Lucky Aussie residents quietly overcoming 'badly broken' system
Those new to calling Australia home know all too well how 'lucky' they are and want to help.
The process of applying for and becoming an Australian permanent resident (PR) is long, expensive and emotional. As Anthony Albanese vows to review a "badly broken" visa system, introducing student visa caps and 'no further stay' conditions to visitor visas to lessen the strain on the housing crisis, those granted permanent residency know all too well how "lucky" they are.
And, among the noise, immigrants are quietly finding out they will soon be calling Australia home — and they argue they could be part of the housing solution.
Emotions run high for immigrants as visa system reviewed
Franchette Cariaga, 28, from the Philippines and British couple Daisy Ayres and Aaron Davies, both 32, are newly granted permanent residents and were unable to contain their immense emotions while finding out the news, with their reactions caught on camera after enduring long waiting times to hear the fate of their visas.
“It was really nerve-racking, I waited 16 months for my visa and I didn’t know whether I would get it,” Franchette told Yahoo News, admitting it was a "dream come true". Next week she will start a job as an electrical design engineer to help build homes and commercial offices in NSW.
She was at work in the Philippines when she received word of her PR status and was left weeping at her desk. "I didn’t know what to say, I was just crying. I couldn’t believe it, there were so many emotions," she said.
For Daisy and Aaron, it had been a decade-long dream to live in Australia, with Aaron specifically choosing a career in carpentry to put him in the best position to become a PR. Aaron and Daisy, a market manager, jumped with joy last month when they were officially granted the status and plan to live in Queensland.
"It was the best day ever, it means everything," Daisy told Yahoo News.
Immigrants want to be 'part of the solution' in Australia
Admitting it initially sounds counterintuitive, Franchette and Daisy said they both want to be part of the solution to the housing crisis despite immigrants facing scrutiny for contributing to the surging demand for housing. The equivalent of 10,000 migrants are entering the country every week and last year saw record migration rates.
"I can completely understand why people would be concerned about migration, there's a rental crisis and a housing shortage. But Aaron picked carpentry and he's going to help build houses," she said. "We are adding to the problem by taking up accommodation short-term but we're hopefully part of the solution." The pair paid over $14,000 to secure their PR status and "actually contribute to something Aussie society needs".
Franchette is similarly excited to work towards housing construction in the country, paying $13,000 for her visa. She is "feeling quite emotional" about saying goodbye to her family but "knows this is the beginning of a better life for many people".
"Living in Australia will be a real privilege and it is something that I am very proud of," she said.
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