Open World Immigration

09/06/2025

📢 Important Update for Skilled Visa Applicants and Employer Sponsors

From 1 July 2025, the Australian Government will increase key income thresholds for skilled visa programs by 4.6%. These thresholds are used to assess eligibility for various employer sponsored visa pathways and ensure overseas workers are paid fairly.

The new income thresholds will be:

Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT): $76,515

Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT): $141,210

What this means for you:

✔️ Employers must ensure the nominated position offers a salary at or above the updated thresholds to be eligible for sponsorship under programs like the subclass 482, subclass 494 and subclass 186 visas.

✔️ If you advertised the position for less but plan to submit the application for nomination after 1 July, check if you need to advertise the position again.

Don't lose your opportunity to sponsor or be sponsored because of "small" mistakes. Get in touch if you need tailored advice.

02/06/2025

TSS Visa Holders: Can You Work Outside Australia???

If you hold a Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa (subclass 482), condition 8607 applies to your work while you are in Australia. This condition means you must only work in the job you were nominated for and only for your approved sponsor.

However, Can you also work overseas?

You can undertake work outside Australia, as long as that overseas work is not connected to business activities in Australia.

But be careful. If you spend a substantial amount of time working overseas, the Department of Home Affairs may question whether you are still genuinely performing the role you were nominated for in Australia. If they believe your position is no longer genuine, your visa may be considered for cancellation under immigration regulations.

Stay informed and protect your visa status. Talk to us if needed.

25/04/2025

✈️ Travelling to Australia? Be careful what you pack. 🧳

Bringing prohibited or restricted items into Australia—even by mistake—can have serious consequences, including visa cancellation and deportation.

Many travelers don’t realise that certain everyday items, gifts, souvenirs, or personal belongings may be banned or require a permit. This includes:

🔹 Certain foods and herbal medicines
🔹 Animal products or plant material
🔹 Fi****ms an weapons or items that look like that (including self-defence sprays)
🔹 Fake designer goods
🔹 Cultural artefacts or souvenirs made from protected wildlife

If you’re unsure whether something is allowed, don’t guess. Always check first or declare it on arrival. Not declaring items can lead to fines, visa issues, or being refused entry to Australia.

📌 Learn more in this informative and detailed website:
👉 https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/overview

Australia takes border security seriously—protect your visa and your future visits by following these rules.

Our mission is to protect Australia’s border and enable legitimate travel and trade.

10/04/2025

07/04/2025

Struggling to Find a Permanent Visa Pathway? DAMA Might Be Your Solution

Are you a café supervisor, restaurant supervisor, barista, bar attendant, waiter, tour guide, deckhand, forklift driver, retail supervisor, or another skilled worker without a clear pathway to permanent residency in Australia?

Many occupations that don’t traditionally qualify for permanent visas can still access sponsorship opportunities through a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA).

What is DAMA?
DAMAs are agreements between the Australian Government and regional, state, or territory authorities. They allow businesses in designated regions to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for positions that cannot be filled locally. DAMAs also offer flexibility on visa requirements, including minimum salaries, age limits, skill levels, and English proficiency.

What This Means for Employers & Skilled Workers:
✅ Employers in DAMA regions can access a broader range of occupations and recruit international workers where skills shortages exist.
✅ Skilled workers who do not have a standard employer-sponsored visa pathway may be eligible for sponsorship through DAMA.

To apply under DAMA, you’ll need an employer offer or sponsorship. If you’ve been struggling to find a way to stay in Australia permanently, this could be the opportunity you’ve been looking for. Employers should explore whether DAMA applies in their region to secure the workforce they need.

Want to learn more about DAMA opportunities in your field or region? Reach out for more details.

04/04/2025

Employers & Skilled Workers: Get Ready for Skilled Visa Income Threshold Increases from 1 July 2025

Are you an employer looking to sponsor skilled workers? Or an international professional planning to apply for a skilled visa? Here’s what you need to know about upcoming changes to skilled visa income thresholds.

From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will increase by 4.6%, in line with changes to the Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). These changes will apply to new nomination applications lodged from this date—not to existing visa holders or nominations submitted before 1 July 2025.
Key Updates:

✅ Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from $73,150 to $76,515, impacting the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) & the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186)

✅ Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from $135,000 to $141,210, impacting the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482)

✅ Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from $73,150 to $76,515, impacting the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494)

New nomination applications from 1 July 2025 must meet the updated threshold or the annual market salary rate—whichever is higher.

Employers should plan ahead to ensure compliance with the new salary requirements, and skilled workers should be aware of the changes when considering visa options. If you’re in the process of applying, lodging before 1 July 2025 may allow you to meet current thresholds.

Do not hesitate to contact us for further information.

02/04/2025

Thinking About Applying for a 186 Visa? Here’s Some Good News

Were you worried about meeting the work experience requirement for a Subclass 186TRT visa? A major change has made the process more flexible.

Previously, applicants needed to have worked with the same employer for at least two years in the three years before transitioning to visa 186TRT. This requirement often created challenges, especially for those who changed employers while on a 482 visa.

The Department has now confirmed that employment periods between the lodgement of a new nomination after the initial 482 visa was granted and its approval can count towards meeting the work requirement for a 186TRT visa. This means skilled workers who transition between sponsors will not be disadvantaged when applying for permanent residency.

This update provides more certainty and flexibility for those on the pathway to PR, ensuring that changes in employment don’t set them back.

If you're considering applying for a 186 visa, it’s important to understand how these changes might benefit you - contact is today.

31/03/2025

Did You Leave Your Employer While Holding a 482 or 494 Visa? Here’s What You Need to Know!

If you stopped working for your sponsor and your new employer has lodged a nomination application, but it hasn’t been approved yet, you may have been worried about your work rights.

Until now, visa holders in this situation faced uncertainty. The 180-day timeframe under Condition 8607(5) or 8608(5) meant they could be left without work rights if their nomination wasn’t finalised in time.

The good news: The Department has confirmed that Subclass 482 and Subclass 494 visa holders in this situation do not need to stop working for their prospective employer, even if the required timeframes have lapsed.

This means you are no longer at risk of being disadvantaged by nomination processing delays. You can continue working while waiting for the outcome of your nomination, ensuring financial stability and continuity in your career.

If you have questions about your visa situation, it’s always best to stay informed and seek advice to ensure compliance. Do not hesitate to contact us!

09/12/2024

Updates for the Subclass 186 Visa!
Here's some great news for those eyeing permanent residency in Australia. The Subclass 186 Visa, which allows employers to nominate skilled overseas workers for permanent residency, has some new and improved features:
Pathway to Permanent Residency: All sponsored employment now counts towards work experience requirements for permanent residency.
Streams Available: The visa includes TRT, Direct Entry, and Labour Agreement streams.
Direct Entry Stream: Now uses the Core Skills Occupation List, reflecting current labour market conditions.
Expanded Access: SID visa holders across all streams can now access the TRT stream of the Subclass 186 visa.
Flexibility in Work Experience: Includes changes in occupation, such as promotions or working in related fields.
Salary Requirements: Linked to SID visa salary requirements to ensure consistency.
These changes make it easier and clearer for temporary skilled workers (Subclass 457, TSS, and SID visa holders) to transition to permanent residency.

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to reach out with any questions!

08/12/2024

More Features of the New Skills in Demand (SID) Visa!

The new SID Visa, which replaced the TSS Visa on 7 December 2024, has some new features worth noting:

English Language Requirement: Similar to the TSS visa's medium-term stream, you'll need a score of level IELTS 5 overall, with a minimum of 5 in each component (or equivalent scores in another eligible test).

Work Experience Requirement: Now just one year of full-time work (or equivalent part-time/casual work) within the five years before applying.

Financial Capacity Requirements: Ensures employers don’t inflate salaries to gain access to the Specialist Skills stream, aiming to maintain fair and genuine salary standards.

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to ask any questions!

07/12/2024

More Updates on the New Skills in Demand (SID) Visa!
Starting from today, 7 December 2024, the new Skills in Demand (SID) Visa is replacing the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa. Here's a quick rundown of the three streams under the SID Visa:

Specialist Skills Stream: For applicants earning $135,000+ in certain high-demand occupations (excluding trades, machinery operators, and labourers). This new stream acknowledges the significant economic benefits of highly skilled migrants.

Core Skills Stream: For applicants earning over $73,150 in occupations identified as essential through labour market analysis.

Labour Agreement Stream: Continues from the TSS Visa, with further developments coming for the Essential Skills Stream.

This new visa structure aims to better meet Australia's skills needs and provide clear pathways to permanent residency. Exciting times ahead for anyone looking to work and live in Australia!

Stay tuned for more updates!

06/12/2024

Massive Changes for Work Visas in Australia!
Big news for those interested in working in Australia: the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) Visa will be replaced by the new Skills in Demand Visa (SID) starting from tomorrow, 7 December 2024. This new visa aims to better address Australia's skills needs and provides skilled migrant workers with more mobility and a clearer path to permanent residency.

Key highlights:
Launch Date: 7 December 2024
New Occupation List: A fresh list of eligible occupations is now available for the new visa. Find it here -https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/Documents/core-sol.pdf
If your occupation is not on this list, you may still be eligible for the Specialist Skills stream, subject to meeting income requirements, or the Labour Agreement stream of the SID visa.
Easier Transition to Permanent Residency: Applicants can count all periods of sponsored employment towards permanent residency.
Reduced Work Experience Requirement: Now only 1 year of full-time work experience needed (down from 2 years).

Stay tuned for more updates and feel free to ask any questions. Exciting times ahead for anyone looking to work Down Under! 🌏🦘