English language requirement for Australian partner visa applicants to begin ‘late 2021’

At a multicultural media briefing on Wednesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the level of English required of partner visa applicants would be a “much more basic level of English language competency” than required of economic migrants, understood to mean those in the skilled migration stream which already has language requirements.

The changes are estimated to save the government almost $5 million over four years.

‘Sentiments of the White Australia policy’

In the wake of the announcement, couples waiting to reunite in Australia said they were “freaking out” warning that it would harm Australians who fall in love with people from non-English speaking countries.

Labor’s Minister for Multicultural Affairs Andrew Giles also expressed concerns over the changes, saying: “I really don’t see how the standard of anyone’s English language proficiency is relevant to their capacity to form a loving relationship with an Australian”.

Australian National University demographer Liz Allen told SBS News the changes to partner visa requirements “returns Australia back to the sentiments of the White Australia policy, sending a signal of what the government considers an appropriate relationship”.

“Such an introduction will cause a great deal of stress and heartbreak for many,” she said.

Defending the policy during an interview on 2GB, Mr Morrison said the policy was “pro-migrant but it’s also pro-Australia.”

“They don’t have to pass the test before they come into Australia but once they get here they have to make a reasonable effort to learn the language at a basic level,” he said. “It’s not stopping anyone from coming. It’s saying that once you’re here we will support you.”

The cap on partner visas has been increased to 72,300 for the 2020-21 financial year, up from 47,000, with priority given to onshore applicants or their partners who live in designated regional areas.

Australia’s net overseas migration is expected to fall into negative levels for the first time since World War II with a loss of 72,000 people forecast for this financial year, budget papers revealed.