Australia Immigration Bulletin 2024: Australian State Sponsorship Allocations & Arrival of New Visa

The state and territory quotas for the 190 and 491 visas are updated in the most recent immigration news from Australia. Queensland now only receives 600 spaces per Visa, a considerable reduction. On the other hand, the northern territory’s allotment has almost doubled, indicating its goal of drawing in more foreign students.

The ACT and South Australia Visa allocations

1,800 visas total, distributed equally between the 190 and 491 visas, have been allotted to the ACT. The remaining 1,000 spots will go to South Australia, increasing its total to 3,200, which will similarly be split equally between the two visa categories. Additionally, it was stated that Western Australia is the leader in visa expansion.

With 5,000 spots reserved for both the 190 and 491 visas, Western Australia stands out as having experienced the largest rise. This increase puts it in the lead among immigration destinations, almost matching its previous Financial Year’s numbers.

The New Visa Stream: Workplace Justice Visa

The most recent immigration news from Australia mentions the covert introduction of a new Workplace Justice Visa. Holders of this temporary visa are permitted to stay in Australia to take legal action against their employers. Despite the lack of specifics, this is a big step toward safeguarding workers’ rights.

Student Visa Fee Hike

The increase in the student visa price reportedly sparks uproar. There has been a stir with the recent increase in student visa costs. From $710 to $1,600, the charge has increased dramatically, becoming the highest in the world. Although many international students are now contemplating other study destinations instead of Australia, this growth is meant to support several educational initiatives.

Increasing TR Processing Times – A Growing Concern

Temporary resident visa processing times are getting longer, which could be disastrous for those who apply. Skill evaluation delays are now more than 20 months, which puts graduates in danger of having their visas expire before obtaining permanent residence.

Top 10 Australian Immigration Changes Effective July 1

The new Migration Program year (2024–25) begins on July 1, 2024, and there are numerous notable modifications specifically this year. Here are the top ten.

1. Future Increases in Lodgement Fees

Details will be released shortly. It is anticipated that the Department of Home Affairs will raise the filing costs for several visa categories beginning with the next fiscal year. Every July, these costs usually increase by a tiny amount. Significantly, there will be an increase in the fees for Administrative Appeals Tribunal appeals. When additional information becomes available, we’ll keep you informed.

2. An increase in TSMIT and FWHIT

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT), excluding superannuation, will rise to $73,150 as of July 1, 2024. Employers are required to reach this threshold or the Annual Market Salary Rate (AMSR), whichever is higher, as a result of this modification, which affects new nomination applications.

The Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) will also increase to $175,000, which will have an impact on requirements like the minimum wage requirement for the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program and age exemptions for employer-sponsored visas.

3. Modifications to Visa Requirements 8607, 8608, and 8107

Significant changes to visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608 will be enacted by the Australian government on July 1, 2024. These changes will impact those who hold subclass 457 Temporary Work (Skilled) visas, subclass 482 Temporary Skill Shortage visas, and subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visas.

These modifications include stringent adherence to occupation-specific licensing and registration regulations, longer time frames for job transitions, and enhanced sponsor obligations for reporting employment changes. The modifications are intended to improve regulatory compliance, assist visa holders in changing jobs, and promote an equitable and dynamic labor market in Australia.

4. Modifications to the Graduate 485 Visa (and the 476 Visa’s closure)

Beginning on July 1, 2024, the Australian government will alter the Temporary Graduate visa program to match the requirements of modern education and employment. Renaming streams, changing the age restriction, and extending stay times are some of the modifications.

The Post-Vocational Education Work Stream will have particular qualification criteria and an age cap of 35 years (or 50 years for certain passport holders). Updated stay lengths and age restrictions will apply to the Post-Higher Education Work Stream, with certain extensions granted to qualified nationalities.

5. Working Holiday Maker Changes

There will be two major modifications to the Working Holiday visa program:

Philippine nationals are now eligible for the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa.
To receive their second or third Working Holiday visa, citizens of the United Kingdom are no longer required to perform three months of “specified work.”

6. The deadline is drawing near: Holders of Legacy 457 Visas Are Requested to Apply by June 30, 2024, for ENS Subclass 186 Visas

After June 30, 2024, the age exemption will no longer be available to holders of legacy 457 visas who want to apply for employer-sponsored permanent residency through the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa. It is advised that all qualified candidates submit their applications by this deadline.

7. “Strengthening Employer Compliance Act” Infringement Notices

The “Strengthening Employer Compliance Act” (SEC Act) is addressed by the new legislation, which modifies the Migration Regulations. It does away with the reduced penalty levels for first-time infractions and raises the fines due under infringement notices for violations of newly adopted civil penalty provisions under the SEC Act.

Through the imposition of harsher sanctions and the guarantee of uniform enforcement of workplace norms, these revisions seek to increase employer compliance with immigration regulations.

8. Modifications to Graduates and Onshore Visitors’ Eligibility for Student Visas

Holders of Graduate (Subclass 485), Visitor (Subclass 600), and eVisitor/ETA visas will not be able to apply for a Student (Subclass 500) visa while in Australia, effective July 1, 2024. Before entering the nation, they must apply for a student visa from outside of Australia and wait for a response. This modification is a component of the Migration Strategy, which aims to stop people from “visa hopping” into the student visa program.

9. Health Requirement

Hepatitis B Testing Will Become Mandatory for Residents of High-Risk Countries: starting part of their visa health examinations, anyone who is 15 years of age or older and was born in “high-risk” countries for Hepatitis B will be required to get tested for the disease starting of July 1. The purpose of this new regulation is to protect Australia’s health and stop the spread of Hepatitis B.

10. BIIP Closure and National Innovation Visa Introduction in 2024

Effective July 1, 2024, the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) will no longer be accepting new applications. The government’s budget statement mentioned this choice. The Global Talent visa and the BIIP will be replaced by a new National Innovation visa, which is anticipated to be introduced in late 2024.