June 8th, 2024 at 04:49 am

5 Major Australia Visa Changes in June 2024 | Australia Visa Update

To close the skills gap, expedite processes, and enhance national security, the Australian government changed its visa regulations. These adjustments are in keeping with Australia’s evolving immigration regulations as well as the nation’s dynamic socioeconomic landscape. We’ll go over five significant changes to visas in June 2024 in this blog post.

1. Australia Visa Allocation Update

185,000 visa slots are set aside for the 2024–25 permanent migration program in addition to a 4-year revision of Australia’s immigration laws. The permanent migration program aims to increase immigration to Australia, meet skill shortages, and strengthen ties to the community and family.

The migration program is divided into three main streams: the 300-slot Special Eligibility Stream, the 52,500-slot Family Stream, which makes up 28% of the program, and the 132,00-slot Skill Stream, which makes up 71% of the program. These visa allotments are meant to support social peace, satisfy labor market demands, and bolster Australia’s economy.

2. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) Rises to $73,500

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase to $73,500 on July 1, 2024, from $70,000. Ensuring that firms reach the new barrier or the yearly market compensation rate, will have an impact on new nomination applications. Before the changes take effect, employers who intend to sponsor a foreign worker must first show that they are attempting to hire local personnel.

Employers must start the LMT process right now if they want to sponsor employees under the current TSMIT. Current Visa holders will not be impacted by this change; instead, those who have already gotten their visa or who had nominations in place before this date will continue to be under the former TSMIT Authority.

3. Australia’s New National Innovation Visa

Australia is to introduce a new National Innovation Visa by year’s end to allow more highly qualified foreigners to visit the country. This new visa will replace the Business Innovation and Investment Visa as well as the Global Talent Visa.

The Australian Department of Home Affairs issued a statement announcing that the introduction of the new National Innovation Visa has resulted in a reduction of the 1,900 BIP visas scheduled for 2023–2024 to 1,000. For the 2024–25 migration plan, 4,000 visas are currently scheduled under the Global Talent Visa program concurrently.

Through this new visa, the Australian government will provide a permanent visa track to the most highly skilled migrants, such as successful company owners, globally recognized scholars and substantial investors.

4. Work Experience Reduction for the TSS Visa

Starting in November 2024, applicants for Subclass 482 Visas will simply require a year’s worth of full-time work experience. This reform will have an impact on the labor agreement stream, the medium-term stream, and the short-term stream. It is crucial to keep in mind that the other skill criterion that is part of the prerequisites for the Subclass 482 Visa does not alter.

Candidates must still have the skills, qualifications, and work history necessary to perform the responsibilities of the designated vocation in light of this modification.

5. TOEFL IBT Re-accepted for Australian Visa Applications

The TOEFL IBT has been reinstated by the Australian Department of Home Affairs as an acceptable English proficiency test for visa categories. This action constitutes a policy reversal, as announced on July 26, 2023, regarding the suspension of TOEFL IBT admission. Results from tests completed before July 26, 2023, are still valid two years following the test date.

For visa purposes, online test versions are not acceptable; instead, exams must be taken at testing locations that have been authorized and secured.