NATIONAL CABINET
ITEM 5: Better Planning for Stronger Growth
28 APRIL 2023
AUTHOR: COMMONWEALTH
FOR DECISION
RECOMMENDATIONS
That First Ministers:
1.
Note:
a. the need for the Commonwealth, states and territories to have a shared
ambition on the growth of Australian cities, towns and suburbs
b. to accommodate population growth, Australia will need to be more purposeful
on the location and supply of housing, the organisation of economic activity and
movement of people across our cities.
2. Recognise:
a. the need for states to have a greater role in identifying their migration needs
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
3. Agree the below measures that will support a national approach to the growth of our
cities, towns and suburbs.
Migration
a. Agree that the Commonwealth commit to a greater role for states and territories
to contribute to Australia’s migration settings as part of the development of the
new national Migration Strategy.
b. Note that the Commonwealth will undertake several measures through the
2023-24 Budget to improve migration outcomes including funding for increased
visa processing capacity, expanding pathways to permanent residence for
temporary skilled sponsored workers
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
These actions demonstrate the Commonwealth’s commitment to
s 22(1)(a)
working with the states and territories on migration reform including addressing
previous requests for migration reform.
OFFICIAL: Sensitive
1
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
Item 5: ATTACHMENT A
NATIONAL CABINET
Better Planning for Stronger Growth
28 APRIL 2023
AUTHOR: COMMONWEALTH
SUMMARY
Migration reform
The Commonwealth is committed to a transformed migration system that works for
Australia and for migrants. A key enabler of this is the delivery of the Commonwealth’s
migration strategy, A Migration System for a more Prosperous and Secure Australia’.
Greater role for the states and territories in Australia’s migration settings
Following ongoing consultation with states and territories as part of the Review of the
Migration System Final Report, the Commonwealth has developed an Outline of the
Government’s Migration Strategy. The Outline sets the direction for further detailed
consultation, design and implementation. This will be shared with states and territories for
consultation and it commits to creating a new, nation building endeavour with states and
territories in longer-term migration planning,
In addition to the review, the Commonwealth is committed to ongoing work with the states
and territories on migration reform including working to address previous requests for
migration reform. Recognising this commitment, through the 2023-24 Budget, the
Commonwealth will announce several measures as a first step to improve migration
outcomes including:
Increased visa processing capability
The Commonwealth will provide additional funding to sustain enhanced visa processing
capacity. This will ensure the Department of Home Affairs can continue to work on reducing
the backlog, improve processing times and support delivery of visa facilitation priorities
including those in relation to the Pacific and Southeast Asia.
Home Affairs will also implement system changes to improve client experience, deliver
more efficient processes and reduce wait times. This measure maintains the additional
funding announced at the 2022 Jobs and Skills Summit.
Expanding pathways to permanent residence for temporary skilled sponsored
workers
The Commonwealth will establish a pathway to permanent residence for all temporary
skilled sponsored (TSS) workers, including those holding a Temporary Skill Shortage
(subclass 482) visa or a Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457) visa. The expansion will
enable employers to sponsor workers in a wider range of occupations permanently.
1
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
s 22(1)(a)(ii)
