OZ Home Migration MARN 1464306

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.

18/02/2024

MATES VISA FOR INDIA (Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme)

On 23 May 2023, Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA). The MMPA is a bilateral framework that supports and promotes two-way migration and mobility between our two countries while addressing issues pertaining to illegal and irregular migration.

MATES will be open to Indian nationals who:

- are aged 30 or younger (inclusive) at the time of application;
- have not previously participated in MATES;
- have proficient English language skills (overall IELTS or equivalent score of at least 6, with a minimum score of 5 for each of the four parts);
- have graduated within 2 years from an eligible educational institution at the time of application; and
- hold a qualification (Bachelor’s degree or higher) in one of the following: renewable energy, mining , engineering, Information Communications Technology (ICT), artificial intelligence (AI) , financial technology (FinTech), agricultural technology (AgriTech).

Source:

Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Emergency Management.​​​

25/01/2024

408 COVID VISA TO BE CLOSED ON 01 FEBRUARY 2024

The Government announced on 31 August 2023 that the Pandemic event visa will close to all applicants from February 2024. The legislation has been registered to implement this change. The last day when a covid visa can be applied for is 31 January 2024.

Source:

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11/12/2023

A Migration Strategy for Australia Published - 11 DECEMBER 2023

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/what-we-do/migration-strategy

Some future changes include:

SKILLS IN DEMAND VISA
- to Develop a new Skills in Demand visa, with full mobility and pathways to permanent residence - a new 4-year temporary skilled worker visa. The simpler and better targeted Skills in Demand visa will replace the complex single employer sponsored Temporary Skill Shortage.
- If the employment relationship with a sponsor ceases, visa holders will have 180 days to find another sponsor and can work during this period.
- A public register of approved sponsors, including the number of migrants sponsored and their occupations, will be developed to assist migrants wishing to find a new sponsor.
- The work experience requirement for a Temporary Skills Shortage visa (and future Skills in Demand visa) will be changed

- three targeted pathways:

1. Specialist Skills Pathway
• in any occupation except trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers
• earning at least $135,000 (the Specialist Skills Threshold) and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.
• 7 days median visa processing time

2. Core Skills Pathway
- occupation is on a new Core Skills Occupation List
- will be paid a salary at or above the TSMIT (to be retitled the Core Skills Threshold, when the new system is implemented), or the relevant average market salary where it is above the TSMIT.

3. Essential Skills Pathway
- a more regulated pathway for lower paid workers with essential skills
- These arrangements would be sectorspecific, capped, embedded with stronger regulation and minimum standards and subject to further advice from Jobs and Skills Australia and its tripartite mechanisms.

POINTS TESTED VISA
- In the design of a new and simpler points test, the Government will ensure there are clear and fair pathways for temporary skilled sponsored migrant workers to apply for self-nominated pathways to permanent residence.
- The reformed points test will also seek to better reward skill level over perseverance, which will mean for example, faster pathways for international student graduates who are working in skilled jobs in the labour market, but fewer pathways for graduates not working in skilled jobs.

NEW TALENT AND INNOVATION VISA
A new Talent and Innovation visa could create a single, streamlined pathway to attract relatively small numbers of highly talented migrants to Australia, such as high performing entrepreneurs, major investors and global researchers.

STUDENT VISA
- the test score required for a Student visa will increase from IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5 to 6.0
- the test score required for students undertaking an English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) before their main course of study will increase from IELTS (or equivalent) 4.5 to 5.0
- the test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training will be IELTS (or equivalent) 5.5.
- a new Genuine Student test for all international students
- This test will replace the existing Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement to acknowledge that post-study temporary migration (and beyond) pathways are available for those who may be eligible.
- The Government will restrict Temporary Graduate visa holders from transferring back to student visas while onshore

GRADUATE VISA
- The maximum eligible age for a TGV will be reduced to 35 (from 50)
- the test score required for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score (or equivalent) of 6.0 to 6.5

- The duration of an initial TGV will be shorter.
- The extension of post-study work rights will no longer be available. Only applicants who studied in a regional area will be eligible for an extension.
TGV length under new settings:
Initial TGV
• 2 years for Bachelor Degree
• 2 years Masters by coursework
• 3 years for Masters by research
• 3 years for PhD
Eligibility for a second TGV
• + 1–2 years for study in a regional area (dependent on location)

- TGV streams will be re-named as ‘Post-higher Education Work’ and ‘Post-Vocational Education Work’ streams to be more descriptive for the relevant applicants. The ‘Replacement Stream’ of the TGV and the subclass 476 visa will be abolished.
- Proposed reforms to the points test will also give graduates working in skilled jobs faster pathways to permanent residency.

REGIONAL MIGRATION
- The Government will immediately alter Ministerial Direction 100 to make visa processing for migrants sponsored by employers in regional Australia its top visa processing priority
- Reformed the PALM scheme, and delivering a new Pacific Engagement Visa to encourage more mobility from our region

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.

24/11/2023

SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION CHANGES 25 NOVEMBER 2023

Expanding Access to Temporary Residence Transition Stream) - the legislation was changed to:
- expand access to the TRT streams of the Subclass 186 or 187 visas for all holders of SC 482 and SC 457 visas, regardless of the stream in which their visa is held
- reduce the length of the eligibility period that is required for approval of a nomination in the TRT stream eligibility period to 2 years in 3 years
- remove the requirement for the occupation identified in the nomination to be on the relevant skilled occupation list, ensuring that applicants under the TRT stream are not disadvantaged if their occupation is removed from the relevant occupation list
- allow all employers including parties to a work agreement who sponsored a worker under a labour agreement, to make a nomination under the TRT stream (as long as the nominated occupation is in ANZSCO)

482 Visa Change - the legislation was changed to remove the limit on the number of Subclass 482 visa applications in the Short term stream that can be made in Australia

Covid-19 Concession Period Ends - 25 November 2023 is the end day of the concession period introduced by the former Government on 19 September 2020, during which time various concessions in relation to visas were provided as a response to the COVID-19 Pandemic. More info: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1147

Location Requirements for Grant of Visas 820/309/485 - the legislation was changed to:
- provide flexibility to 820/309/485 visa applicants by allowing them to be either in or outside Australia at the time of visa grant, recognising the mobility of modern travellers who may have moved locations before a visa is granted.
- provide 309 Partner visa applicants the ability to apply for merits review in their own right

OVERALL POSITIVE CHANGES!

Find out about Australian visas, immigration and citizenship.