CANBERRA, Australia: Australia will address significant abuses of its visa system, the government said on Thursday, in a bid to crack down on human trafficking and other forms of organized crime.
The government will establish a division in the Department of Home Affairs to tackle abuses of the visa and migration system, funded with A$50 million ($31.48 million).
The government revealed plans to establish a dedicated division within the Department of Home Affairs, allocating A$50 million ($31.48 million) to tackle issues related to visa and migration.
A January report by former police commissioner Christine Nixon highlighted instances of “sexual exploitation, human trafficking, and other organized crime” within the immigration system. Immigration minister Andrew Giles emphasized the findings of the Nixon Review, which identified substantial abuse and misuse of Australia’s visa system.
In response, Giles stated, “By once again prioritizing integrity in immigration, we’re able to help protect vulnerable communities from exploitation and make our visa system fairer for everyone.” Australia, which heavily relies on immigration to meet the demands of one of the world’s tightest labour markets, has proposed a comprehensive overhaul of its system. The objective is to expedite the entry of highly skilled workers and streamline the pathway to permanent residency.
In April, the government outlined plans to simplify and hasten the visa process for skilled professionals. Additionally, efforts will be made to enhance the retention of international students, reflecting a broader strategy to ensure the integrity of the visa system while addressing labour market needs.
