Liz Armijo, a Chilean aged care worker in Perth, faces imminent deportation after residing in Australia for nine years, expressing feelings of betrayal over her treatment as a skilled migrant. Arriving in 2016 on a scholarship to the University of Western Australia, Liz earned a Master’s in Health Science and has since worked tirelessly at Regis Aged Care, even throughout the pandemic. She believed she was on the path to permanent residency when invited to apply for a skilled migrant visa but was devastated to learn her application was rejected due to a minor error regarding the classification of her degree. This mistake led to a decrease in her points score, depriving her of the necessary qualifications for the visa.
While she initially scored high enough to meet the criteria, the revision reduced her points to below the invitation threshold, ultimately resulting in a request for her to leave the country within 35 days. Despite her extensive contributions and dedication to the aged care sector—especially during the critical challenges posed by COVID-19—Liz feels abandoned, stating that her efforts have gone unrecognised. She has spent approximately $80,000 pursuing residency, including costs for her education and numerous visa applications.
Compounding her frustrations, Liz’s access to Medicare was revoked just before her departure date. Although there may still be a chance to apply for another employer-sponsored visa, the prospect of incurring further expenses and delays feels untenable for her. Liz, overwhelmed and disheartened, expressed disbelief at the system’s failure to support those who serve its vulnerable populations. “Australia is an ungrateful country,” she declared, highlighting her disillusionment and sense of loss as she prepares to leave the home she has built over nearly a decade.
The current situation raises broader questions about Australia’s migration policies, especially given Premier Roger Cook’s recent announcement of increased skilled migration pathways, particularly aimed at addressing the severe labour shortage in the aged care sector.
As Liz prepares to depart, her story stands as a poignant reminder of the challenges faced by many skilled migrants caught in bureaucratic oversights, illustrating a disconnect between government strategies and the individual lives impacted by these policies.