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19/12/2024

482 VISA APPLICATION CHARGES (VAC) WILL BE INCREASED ON 01 FEBRUARY 2025

The one-off 14.75% increase to the VAC for the 485 visa supports the Australian Government’s approach to delivering managed, sustainable migration growth and restoring integrity in the international education sector. It is intended that CPI indexation amendments will be made in subsequent years.

New charges for an initial:
- 485 visa primary applicant is increased to $2,235 (from $1,945),
- for secondary applicants over 18 to $1,115 (from $975) and
- for those under 18 to $560 (from $490).

The charges will also be increased for subsequent 485 visa in the Post‑Higher Education Work stream.

08/12/2024

482 SKILLS IN DEMAND STARTED ON 07/12/2024

482 Temporary Skill Shortage visa was replaced with 482 Skills in Demand visa on 07/12/2024. The main differences between those two visas are:

- Medium term and Short term streams were repealed
- there is a new Specialist Skills stream for occupations in ANZSCO major group 1, 2, 4, 5, 6 and a minimum salary of $135,000 pa.
- there is a new Core Skills stream for positions with salaries above $73,150 that are not eligible for Specialist Skills stream. The nominated occupation must be on CSOL (Core Skills Occupation List).
- minimum English language requirement of IELTS 5.0 in all bands or equivalent
- work experience requirement was reduced from 2 years to 1 year but it needs to be 1 year full time equivalent in the last 5 years before the application lodgement
- the temporary residency transition pathway after 2 years of sponsored employment (it does not have to be with 1 sponsor)

There is also good news for child care workers including OSHC workers who have been added on CSOL list of 482 and 186 Direct Entry visa.

Cooks will be happy to hear that they are also eligible for 186 Direct Entry as well.

On the other hand, chefs are not eligible for 482/186DE visa unless international trade obligations apply.

These changes apply to applications lodged after 06/12/2024 only. Previously lodged applications are not affected by these changes.

03/12/2024

Skills in Demand Visa (SID) To Be Introduced on 07 December 2024

So we were wrong, we expected the new SID visa at some time early next year after the new legislation gets passed. The Department of Home Affairs, however, announced today that SID visa will replace 482 visa on 07 December 2024.

The new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) was also released and will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa and also to 186 Direct Entry stream visa.

CSOL: https://visa.ozhome.info/legislation-_-policy/2024/core-skills-occupation-list-december-2024

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1269

The new Regulations introducing SID have not been released yet.

02/12/2024

Skills in Demand Visa Replacing 482 Temporary Skill Shortage Unlikely to Be Introduced in 2024

The Australian government passed several significant pieces of legislation during the final parliamentary sitting week of the year last week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TALQ9FGV4Cs

As of December 2, 2024, the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Sponsorship and Nomination Processes) Bill 2024 has not yet been passed by the Australian Parliament. The legislation is necessary to introduce a Skills in Demand Visa. Consequently, the current 482 TSS visa is likely to be in place until at least next Parliamentary sitting https://www.pmc.gov.au/resources/parliamentary-sittings

The progress of the bill can be tracked on the Australian Parliament's website:

https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_LEGislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r7224

Helpful information Text of bill First reading: Text of the bill as introduced into the Parliament Third reading: Prepared if the bill is amended by the house in which it was introduced. This version of the bill is then considered by the second house. As passed by

11/10/2024

ANZSCO is changing to OSCA

The Australian Bureau of Statistics and Statistics New Zealand announced, that while maintaining comparability, each country will introduce their own tailored occupational statistical classifications.

This is likely to have an impact on Australian skilled occupation lists. The change is expected on Friday 6 December 2024.

More info:
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/anzsco-change

https://www.abs.gov.au/about/consultation-and-conferences/updating-anzsco/about-osca

Learn more about the Occupation Standard Classification for Australia (OSCA) and how it relates to ANZSCO.

29/07/2024

Migrant Justice Institute - Temporary migrant work Survey

The Migrant Justice Institute have just launched an important national survey to improve working conditions for migrants and international students in Australia, and prevent modern slavery.

The survey also provides migrants with important information about their rights at work and referrals to support services.

The surveys shift the dial on migrant worker issues in Australia. Previous surveys led to new world-first visa protections for exploited migrants who take action to enforce their rights at work, and new migrant legal services. This survey's findings will drive the next 5 years of change.

There are $10,000 of prizes up for grabs.

The online survey is anonymous, takes 10-15 minutes, and is available in Mandarin, Nepali, Spanish, Arabic and Tamil. The survey closes 31 August. You can take the survey here: https://unsw.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a63wawGjYmYUjdQ

30/06/2024

01 JULY 2024 VISA APPLICATION CHARGES

The changes were released overnight. New charges of selected visas are as follows (a primary applicant):

- 600 Visitor onshore $490, offshore $195
- 500 student visa $1,600
- 485 graduate visa (first) $1,945
- 462 WHV $650
- 801/309 Partner $9,095
- 300 Prospective marriage $9,095
- 482 Temporary Skill Shortage - short term stream $1,495
- 482 Temporary Skill Shortage - medium term stream $3,115
- 186 Employer nomination scheme $4,770
- 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) $4,770
- 189 Skilled independent $4,765
- 190 State nominated $4,770
- 491 Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) $4,770
- 020 Bridging visa B $185

21/06/2024

Visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 are changing - 01 July 2024

​​​From 1 July 2024, visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 are changing in response to the Australian Governments Migration Strategy.

Holders of 457/482/494 visas who stop working with their sponsoring employer will have more time to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or arrange to depart Australia. These visa holders will have up to:

- 180 days at a time, or
- a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.

During this time, visa holders can work for other employers. This includes work in occupations not listed in their most recently approved sponsorship nomination.

Unless exempt, a visa holder cannot work for another employer unless they have ceased work with their sponsoring employer. Visa holders must remain in their nominated occupation while working for their existing sponsor.

The changes apply to existing visa holders, as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024. Any periods a visa holder stopped working for their sponsor before 1 July 2024 will not count towards the new time periods outlined above.

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1213

13/06/2024

UK citizens will be exempted from specified Subclass 417 work - 01 July 2024

British Citizens or British Nationals (Overseas) will not need to undertake 3/6 months specified work to be able to get 2nd/3rd WHV from 01 July 2024.

Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L00661/asmade/text

13/06/2024

TRIBUNAL FEES TO INCREASE ON 01 JULY 2024

Application fee – review of decisions other than decisions relating to protection visas $3,496.00

Application fee – review of Part 7-reviewable decisions relating to protection visas $2,151.00

Source: https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2024G00340/asmade/text

12/06/2024

Ending ‘visa hopping’ - A Massive change might be coming on 01 July 2024

Source: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/ClareONeil/Pages/ending-visa-hopping-migration-system.aspx

On 1 July 2024, the Albanese Government is taking another step.

Firstly, Visitor Visa holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. This measure closes a pathway that has been used to attempt to subvert the Government’s strengthened offshore student visa integrity measures.

Secondly, Temporary Graduate Visa (485) holders will not be able to apply for Student Visas onshore. This change makes it clear that graduates should be finding skilled jobs and becoming permanent residents, or departing the country when they are more likely to become ‘permanently temporary’.

28/05/2024

TSMIT INCREASING TO $73,150.00 FROM 1 JULY 2024

The minumum salary for employer sponsored workers will increase from $70,000 to $73,150 on 01 July 2024.

More info: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1205

14/05/2024

BUDGET 2024-25 INFORMATION (IMMI RELATED)

Source: https://budget.gov.au/content/bp2/index.htm

There are many measures to be implemented, those below were selected as of our particular interest:

482 VISA (MIGHT BE RENAMED)
The Government will also reduce the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa from two years to one year for all applicants from 23 November 2024 onwards.

GLOBAL TALENT VISA WILL CEASE
The Government will implement a new National Innovation visa, replacing the current Global Talent visa (subclass 858) from late 2024, to target exceptionally talented migrants who will drive growth in sectors of national importance.

188/888 VISA WILL CEASE
The Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will cease, with refunds of the visa application charge provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their BIIP application. The measure includes $1.4 million in 2024–25 for necessary system changes for the implementation of a new visa and closure of the BIIP.

WHV China, Vietnam and India
The Government will introduce a visa pre-application (ballot) process for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China, Vietnam and India from 2024–25. The ballot process will help to manage program demand and application processing times for these countries. A ballot charge of $25 (indexed to the Consumer Price Index in future years) will apply.

MATES and Business Visitor visa for INDIA
The Government will implement a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) program for Indian nationals from 1 November 2024. MATES will provide a new mobility pathway for 3,000 Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18 to 30 years at the time of application), with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The visa will have a pre-application (ballot) charge of $25 and an application charge of $365, both of which will be indexed to the consumer price index in future years. This measure is part of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA). As part of the MMPA, the Government also lengthened the validity of the Visitor visa (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream for Indian nationals from up to three years to up to five years.

09/05/2024

Increase to the Financial Capacity Requirement for Student and Student Guardian visas - 10 MAY 2024

From 10 May 2024, the amount of money that Student and Student Guardian visa applicants need to have to be eligible for the visa is increasing.

More info: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1196

26/04/2024

485 GRADUATE VISA CHANGES FROM 01 JULY 2024

Source: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/temporary-graduate-485/changes

Graduate Work stream
- The Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
- The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under (HK & BNO passport holders until under 50 years).
- Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
- Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications, they must apply through the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- Applicants may continue to stay for up to 18 months.
- Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Study Work stream
- The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
- The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under (HK & BNO passport holders until under 50 years).
- The ‘select degree’ 2 year extension will cease.
- Stay periods will change to the following:

Bachelor degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.
Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Second Post-Study Work stream
The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream.

Replacement stream
The Replacement stream will cease.

03/04/2024

491 NSW - NSW Government Announces a Change Under Pathway 1

Previously, applicants for Pathway 1 were required to have been living and working in a designated regional area of NSW for at least 12 months with a single regional NSW-based employer, among other requirements.

Applicants must now be currently living and working in a designated regional area of NSW and have continuously done so for the past 6 months, instead of the previous 12 months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1.

Source:

Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) A provisional visa for points tested skilled workers to live and work in regional NSW. Common Questions About Skilled VisasAustralian Department of Home Affairs About NSW Nomination NSW nomination for this visa allows skilled migrants to live, work and study...

24/03/2024

LEGISLATION CHANGES 23 MARCH 2024

STUDENT VISAS
- GTE requirement was changed to a genuine student requirement
- more info: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500/genuine-student-requirement
- English language proficiency requirements were increased: https://www.legislation.gov.au/F2024L00366/asmade/text

GRADUATE VISAS
- in general, the minimum score required increases from IELTS 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent) with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening)

Australia’s Engagement in the Pacific
- new legislation to conduct a visa pre‑application process (ballot), involving the random selection of registered participants who will then be permitted to lodge an application for a relevant visa https://www.legislation.gov.au/C2023A00086/asmade/text
- the Regulations prescribe an amount of AUD25 as the charge for registration as a registered participant in a ballot for the new Pacific Engagement visa.
- a new visa sublass 192 Pacific Engagement - The Pacific Engagement visa will provide access to permanent residence in Australia for citizens of a number of Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste, and members of their family units. Inclusion of countries in the program will be on the basis of consultation and agreement between Australia and eligible countries.

PALM SCHEME
- to commence a pilot to allow family members of certain long-term workers participating in the PALM scheme to travel to and live in Australia on a temporary basis.

CORE SKILLS OCCUPATION LIST CONSULTATIONS
- Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has opened consultation on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This JSA consultation refers to the Core Skills pathway for occupations being paid a median salary above $70,000 and below $135,000. The consultation information may be accessed on the JSA website https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/topics/migration-strategy/draft-core-skills-occupations-list-csol-consultation

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

18/03/2024

GTE TO BE REPLACED WITH GENUINE STUDENT REQUIREMENT (GS)

Home Affairs sent an email to Education providers highlighting changes to the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for student visas.

The new GS requirement, in line with recently announced Migration Strategy, will have target questions that will provide decision makers with an overview of the applicant and their reasons for wanting to study in Australia.

The GS requirement is planned, as per this email, to commence for student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024. Student visa application lodged before 23 March 2024 will be assessed according to existing arrangements. - GTE

The GTE requirement will be retained for Student Guardian visa applications.