Australia Skills In-demand Visa 2024: What to Expect

The inclusion of a new Skills In-Demand Visa to the Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage Visa is a significant change to the Australian government’s migration strategy, impacting both businesses and skilled visa applicants.

A three-tiered migration system that will classify skilled migrants into a Specialist Core or Essential Skills pathway based on their skill set and salary would be implemented as part of the many modifications to the sponsorship of Temporary Skilled Visas.

Additionally, sponsored workers would have greater flexibility to change jobs and all temporary workers will have pathways to permanent residence. In this post, we’ll discuss what to anticipate from the new Australian visa and draw comparisons with the current Temporary Skills Shortage Visa.

What will the New Skills In-Demand Visa look like?

Three distinct pathways will be available with the Skill In-Demand Visa. The highest tier will receive benefits including accelerated visa processing, and the applicant’s employment and pay will determine whether they are eligible for these pathways.

1. Specialist Skills Pathway

With this new, simplified approach, the Specialist skills pathway will draw in and engage highly capable workers more quickly and easily. Except tradespeople, drivers, laborers, and machine operators, who are required to apply via the core skills pathway. Any candidates in any occupation are eligible for this. Your yearly income must be at least $135,000, and it typically takes seven days for a visa to be processed.

2. Core Skills Pathway

Candidates who meet the requirements and whose occupation is listed on a new, simple core skills occupation list based on data will have access to the Core Skills pathway. To be eligible for this visa, a person must earn at least $70,000 per year.

3. Essential Skills Pathway

For workers with necessary skills but lesser pay, there is a pathway called Essential Skills. This is a more limited route with a visa cap that is most likely sector-specific. Other industries that experience persistent shortages can be eligible for this visa. But for now, the care and support sector is the setting in which it is being investigated.

There are additional requirements for General eligibility for each pathway, such as having an employer sponsor and meeting specific standards for character and health.

How will this Visa compare to the Subclass 482 TSS Visa?

The Australian government’s migration strategy states that the Skills In-Demand Visa and the current Subclass 482 Visa, which is used for employer sponsorship, are comparable.

It will have a 4-year stay validity in Australia, similar to the Subclass 482 TSS Visa, allowing the bearer to stay and work in Australia for a maximum of 4 years. There will be certain pathways for the new Visa to become permanent residents.

Through the Subclass 482 TSS Visa, all Visa holders have access to PR regardless of whether they follow independent or supported streams. Whether they are on the long-term or short-term stream, they will have 180 days starting in November 2023 to find a new sponsor and find employment. In this period, Visa holders will be able to find new employment and have more time

The Subclass 482 TSS is currently Visa, which only allows you to look for work for 60 days. Working for any approved sponsor for the necessary duration of time may help meet PR requirements for the Skills In-Demand Visa. the Australian government plans to construct a skilled occupation list; will there be adjustments to the occupation list and processing time; and allow migrants to change employers without risking their admission?

Skills Pathway of the Skills In-Demand Visa

Business stakeholders believe the current skilled occupation lists are inflexible when it comes to deciding a migrant’s eligibility for a Subclass 482 TSS Visa and would like a more flexible and evidence-based approach. It is expected that the Skills In-Demand Visa will process more quickly than the Subclass 482 TSS Visa.

As of February 27, 2024, 90% of medium-term stream Subclass 482 TSS visas are processed in 75 days, while 90% of short-term stream Subclass 482 TSS visas are processed in 63 days. The government plans to investigate ways to expand accredited sponsorship to smaller Enterprises and startups to provide more businesses with access to Priority Visa processing when sponsoring talented migrants on a Skills In-Demand Visa.