Australia Introduces MATES Visa and Key Visa Changes to Expect in 2024

Do you intend to relocate to Australia? The latest changes in Australian immigration are covered in this article, along with the proposed new MATES visa and the heated discussions surrounding the 485 visa age limit. Check if you qualify now that the policy has changed by reading this.

The New MATES Visa

The new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme, or MATES visa, has been announced by the Australian government and is scheduled to go into effect in late 2024. By allowing up to 3,000 Indian university graduates and early career professionals to live and work in Australia for up to two years, this action aims to strengthen the relationship between India and Australia.

Furthermore, this visa is designed to facilitate professional and cultural interchange by offering significant work experience in their area of expertise.

The 485 Visa Age Debate

The decision to reduce the top age limit from 50 to 35 and to reverse side has been the focus of a heated discussion around the 485 Visa age requirement. International students and graduates are concerned about this proposal because they see it as a betrayal of the government’s promise, which could affect their plans to work in Australia after graduation.

The mainstream media has taken an interest in this topic because it highlights the predicament faced by those over 35 who might not be able to obtain a visa, despite their contributions and the shortage of talented workers in many industries. We advise readers to consult one of Mara’s licensed immigration agents.

8 Australia Key Visa Changes to Expect in 2024

The Australian government has announced that starting in 2024, the immigration regulations in the nation will be reorganized. In its migration strategy, the Australian government proposed a few modifications to create a more flexible immigration policy.

Furthermore, the immigration plan was unveiled by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neal at the beginning of December. The policy highlighted several significant measures, the majority of which were focused on foreign education and temporary skilled migration. In 2024, the Australian immigration system will experience the following major changes:

1. Implementation of Stricter Measures and New Visa Categories

The government plans to enact several measures during 2024, one of which will be raising the English language proficiency requirement for student and temporary graduate visas. In addition, this year will see the introduction of a brand-new Visa category for individuals with in-demand talents.

Several previously announced initiatives, such as the introduction of a visa for immigrants from the Pacific region, will soon be put into effect.

2. Future Reform Areas

The government’s policy has identified three areas for potential reform: permanent skilled migration, the Working Holiday Maker program, and regional migration. These components will be considered in 2024 as part of a bigger initiative to improve and reform the country’s immigration system.

3. Managing Net Overseas Migration

The migration strategy aims to address concerns brought out by major research that concluded Australia’s immigration policies were inadequate. The administration intends to reduce net overseas migration from 510,000 in 2022–2023 to 375,000 in the 2023–2024 fiscal year and subsequently to 250,000 in 2024–2025. This is an area of focus for the government.

4. Focus on International Students and Graduates

The strategy also gives priority to students and graduates from other countries, implementing measures including more stringent English language competence requirements and a new authentic student exam to confirm students’ real desire to learn. Furthermore, efforts are underway to establish age restrictions and to tighten and shorten the duration of temporary graduate visas.

5. Pacific Engagement Visa and Protection Visa Processing

The removal of COVID concessions, the development of a new visa intended only for Pacific Islanders, and priority processing for protection visa applicants are some of the previously mentioned initiatives. The Australian government plans to have additional conversations in 2024 on the regulation of lower-paid worker migration and the structure of permanent skilled migration, with a particular emphasis on regional migration and the Working Holiday Maker program. Being fully informed about the updates to the 2024 Visa will help you keep ahead of the game.

6. Restoring Migration to Sustainable Levels

The aim, according to Home Affairs Minister Claire O’Neal, is to return migration to sustainable levels while gradually pursuing institutional reforms. The plan seeks to solve issues such as perpetual temporariness when individuals enter Australia on temporary visas and alter their status regularly.

7. Introduction of Skills In-Demand Visa

The establishment of a new Skills In-Demand Visa, which provides skilled migrants three alternative Pathways and replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa, is a significant development. This is meant to give workers more flexibility, expedite the immigration application process for highly qualified individuals, and open doors for permanent residency.

8. Streamlined Labor Market Testing

The procedure of applying for a visa will be made more uniform across all platforms by streamlining the requirements for particular commitments. According to announcements from the Australian government, labor market testing ads will now be valid for six months instead of four.

Furthermore, the government has said that it is thinking about substituting methods for Jobs and Skills Australia’s reliable and authentic independent verification of labor market needs with employer-conducted labor market testing.