From 14 October 2024, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) will be abolished and replaced with the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). Legislation to abolish the AAT and replace it with the ART passed the Australian Parliament in May 2024. The transition marks a significant restructuring of the administrative review process in Australia.
The key changes that are expected to take place as part of the transition include:
Implementing a transparent and merit-based appointments process
Appointment of additional members to address existing backlogs
Implementing sustainable funding arrangements
Implementing a single and updated case management system to address risks
Introducing procedural efficiencies and process improvements
Implementing support services and emphasise early resolution where possible
These reforms reflect a broader effort to modernize and improve the administrative review system in Australia, ensuring that it is more effective, efficient, and responsive to the needs of the public.
Common questions and answers
What happens to my appeal with the AAT?
If you have an ongoing appeal that you lodged with the AAT, you do not need to worry. All matters currently before the AAT will continue as usual and will automatically transition to the ART upon its commencement on 14 October 2024. This is to ensure continuity for applicants without requiring any additional actions from them.
Do I need to submit a new appeal application with the ART?
No, if you have an ongoing appeal with the AAT, you do not need to lodge a new application with the ART as your application will automatically transfer to the ART as part of the transition.
Is the AAT still operating until 14 October 2024?
Yes, the AAT will continue to consider applications until the commencement of the ART on 14 October 2024. Until the commencement, you can still lodge or manage applications and other documents through the AAT website.
Are all decisions made by the AAT still valid?
Yes, if you have an AAT decision that has already been finalised by the AAT, it will not be considered again by the ART.
We will provide further updates in relation to the expected changes as they are announced by the Australian government.
If you have an appeal and are unsure about how the changes may affect you, please feel free to contact us.
The TSS 482 visa is the most common long-duration temporary work visa for Australia.
You can apply for the TSS visa if you are sponsored by a company to work in Australia.
With the 482 visa, you can live and work in Australia for up to 2 years for occupations on the short-term list or 4 years for occupations on the medium-term list. You can potentially apply for permanent residency after 2 years (186 Visa).
Only 1 year work experience required to get the 482 visa from November 2024
From 23 November 2024, the 482 visa will only require 1 year of full-time work experience, which is half of the current requirement of 2 years full-time. This change was announced in the 2024-25 Budget.
The employment will still need to be full-time and "in the nominated occupation or a related field".
For some people who were looking at DAMA due to the lower skills requirements, this may now let them go for a medium-term stream or short-term stream 482 visa instead.
This is a good change, especially for those in Australia on graduate visas who are not able to complete 2-years of full-time experience in their occupation before they need a new visa to stay in Australia.
This is not about the number of years you need to spend on the 482 visa before you can apply for the 186 visa in the Temporary Residence Transition stream. I'll talk about that requirement in a minute.
We do not know exactly when this new visa will be brought in, but the Strategy indicated that building "a targeted temporary skilled migration system" would be done by the end of 2024.
The program will have 3 distinct streams:
Specialist Skills for mostly white-collar workers earning more than $135,000
Core Skills for skills that are in high demand earning at least $73,150
Essential Skills for important skilled and semi-skilled roles, including those that may be earning under the $73,150 threshold, such as care jobs
This new Skills in Demand visa program and its 3 streams could make some positive changes, reducing red-tape for employers and providing a better visa and pathway to permanent residency for visa holders.
2-year pathway to PR instead of 3 years
Since 25 November 2023, the requirement for the 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream was reduced from 3 years down to 2 years. This means 1 less year needed to work on the 482 visa.
The time starts once your 482 is granted.
If you change employer, the time resets. With the new Skills in Demand visa, the Migration Strategy says it will not reset anymore.
This has increased the amount of time allowed after you cease working for your employer to 180 days. That’s roughly 6 months and is 3 times more than it was before.
Under the new rules, during the 180 days you are allowed to work other jobs to support yourself.
If you do not find a new nominator before the end of the 180 days, your visa may be cancelled.
This change allows 482 visa holders who have lost their employment to maintain a more stable situation in Australia while they search for a new nominator, as 60 days often isn't sufficient time to secure new sponsored work.
It also makes it safer for those who are being exploited and need to get away from a dangerous or exploitative sponsored work situation, as they will be able to leave and find other jobs.
New powers to crack down on worker exploitation
Since 1 July 2024, there have been new criminal and civil penalties brought in for those who make a migrant worker breach a work-related condition or force them to accept an exploitative work situation to meet a work condition.
The Government also made changes to ban employers who exploit migrants from being allowed to employ the in the future, and to be able to publish the names of the employers who are banned.
Conclusion
The Government is always changing visa requirements to meet their policy objectives.
The new Skills in Demand visa program will change the employer-sponsored program, and we do not have full details of what these changes will include.
If you are eligible now, it is generally better to proceed with your application rather than waiting to see what the Skills in Demand visa looks like. It may be too late once you find out there is a change that might mean you are not able to apply.
If you are looking for an employer to sponsor you, check out this video on YouTube where we share some tips on how to find a sponsor.
Do you need help with your visa application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents is ready to assist you with your visa application.
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
The Skilled Independent 189 visa allocations have been nearly halved, from 30,375 in 2023-2024 to only 16,900 for 2024-2025. This significant reduction means that more people will be aiming for state-nominated 190 and 491 visas, making these allocations crucial.
The more state allocations there are, the better your chances of getting a visa.
Analysis and Patterns
The pattern is clear: states defined as regional have received the largest increases in allocations.
The overall strategy appears to focus on increasing the number of 190 PR visas for WA, SA, and NT, while NSW and Victoria saw most of their increases in the regional 491 visa, aimed at dispersing migrants outside Melbourne and Sydney.
Queensland's reduction in numbers was at the request of the QLD government.
It seems the Federal Government is worried about housing shortages and so is looking to give visas for regional areas.
The Department of Home Affairs has released the list of professions from the latest 189 Skilled Independent Visa invitation round that took place on June 13th, 2024. This round saw a total of 5,292 invitations issued across more than 130 different occupations, with a significant focus on construction, healthcare, and engineering fields.
Interestingly, there were no invitations for the 491 Family Sponsored visas this round.
What is the 189 Skilled Independent Visa?
The 189 Visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident. Key benefits include:
With the ongoing housing shortage and the urgent need to build more housing, building trades have become the most sought-after professions in Australian migration.
Occupations such as carpenter, cabinetmaker, bricklayer, plumber, joiner, electrician, drainer, and glazier received invitations with 65 points or more.
Engineering Occupations
Civil engineer, mining engineer, telecommunication engineer, industrial engineer, transport engineer, and electrical engineer were invited, some requiring at least 85 points.
Healthcare Professionals
Registered nurses were invited with a minimum of 85 points.
Other Notable Occupations and Minimum Points
Chef: 95 points
Accountant: 100 points
Architect: 85 points
Child Care Centre Manager: 85 points
ICT Occupations: 100 points
Internal and External Auditors: 95 points
Motor Mechanic: 95 points
Social Worker: 85 points
Surprising Invitations
These occupations are surprising because they are not often considered the most “in-demand” skills.
Dancer or choreographer
Solicitor
Valuer
189 Occupations and Minimum Points
In general, most occupations required at least 80 points to receive an invitation.
The new financial year has brought significant changes to the Australian migration system. In this blog we will go through the main changes.
1. Visa Fee Increases
From 1 July 2024, most visa fees application increased by 2% to 4%, while student visa fees had a significant increase by 125%.
New Student Visa Fees:
Main applicant: From $710 to $1,600
Additional applicants over 18 years old: From $530 to $1,190
Dependents under 18 years old: From $175 to $390.
This increase will affect many planning to study in Australia. The current application fee for all types of visas are available on the Home Affairs website.
Northern Territory: an increase from 650 places to 1,200.
Australian Capital Territory: an increase from 1,200 to 1,800 places.
NSW and Victoria: both states are expected to remain the same as last year, with 3,150 for NSW and 3,300 for Victoria.
3. TSMIT Increase for employer sponsored visas
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has increased from $70,000 to $73,150.
The TSMIT is the minimum salary that employers are required to pay when they sponsor someone on a 482, 186, or a 494 visa.
Any new nominations from 1 July 2024 must meet this threshold, but existing holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2024 are not affected by this change.
4. Relaxation of Work Visa Conditions for 482, 494 and 457 Visas
Up to 180 days at a time to find a new employer or a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.
During the 180 days, employees who are looking for a new employer, can work in any job for any employer.
Employers and the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF)
With the greater mobility for employees, it's time that the Department of Home Affairs revisits the promise in the Migration Strategy to reform the SAF.
Employers currently have to pay the Skilling Australian Fund upfront, which is a significant amount if an employee then leaves before their visa grant period. Fees: $1,200 per year for businesses with a turnover under $10 million, and $1,800 per year for those over $10 million.
Given the increased mobility within the 482 system, there's a risk that employers may opt out of sponsoring due to these fees, and therefore skill shortages could get worse if the employers don't want to sponsor people anymore.
5. No Student Visas for Visitors and Graduates Visa Holders
From 1 July 2024, Visitors (Subclass 600) and Graduate (Subclass 485) visa holders can no longer apply for a student visa onshore, as well the following visa holders
Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
Subclass 771 (Transit)
Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
6. Graduate Visa Age Limit
Applicants looking to apply for a Graduate Visa must be 35 or under, with exemptions for Masters by research, PhDs, Hong Kong, and British Overseas passport holders up to 50 years old.
The Fair Work High-Income Threshold (FWHIT) has increased from $167,500 to $175,000. This means Global Talent applicants must have a minimum annual salary of $175,000 to apply.
8. Visa Closures
The Skilled – Recognised Graduate 476 visa has permanently closed
Philippines Passport Holders can now apply for a 462 Work and Holiday Visa with 200 places available. To be eligible, applicants must hold tertiary qualifications or have successfully completed at least 2 years of undergraduate study or post-secondary education and be 30 years or under.
UK Passport Holders
UK Passport Holders can now be granted up to three Working Holiday Subclass 417 visas without having to meet any specified work requirements. This is expected to lead to significant interest from young people from the UK, offering a work visa for up to three years in sunny Australia without the need to do agricultural work.
10. Health and Medical Changes
There have also been changes to the health and medical requirements including:
An Increase in the Threshold for Medical Costs from $51,000 to $86,000.
Mandatory Hepatitis B Testing for residents from high-risk countries, who are aged 15 and older.
11. Workplace Justice Visa Stream of the 408
A new visa has been introduced for employees who may have been exploited by their employer to stay and work. The employee will need a certificate stating there has been workplace exploitation. More details will be provided on this visa soon.
This was a summary of the main news in Australian immigration for the new financial year, July 2024. If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.
In Australia, the term "regional" includes a wide range of locations beyond the major cities of Melbourne, Sydney, and Brisbane. So, the whole of Australia outside of these three cities is regional.
Major Regional Cities
Perth, WA: Population of 2,600,000
Adelaide, SA: Population of 1,400,000
Gold Coast, QLD: Population of 647,000 (just 80 km from Brisbane)
Canberra, ACT: Population of 490,000
Hobart, TAS: Population of 230,000
Darwin, NT: Population of 135,000
Other Notable Regional Areas
Sunshine Coast, QLD
Wollongong, NSW
Geelong, VIC
Ballarat, VIC
Bendigo, VIC
All cities with a population over 100,000.
Unique Regional Locations
Byron Bay, NSW: Known for its celebrity residents, such as the Hemsworth brothers, and relaxed lifestyle
Wine Regions: Including Margaret River (WA), Barossa Valley (SA), and Yarra Valley (VIC)
Smaller Remote Regional Locations
The definition of regional also includes small towns and remote locations such as:
Coober Pedy, SA
Oodnadatta, SA
Bourke, NSW
Marble Bar, WA
Skilled Occupations in Regional Areas
Contrary to the perception that regional areas only require agricultural workers, there is a consistent demand for various skills, including:
Healthcare: GPs, registered nurses, and carers
Education and Social Services: Teachers and social workers
Trades: Chefs, cooks, diesel mechanics, and hairdressers
Moving to a Regional Area?
If you're considering relocating to a regional area in Australia, it's essential to explore your visa options. Moving to regions with more shortages can potentially provide more opportunities, such as finding a sponsor in your occupation.
As part of the Australian Government's Migration Strategy released in December 2023, there are significant changes to the 482 visa condition 8607 and the 494 visa condition 8608 from 1 July 2024. These changes are aimed at reducing the exploitation of immigrants in Australia and providing more flexibility for visa holders.
Summary of Changes:
Extended Period to Find a New Sponsor: Employer-sponsored visa holders will have 180 days to find a new sponsor if they quit or are fired (currently, it is only 60 days).
Maximum Total Period: A maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.
Flexibility in Employment: During this period, visa holders are allowed to work for different employers, including in occupations not listed in their most recently approved sponsorship nomination. This flexibility ensures that visa holders can support themselves financially while searching for a new sponsor.
Obligations:
Notification Requirement: Sponsors must notify the Department if a visa holder ceases work within 28 days, whether the visa holder resigns or their employment is terminated.
Employment Restrictions: Unless exempt, visa holders cannot work for another employer unless they have ceased work with their sponsoring employer.
Nominated Occupation: Visa holders must remain in their nominated occupation while working for their existing sponsor.
Licensing and Registration: Visa holders must not do any work inconsistent with any licence or registration needed for their nominated occupation.
Affected Individuals:
The changes apply to existing 457, 482 and 494 visa holders as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024.
Pathway to Permanent Residency:
The 186 Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream has not been changed at this point, so most 482 visa holders are still required to work 2 years for their same sponsoring employer before they can be sponsored for the 186 TRT stream.
The government may change this later in the year, when they bring in the Skills in Demand visa, so that “Periods of employment with any approved employer will count towards permanent residence requirements.” (The Migration Strategy, page 48).
Reform of Skilling Australia Fund Needed:
The Migration Strategy report raised the possibility of changes to the Skilling Australia Fund (SAF). Currently, the SAF requires a large upfront payment for the original nomination for a temporary work visa:
For 482 visas: $1,200 per year for businesses with a turnover up to $10 million and $1,800 per year for businesses with a turnover over $10 million.
For 494 visas: $3,000 flat fee for businesses with a turnover up to $10 million and $5,000 per year for businesses with a turnover over $10 million.
The changes to conditions 8607 and 8608 provide significant flexibility for employees, making it urgent to reform the Skilling Australia Fund to ensure employers are willing to sponsor, even with the risk of employee turnover.
Do you need help with a 482 or a 494 Visa application?
We understand that having a visa refusal can be disappointing and you can feel quite stressed and unsure of what to do.
In this blog, we explain the appeal process and what you can do if your visa has been refused by the Department of Home Affairs.
Generally, you have the option to appeal the decision through a merits review or judicial review. The process for appealing a visa refusal can vary depending on the type of visa you applied for, and the specific circumstances of your case.
Merits Review
Basically, merits review is a process that allows a decision maker to ‘step into the shoes’ of the original decision maker for example the delegate at the Department and make a fresh decision based on the evidence before it. In Australia, this is usually undertaken by a body known as the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (or the AAT).
Appealing the decision at the AAT
The refusal letter will state whether you can appeal the decision at the AAT. If you have this option, you must make sure to lodge your appeal within the time frame that is provided in your refusal letter. The easiest way to lodge your appeal is online through the AAT’s website.
Once you lodge an appeal at the AAT, your bridging visa will continue until you get a decision on your appeal.
Attending a Hearing
The AAT will then review your appeal application. Due to a large number of applications, it usually takes a long time before you are invited for a hearing. At the hearing, you can present your case and any evidence to support your appeal. The AAT will then usually make a decision to affirm the Department’s decision to refuse your visa or remit the decision back to the Department for reconsideration.
We would recommend getting legal assistance from an Australian Migration Lawyer to avoid any issues with your appeal and put your best case forward, especially when preparing for your hearing.
In cases where you don’t have a merits review option, you may be able to appeal the refusal decision in court.
Unlike merits review, judicial review does not involve considering the merits of the case or deciding what the right decision was. Instead, it looks at the process through which a decision was made and determine if it was made in accordance with the law.
Another thing to keep in mind is that unlike an appeal to the AAT, your bridging visa does not automatically continue when you apply for judicial review. You will need to lodge a bridging visa application before your current visa expires. We’re here to help if you need any assistance with this.
Appealing the decision in court
To be able to appeal the decision in court, you need to have grounds to seek judicial review for example there was a legal error in the decision-making process, such as a breach of procedural fairness or an incorrect interpretation of the law. You may need to get a Barrister to look at your case and assess if there are any grounds for judicial review.
Filing an appeal application
To begin an appeal at court, you will need to file an application with the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and within the specified time, which is generally 35 days from the date of the refusal.
After this you will need to follow the court procedures by serving the documents to the other party within the specified time, and then go through the court proceedings by attending a hearing and waiting for the court’s decision. This process can be very long, and it can take several years before you have a hearing.
It's important that you comply with all the requirements and deadlines for filing a court application and serving the documents as required by the court.
It can be helpful to get legal advice from a migration lawyer to help you navigate your appeal process because I understand it can be very confusing and there are strict time frames you have to work with.
Do you need help with your refused visa application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your appeal application.
Working as a Registered Nurse or Midwife in Australia
If you are an Internationally Qualified Nurse or Midwife and want to work in Australia as a registered nurse or midwife, you may be eligible to get registered in Australia and apply for an Australian visa. The demand for skilled nurses remains high in Australia.
In the 189 Skilled Independent visa invitation rounds in 2023, nurses have been the biggest winners.
The following occupations received invitations at the minimum 65 points:
254111 Midwife
254412 Registered Nurse (Aged Care)
254413 Registered Nurse (Child and Family Health)
254414 Registered Nurse (Community Health)
254415 Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency)
Qualification is equivalent to Australian bachelor’s degree (AQF level 7)
Have at least 800 hours of workplace experience in different health care settings
Certification from educational institute that proves of completing an assessment in medication administration and management
IELTS 7, PTE 65 & TOEFL 88 overall score and not less than that in any band
Professional’s skills and knowledge are up-to-date by meeting the recency of practice registration standard
Criminal history checked
If you meet the requirements, then here is your Guide to the Registration:
Self-assessment with Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency – AHPRA
On the basis of your self-assessment, you will be assigned to the stream A, B or C by Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA) after an initial assessment.
Stream A: Candidates who hold a qualification that is relevant but not significantly equivalent to an Australian approved qualification and satisfy the compulsory registration standards. You'll need to pay the assessment fee and complete Orientation Part 1 before completing the Portfolio stage.
Stream B:Applicants who hold a qualification that is not significantly equivalent to an Australian approved qualification and satisfy the compulsory registration standards. It's recommended that you end your participation in the assessment process and upgrade your qualification if you wish to continue.
Stream C: Not fitting in A or B stream.
Once you are assigned to the stream A, B OR C then proceed further according to the stream.
Proceed for the Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives (IQNM) assessment process and pay the IQNM Assessment Fee.
Attend the Orientation Part 1 – It is an online learning course providing an introduction to Australia and the Australian healthcare context.
Portfolio (This is where you will be supplying the qualification and identification details and documentation.
Attend Multiple Choices Question (MCQ) exam (MCQ Exam is a computer-based multiple-choice test, undertaken at a Pearson VUE testing centre).
Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE). It is a clinical exam to assess the candidate’s knowledge, skills and competence at the graduate-level nurse or midwife.
Candidates who have successfully completed the Orientation Part 1, Portfolio, MCQ exam and the OSCE exam are now eligible to apply for registration in Australia.
How can I apply for registration once I am eligible?
Once you are eligible to apply for registration, the application form for the registration will be made available within your dashboard.
You can access the form and lodge the application.
What happens next?
APRAH will review and verify your qualifications, proof of Identity and other documentation.
The NMBA will decide whether to approve your registration, propose to register with conditions, or propose to refuse your application. You will be notified the outcome by email of registration if your residential address is in Australia, or via a letter of in principle approval of registration if you are currently living overseas.
What is in principle registration?
If you have met all registration requirements, but only provided the minimum proof of identity evidence with your application (because you were not living in Australia at that time), the NMBA will provide you with a letter providing in principle approval for registration, valid for three months, and detailing the outstanding proof of identity requirements. This does not mean that you are registered.
What is the propose to register with conditions?
If your registered nursing qualification is assessed at less than Australian Qualification Framework level 7, you will not meet the requirements for registration. However, if you hold a qualification that:
is solely in mental health, paediatric or disability nursing
meets all criteria under the current model for registration, except criterion 3 (that your qualification is at AQF level 7 or above)
is at AQF level 6, and
meet all registration standards
the NMBA will grant registration with conditions, which will require a period of 12 months full time equivalent supervised practice. You will also have a notation on your registration.
What is the next step after registration?
You need to get you skills assessment done from Australian Nursing & Midwifery Accreditation Council (ANMAC).
When can I apply for the visa?
Once you have a positive skills assessment from ANMAC, you will be eligible to apply for an appropriate visa.
Summary:
STEP 1 - Check the requirements for the registration
STEP 2 - Check the requirements for the immigration
STEP 3 - Complete the Self-assessment
STEP 4 - Complete the orientation part 1 successfully (Stream A)
STEP 5 - Complete the orientation part 1, portfolio, MCQ and OSBE exam (Stream B)
STEP 6 - Lodge an application for registration and provide all documentations to AHPRA
STEP 7 - Apply to be registered with NMBA
STEP 8 - Receive registration
STEP 9 - Get the skills assessed at ANMAC
STEP 10 - Apply for a visa
STEP 11 - Move to AUSTRALIA, get a job and work and live here.
As the end of the fiscal year approaches, many changes are being made to the Australian immigration system. Many of these changes stem from the Budget 2024-25.
We have already posted some videos about these changes, which you can find on our YouTube channel.
Today’s news includes an exciting 189 invitation round, restrictions on applying for student visas, skills assessment updates, and a new visa coming soon.
No Student Visas for Those with Tourist/Visitor or Graduate Visas
From 1 July 2024, visitor visa holders and temporary graduate visa holders will not be able to apply for student visas onshore. In the short term, this will lead to many graduate and visitor visa holders lodging applications before 30 June 2024.
In summary, from 1 July 2024, the following subclasses will not be able to apply for a student visa onshore:
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
Subclass 600 (Visitor)
Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
This is in addition to the visas already listed which cannot make a valid student visa application, which are:
Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
Subclass 771 (Transit)
Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
189 Invitation Round Released
A 189 Skilled Independent Visa invitation round has just happened On the 13th of June 2024! It includes invitations for a wide range of occupations with high points, many in the range of 85 to 100 points. The occupations include engineers, accountants, ICT professionals, and construction-related trades, such as carpenters and painters.
Before this round, the last few rounds only included invitations for health and teaching professions, which was discouraging for those in other occupations.
The June 2024 round is encouraging for many, as it opens up opportunities for a wide range of occupations.
State Nomination 190 and 491 Visas Updates
Only New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are still open. The other states are already closed and will reopen in the new financial year.
Increase in the TSMIT
From 1 July 2024, the TSMIT will increase from $70,000 to $73,150.
The TSMIT is the minimum salary that employers are required to pay when they sponsor someone on a 482, 186, or 494 visa.
Any new nominations from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $73,150.
This change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2024.
Good News for People Seeking to Apply for the 482 Employer-Sponsored Visa
From November 2024, applicants will be able to apply for the 482 employer-sponsored visa after 1 year of experience. Currently, the applicant must have 2 years of full-time experience.
With the shortage of invitations in the points-based visas, this change for the employer-sponsored 482 visa will be welcomed by many students and 408 holders looking for their next visa.
Masters (research) and PhD graduates, as well as Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age.
Any applications lodged on or after 1 July 2024 will be assessed under the new subclass 485 visa requirements, which include the reduction of the age limit to 35 and under.
There has been much media commentary in relation to Directions 99 and the decisions of the AAT.
This pertains to visa holders with character issues and some decisions by the AAT to reinstate visas for those with criminal convictions.
A new Direction 110 has been released, emphasizing the protection of the Australian community in visa decisions involving character issues.
ORANA DAMA Expanded
The variation of the Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) has been expanded to include an additional 41 local government areas across inland NSW.
This expansion grants a geographical boundary extension to include the RDA regions of Riverina, Murray, Southern Inland, and Central West.
The variation will support the development and growth of regional NSW, expanding to 129 occupations under the Orana DAMA, giving businesses across 53 local government areas in NSW access to a broader range of skilled workers.
The Skilled Migrant Job Connect Subsidy program is now available through the Migration WA Portal to help onshore migrants cover the costs of skills assessments, gap training, and occupational licensing by providing reimbursements of up to $7,500.
This support aims to assist migrants in gaining employment in Western Australia that aligns with their overseas qualifications, skills, and experience, thereby bolstering the state’s skilled workforce.
This new visa aims to attract exceptionally talented migrants to Australia, such as high-performing entrepreneurs, major investors, and global researchers. Streams of the National Innovation Visa could include:
VETASSESS reopened new applications for Chefs and Fitters, which they stopped last year.
In May, they also reopened to cooks, diesel motor mechanics, and motor mechanics.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Updates
The requirement for mandatory skills assessment through the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) has been removed for certain automotive trades from qualified applicants/countries of passport. Applicants can now have their skills assessed through the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program. This change provides a less expensive documentary evidence-only assessment option.
Do You Need Help with an Australian Visa Application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world. You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.
