Migration visa pricing changes examined

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Created on Tuesday, 08 May 2012 18:20

Written by Editorial staff

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) has released information regarding the implementation of a new pricing schedule for migration visas.

In a presentation delivered by the director of the DIAC's Client Strategy Branch Bernadette Levett, the context of cost considerations and scheduling was examined by a NSW reference group.

The session held on March 30 asserted that the new pricing changes were necessary to match the department's wider reform program.

This includes providing integrated services to the DIACs clients worldwide - with IT upgrades and increased business services requiring additional investments to deliver simplified solutions with less red tape.

In particular, the presentation asserted that the changes made to immigration visa prices would be made to keep them in line with the broader business operational model which seeks to promote the use of online channels when applicants are making a submission or checking their case status.

The new scheduling will be slanted towards encouraging users to consider the range of lower-cost communication channels available to them in order to maintain an efficient, streamlined avenue for applications.

Charges will be made per person, rather than per application, and will also be set to support industry growth in certain sectors such as education.

The presentation suggested that skilled migration and temporary economic visas would be affected by the scheduled changes, while at the same time those in possession of residency - both shorter stays and long-term privileges - would be encouraged to take the necessary steps to become full-fledged citizens.

As registered agents know, the visa application charges have already undergone changes from January 1 with student rates dropping by five per cent, while other subclasses rose by as much as 15 per cent.

July 2012 will see a fee introduced for clients who require a label affixed to their passport - a move that is intended to drive more users towards online verification checking services.

From July 1 2013, additional changes will be made to a number of visas, including the 456, 457 and 676 subclasses - with additional charges for onshore processing, paper applications and other elements as deemed necessary by the DIAC.

In addition, all assisted-payment methods are to be eliminated from departmental transactions, replaced instead by a range of self-service portals and online lodgement facilities in an effort to reduce transaction costs and keep the state competitive with other high-profile destinations around the world.