Australia’s migration system is complicated. It’s heavily influenced by politics and global pressures, which can make it difficult to understand. This often results in lively debates across the dinner table.

But given migration is dominating public discussion at the moment, it’s worth explaining how the system operates so we all have a better understanding of what’s true and what isn’t.

Let’s unpack five common myths about migration in Australia.

Migration is the most debated public policy issue of the current moment, both in Australia and overseas. In this five-part series, we unpack how Australia’s migration system works, both practically and politically, and what its future might look like.

Myth 1: it’s easy to get a visa to Australia

The Australian migration system can be grouped into the following pathways:

skilled visas (both skilled independent and employer sponsored)

The migration program has planning levels per financial year based on each pathway.

Each visa category has very specific and strict requirements. There are very few “loopholes” in the Australian migration system and there is not a lot of flexibility.

The migration framework is a two-stage process where the migrant must meet certain requirements when they apply for the visa and also when the visa is granted.

Each migration pathway has different formal legal requirements. For example, for certain skilled visas, a migrant is required to lodge an “expression of interest” which then ranks their qualification, work experience, English language abilities and other factors and allocates them points. The higher the points, the more likely they are to receive an invitation.

For partner visas, they need........

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