Immigration Department’s Latest Visa Processing Data Released!
Overview of Australia’s Visa Processing for the Second Half of 2024 and Latest Data Insights
According to the Australian Immigration Department’s latest administrative report from February 2024, detailed data on the processing of temporary and migration visa applications for the second half of 2024 (July 1 to December 31, 2024) has been provided. Below are the key statistics and trends drawn from the report.
Growth in Visa Applications
In the second half of 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs received a total of 4,856,000 visa applications for temporary and migration visas, a 1.6% increase from 4,780,000 applications in the same period of 2023. This indicates a continued growth in demand for Australian visas, particularly in the tourism, business, and skilled visa categories.
Visa Processing Situation
During the same period, the Australian Department of Home Affairs processed a total of 4,866,000 visa applications, demonstrating the department’s efficient processing capacity. However, the refusal rate has increased. The refusal rate for visa applications in the second half of 2024 was around 7.0%, with factors such as varying application quality, stricter risk assessments, and heightened scrutiny contributing to this increase.
Australia’s Temporary Visa Overview
1. Visitor Visas
- Increase in Visitor Visa Holders: By December 31, 2024, the number of visitor visa holders in Australia reached 629,075, up 4.7% from 601,051 at the same time in 2023.
- Growth in Applications and Approvals: For the 2024-25 financial year, up to December 31, applications for visitor visas grew by 3.1%, while approvals increased by 3.9%. This shows continued recovery in the tourism and business markets, although global demand for visitor visas has not yet fully returned to pre-pandemic levels.
- Changes in Refusal Rates: Due to socio-economic changes in key source countries and a decline in the quality of applications, the Immigration Department has adopted stricter visa assessments. This has resulted in a decrease in the refusal rate, although it remains relatively high.
2. Student Visas
- Decrease in Student Visa Applications: For the 2024-25 financial year, as of December 31, 203,682 student visa applications were lodged, representing a 27.9% decline from the 282,312 applications in the 2023-24 year.
- Reduction in Approvals: During the same period, 234,142 student visa applications were processed, down 4.9% from the previous year.
- Decline in Refusal Rates: The refusal rate for student visas in the 2024-25 financial year saw a slight decrease to 18.0%, improving from 18.9% in the 2023-24 financial year.
3. Employer-Sponsored Visas (482 Visas)
With ongoing demand for temporary skilled workers in healthcare, aged care, and hospitality, particularly in regional areas for chefs, employer-sponsored 482 visa applications have seen strong growth.
Popular Occupations for Employer-Sponsored Temporary Skilled Visas
According to the Immigration Department’s report, the five most common occupations for the 2022-23 financial year so far are:
- Chef
- General Practitioners & Resident Medical Officers
- Motor Mechanics
- Software and Applications Programmers
- Registered Nurses
Conclusion
The report shows positive signs of recovery in Australia’s immigration market, especially in the tourism and employer-sponsored visa categories. However, visa refusal rates remain a concern, particularly in student and visitor visa applications. Improving application quality will be key to successful applications in the future.
If you have any questions regarding Australian visas or require professional assistance, feel free to contact our expert team Riverwood Migration. We are here to provide you with the most professional immigration advice and help you achieve your dream of migrating to Australia!
