Immigration laws will be softened to include migrants with disabilities.
Under a new “net benefit” approach, migrants will be considered more on their merit to the community, rather than the cost of their healthcare in Australia, Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said.
“This will mean an individual’s health costs can be offset by the benefit their family will bring to Australian society,” Mr Bowen said in a statement.
Under the old system, migrants with disabilities were usually rejected when applying for permanent residency, irrespective of whether they were self-sufficient or had family members to support them.
The decision comes nearly a year after Mr Bowen intervened to stop a blind social worker being denied permanent residency. Simran Kaur, 32, was granted residency following a two-year battle.
“I’m very happy with the changes,” Ms Kaur told The Age, “It has taken a while but we’ve achieved what we were fighting for.
“It’s going to have a great impact. We don’t want anything special.
“What we want is a fair chance. If we are able and capable and we fulfil all the other criteria, we should not be discriminated against.”
Under the new measures, the government will increase the cost threshold of disabled person’s healthcare bill, from $21,000 to $35,000 to be classed as a significant burden and be rejected.
The new system will come into affect on July 1 next year.