Key Updates to Australia Migration 2024-25

As we enter the new financial year on 1 July, significant updates to Australian migration and visa policies are coming into effect. Here’s a breakdown of the major changes you should know about:

1. Increased Flexibility for Work Visa Holders

Starting 1 July 2024, the Government will introduce significant but very positive changes to visa conditions (8107, 8607, and 8608). These updates are part of the Australian Government’s efforts to combat worker exploitation and improve productivity.

These changes provide more flexibility for temporary work visa holders.

Affected Visas

The changes apply to:

• Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (Subclass 457)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (Subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (Subclass 494)

What’s New?

Visa holders who stop working for their sponsor will now have up to 180 days at a time (or a maximum of 365 days across the entire visa period) to find a new sponsor or arrange other visa options. This is a substantial increase from the current limit (i.e. 60 consecutive days).

During these periods, visa holders can work for other employers, even in occupations other than those listed on their most recent nomination. However, visa holders must stick to work that aligns with any licenses or registration needed for their nominated occupation.

These changes affect both existing visa holders and those granted a visa from 1 July 2024 onwards.

Importantly, any days not working prior to this date won’t count towards the 365-day total.

What’s Next? Upcoming Changes

Starting on 23 November 2024, the Government plans to simplify the Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) process by reducing the required work experience. Currently, Subclass 482 TSS visa applicants need two years of full-time work experience in their occupation or a related field to satisfy visa requirements. However, with the proposed changes, this requirement will drop to just one year.

Do keep in mind, though, that if you don’t have a formal qualification, you might need additional work experience to make up for it. The amount of extra experience required can vary based on your qualifications, the position’s skill level, and how recent your work experience is.

This change is still subject to Parliament’s approval, but it’s definitely something to look forward to if you’re planning to apply for a TSS visa in late 2024.

2. TSMIT Increase

Starting from 1 July 2024, the TSMIT increases from $70,000 to $73,150.

This adjustment is crucial for businesses and workers involved with the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482), Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Subclass 494), and Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186) visas.

What This Means for Employers and Nominees

The new threshold means that from 1 July 2024, all new nomination applications for the above visa categories must ensure that nominees receive an annual salary of at least $73,150, or the annual market salary rate for their occupation, whichever is higher. This change is intended to reflect the evolving economic conditions and ensure that overseas skilled workers are compensated fairly compared to their Australian counterparts.

Impact on Current and Future Visa Applications

Applications lodged before the 1 July 2024 cutoff will not be affected by this increase. These will continue to be assessed based on the TSMIT and market salary rates applicable at the time of application submission.

3. International Graduates

The Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) visa program will undergo big changes starting on 1 July 2024.

New Names, New Rules

The Australian Government is reshaping the Temporary Graduate visa into two distinct streams:

• Post-Vocational Education Work Stream (previously the Graduate Work stream):
  • If you’ve earned an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification, this is your stream.
  • Your qualification must match an occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Post-Higher Education Work Stream (previously the Post-Study Work stream):
  • This stream is for you if your qualification is at the degree level or higher.
  • The list of specified degrees has also been updated and includes bachelor’s degree, bachelor’s honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma, master’s degree (research), master’s degree (coursework), master’s degree (extended), doctoral degree (research), doctoral degree (professional), or higher doctoral degree.
  • The old restrictions for visas granted before 5 November 2011 are going away, making it simpler for recent graduates.

Age and Stay Changes

The maximum age for both streams is changing to 35 at the time of application, except for Hong Kong and British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders and Masters (research) or PhD graduates, who can apply until age 50.

Stay Duration:

• Bachelor’s degrees: Up to 2 years (3 years for first-class honours in STEM under the AI-ECTA agreement with India).
• Masters (all types) and PhDs: Up to 3 years, with PhDs from India eligible for up to 4 years.
• Hong Kong and BNO passport holders: Up to 5 years regardless of qualification.

Streamlining Visa Options

The Replacement stream will be discontinued.

The Second Post-Study Work Stream will transition to the Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream, but no other changes will affect this category.

The Skilled Recognised Graduate (Subclass 476) will no longer be available from 1st July.

These updates aim to ensure that Australia continues to attract skilled graduates who can contribute to the economy.

4. Restricting Onshore Student Visa Applications

The Federal Government is tightening the rules around student visas to maintain the integrity of its education system and ensure that only genuine students benefit from opportunities to contribute to the country’s economic growth.

Who’s Affected?

The following visa holders will be impacted by the new rules and will need to apply for a student visa from outside Australia:

• Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485)
• Visitor (Subclass 600)
• Electronic Travel Authority (Subclass 601)
• Medical Treatment (Subclass 602)
• eVisitor (Subclass 651)
• Transit (Subclass 771)
• Maritime Crew (Subclass 988)
• Diplomatic Temporary (Subclass 995) – Primary visa holders only
• Temporary Work (International Relations) (Subclass 403) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular (Subclass 426)

These changes aim to limit the practice of “permanently temporary” residents—former international students who continually extend their temporary status in Australia.

What This Means for Potential Students

Temporary Graduate Visa holders should plan to either leave Australia upon their visa’s expiry or seek employment and visa pathways that could lead to permanent residency.

Visitor Visa holders who intend to study must apply for their student visas before arriving in Australia.

These measures are designed to streamline the process, ensuring that the student visa program enhances Australia’s educational offerings and economic growth.

Those planning to study in Australia should prepare to meet these new requirements by applying from outside the country.

5. New Visa Application Charges (VAC Increase)

​​​​Starting on 1 July 2024, new visa application charges apply.

The new charges apply to all visa applications received by the Department on or after 1 July 2024. The amendments aim to implement the annual indexation of VACs in line with the forecast Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the 2024-25 Budget Decision Visa Application Charge Uplift.

Here’s a brief overview of some of the most popular subclasses:

Our VAC Search (only subscribers) has been fully updated with the new charges to facilitate your search for visa subclass processing fees.

6. Other Important Updates

• Legacy 457 Visa Holder Age Exemption.

After 30 June 2024, the age exemption that allows Subclass 457 visa holders over 45 to apply for permanent residency under the ENS program (Subclass 186), will no longer be available.

• Closure of Provisional Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 188) Visa.

From July 2024, no new applications will be accepted for this visa. However, current visa holders may continue to transition to the Permanent Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 888) visa, ensuring continuity for existing business migrants.

• Work and Holiday Visa for Filipino Nationals.

Filipino nationals can now apply for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa, facilitating cultural exchange and work opportunities for young adults.

• Prospective Marriage (Subclass 300) and Partner Visa Updates.

Prospective Marriage visa applications can now be granted onshore, a significant shift from the previous requirement to apply from offshore. Additionally, requirements such as being sponsored at the time of decision-making have been removed under certain conditions, such as the death of a sponsor, child of the relationship provisions, or experiences of family violence. Amended language in the legislation now allows for a broader application of family violence provisions, focusing on those who have ‘experienced’ rather than ‘suffered’ family violence, thus broadening the support available under traumatic circumstances.

• New Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Western Australia.

The new WA DAMA will be the fifth DAMA for the state, complementing the existing DAMAs in the Goldfields, Kimberley, Pilbara, and South West regions. Read more