 9,304 | |
| Temporary Protection Total | 13,284 | |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) | 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) | 1,137 |
| 403 Temporary Work (International Relations) | 11,421 | |
| 408 Temporary Activity | 13,958 | |
| 461 New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship (Temporary) | 4,779 | |
| 476 Skilled – Recognised Graduate | 153 | |
| 485 Temporary Graduate | 77,341 | |
| 995 Diplomatic (Temporary) | 2,188 | |
| Temporary Resident (Other Employment) Total | 110,977 | |
| Working Holiday Maker | 417 Working Holiday | 26,009 |
| 462 Work and Holiday | 6,999 | |
| Working Holiday Maker Total | 33,008 | |
| Grand Total | 1,417,814 |
Source: Department of Home Affairs, BP0012
Note: Excludes Temporary Resident (Skilled Employment) visa
subclasses.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
