No English, no visa - even if you're married to an Aussie: Huge change brings in language test for loved ones who want to settle Down Under
Immigrants applying for a partner visa will be tested for 'functional levels' of English before they are granted permanent residency.
The government may require immigrants who do not speak English to have 500 hours of free class under the plan announced in Tuesday's budget.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new requirement would promote social and economic inclusion.
Partners of immigrants will now have to pass an English test if they want to apply for visa (pictured, people fly into Australia from NZ during COVID-19 pandemic)
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the new test would promote social and economic inclusion
'It's a much more basic level of English language competency and we think this is important to just enable people to engage to access government services,' Mr Morrison said on Wednesday.
'For example, to engage with those who are seeking to assist to access and get the best possible medical treatment, to understand what teachers are saying at school at parent-teacher conferences, and to understand their rights.'
Partner visa are processed in two stages. First an applicant gets a temporary visa for about two years after which they can apply for permanent residency.
The English language requirements will need to be fulfilled at the second stage when the partner wants to become a permanent resident.
'What this will mean is that we will require an applicant and a sponsor to have met functional level English or to have at least made reasonable efforts to learn English,' said Immigration Minister Alan Tudge.
'And by reasonable efforts we mean for most people that would be doing about 500 hours of free English language classes.'
Mr Tudge said the English test will be much simpler than the one needed to be met for economic migration.
Earlier this year the government made English classes free for migrants.
The policy will kick in from the middle of next year. The requirements will apply to applicants and their partners who are permanent residents not citizens.
Andrew Giles , MP and Labor's spokesperson for Multicultural Affairs and Assisting for Immigration and Citizenship, said the government needs to understand the impact the new measure will have
Mr Tudge said about one million partners who are in Australia cannot speak English.
'In some cases, the husband will not want his partner or wife to learn English. And in part that's for control reasons,' he said.
The announcement has been slammed by the Opposition, who claim the new rule ignores Australia's multicultural values.
Andrew Giles, a Labor MP and the party's spokesman for Multicultural Affairs and Assisting for Immigration and Citizenship, said the government needs to understand the impact of the new measure.
'It's come about without any context ... and it seems to reflect an understanding of Australian society that's anchored in the past, that doesn't recognise the multicultural nation we are today,' he told SBS.
People can apply for partner visa from inside or outside of Australia.
It can set applicants back about $8,000.
Applicants are often allowed a bridging visa while their visas are processed.
Other visa changes announced on Tuesday include waiving or refunding application charge for temporary visa holders affected by the COVID-19.
There is also a push on the Family Stream Visa, with a temporary application increase from 47,700 to 77,000.