What’s New in Australian Immigration: 6 Major Updates for May 2024

Fantastic news for anybody considering regional opportunities! Both the Adelaide City DAMA and the South Australian Regional DAMA have been increased. Among these are an astounding 128 new jobs in a variety of industries, including renewable energy, construction, agriculture, ICT, healthcare, and education.

Key positions that are now open include those of registered nurses, rehabilitation and disability specialists, truck drivers, bricklayers, floor finishers, winery employees, and farm laborers who work with sheep. This growth greatly increases employment opportunities in areas like Barossa and Clare Valley, which are well-known for their vineyards.

1. Student Visa and English Language Test Updates

The required minimum income for student visa applications has been raised from $224,500 to $229,700 as of May 10, 2024. This is consistent with the most current modifications to the student visa program, which now have higher English language proficiency requirements and a new condition for being a legitimate student.

In related news, as long as the test is completed at an accredited and secure testing facility, the TOEFL IBT exam is now acceptable for all Australian visas.

2. Recent Graduate Visa Changes and 476 Visa Closure Updates

The Graduate Visa program will undergo a significant change on July 1, 2024. The upper age limit for eligibility will be lowered from under 50 to under 35, with specific exemptions for British nationals living abroad and those from Hong Kong. The minimum English proficiency level has increased in tandem with this modification, and English test validity is now limited to one year before application.

3. Skilled Point System and New Core Skills Occupation List

The government is also examining the points system for skilled visas; modifications to the scoring system for partner skills and regional studies may be necessary. The new Core Skills Occupation List, which will determine the professions eligible for the forthcoming Core Skills Visa and may eventually replace the 482 Employer-sponsored Visa, is being consulted on by Jobs and Skills Australia in the interim.

4. Recent Vetassess Updates

Vetassess is once again taking new applications for trade positions, including motor mechanics and cooks. This is fantastic news for professionals working in these industries.

5. State Nomination Closures

Note that Expressions of Interest for State-nominated Visas, 191 and 491, have already closed in Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, with possible closures in other regions shortly.

Australia Migration Budget and Visa Reform 2024

The Australian government released its budget on May 14, 2024, and it contained several ideas that would have an impact on the country’s immigration laws. The migration strategy, which was revealed in December 2023 and contained significant statements regarding changes to Australia’s immigration laws, particularly concerning the Employer-sponsored Visa program, comes before the budget.

The Skill Stream will receive more than 70 percent of the 185,000 places allotted for permanent migration in the 2024–2025 program. The Skill Stream includes both employer-sponsored and independent skilled permanent visas.

This blog post will cover the recent revisions and modifications to certain Australian visa pathways, as well as the possible effects of the Australian immigration budget on the categories of skilled and working visas.

Australia Immigration System Reforms and Funding

The Australian government has committed to investing 18.3 million over the next four years toward the advancement of changes to Australia’s immigration system in an attempt to boost economic development and repair its reputation. The allocation to the budget consists of:

• $15 million will be allocated over the next three years to initiatives that will inform and educate migrant workers on their rights, employment security, and compliance with immigration laws.
• $1.9 million for a trial project that will be funded for the fiscal year 2024-2025 that allows data sharing between the Australian Taxation Office and the Department of Home Affairs

Reduction to TSS Work Experience Requirement

Candidates for the Temporary Skill Shortage Subclass 482 Visa currently require two years of full-time relevant work experience to be sponsored by an employer for skilled employment. This requirement will be dropped from two years to one year as of November 23, 2024.

Permanent Migration Program

For the 2024–2025 fiscal year, the government has reserved 185,000 slots for the permanent immigration program, of which 70% are allotted to the skilled visa stream. Starting in 2025–2026, the Australian government plans to increase the permanent migration program’s planning period from one year to four years.

This is a part of the ongoing plan for migration initiatives aimed at enhancing the management and operation of the Australian migration system. It is anticipated that these measures will result in a 110,000 reduction in net foreign migration. It is anticipated that there will be a significant drop in net overseas migration beginning on July 1, 2024, from 528,000 in 2023 to about 260,000 in 2024.

Replacement of Current Global Talent Visa

By the end of 2024, the Australian government intends to launch a new National Innovation Visa. The current Global Talent Visa, which seeks to draw in highly qualified immigrants who can contribute to the growth of important industries, will be replaced by this new visa.

Beginning in September 2024, applicants who choose to withdraw their application may do so by requesting a refund of their visa application cost, as the Business Innovation and Investment Visa program will be ending at that time.

Changes Specific to Chinese, Vietnamese, and Indian Nationals

Beginning in 2024–2025, the Australian government plans to use a voting system for the limited Work and Holiday Visa program, which will largely target applicants from China, Vietnam, and India. Controlling program demand and accelerating these Count’s application processing times are the objectives of the ballot technique.

The $25 fee for the ballot application will increase annually in line with the Consumer Price Index. Furthermore, under the Business Visitor Stream, Indian nationals will be permitted to extend the duration of their Visit Visa stay from three to five years. However, the precise timing of implementation is still unknown.

Questions Regarding the New Skills In-Demand Visa

The migration policy, which was revealed in December 2023, included the introduction of a New Skills In-Demand Visa as a replacement for the present TSS Visa. The new Visa’s adoption date is unknown because this year’s budget contains no information. Currently, Jobs and Skills Australia is offering consultation on the lists of professions that are eligible for funding.