Latest updates

From 7 December 2024, all occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) are now eligible to apply for the 186 Visa Direct Entry. This means that the Core Skills Occupation List has replaced the Medium and Long Term Occupation List, and all occupations on the CSOL can now apply for the 186 Visa Direct Entry.

Click here to check the Core Skills Occupation List.

The 186 visa is a permanent residency visa for skilled workers who are nominated by their employer, that means you must have an employer to sponsor you. There are three streams available under the 186 visa: the Temporary Residence Transition stream, the Direct Entry stream, and the Labour Agreement stream.

Each stream has different requirements, so let’s discuss each one and the main requirements: 

1) Temporary Residence Transition Stream

This stream allows skilled workers nominated by their employer to live and work in Australia permanently. It is available for Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (482) and Skills in Demand Visa (Subclass 482) holders who:

• Have worked for a sponsoring employer for at least 2 years in the same occupation on the 482 visa.
• Can meet competent English requirements.
• Are under 45 years of age when applying (some exceptions may apply).
• For most occupations, no skills assessment is required.

So, after working for two years on a 482 visa, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency through the Temporary Residence Transition stream.

2) Direct Entry Stream

This is a permanent visa that allows you to stay in Australia indefinitely, meaning you become a permanent resident on the day the visa is granted. The 186 Direct Entry stream is available for applicants who:

• Are nominated by an Australian employer.
• Have an occupation on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).
• Have at least 3 years of relevant work experience, unless exempt.
• Have a positive skills assessment, unless exempt.
• Have at least competent English.
• Are under 45 years old unless exemptions apply.

If your occupation is on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) and an Australian employer wants to sponsor you, the 186 Direct Entry stream may be the best option for you, as it allows for quicker permanent residency without needing to apply for the 482 Visa first and then transitioning through the Temporary Residence Transition stream. The 186 Direct Entry is a direct path to permanent residency.

3) Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is only applicable if you are sponsored by an employer through a tailored and negotiated labour agreement. 

The age, skills, and English requirements will be stated in the labour agreement, so some requirements will depend on the specific agreement you are applying under.

For all three streams, you can include family members in your application when you apply or before your visa is granted.

Once your 186 visa is granted in one of the 3 streams, you can:

• Stay in Australia indefinitely.
• Work and study in Australia.
• Enrol in Medicare.
• Sponsor eligible relatives to come to Australia.
• Travel to and from Australia for 5 years.
• Apply for Australian citizenship, if eligible.

The Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) has officially replaced the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) as of October 14, 2024. This significant change aims to streamline the independent merits review process, making it more efficient and accessible for individuals navigating Australia’s migration system.

Transitioning Your Appeal

If you had a visa refusal and submitted your application for review with the AAT on or before October 13, 2024, there's no need for any action on your part. Your case will automatically transfer to the new Tribunal, and your appeal will continue at the ART until a decision is reached. Should the decision be unfavorable, you may have the option to appeal the ART’s decision in court through judicial review.

It’s crucial to note that applying for judicial review does not automatically extend your bridging visa. Therefore, ensure you lodge a bridging visa application before your current visa expires.

What If You Just Received a Visa Refusal?

Receiving a visa refusal can be disheartening, and it’s understandable to feel confused about your next steps. Depending on your circumstances, you may have the right to appeal the decision. Your visa refusal letter typically outlines whether you have merits review rights.

To appeal a decision by the Department of Home Affairs, visit the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART) website to submit your application. Be mindful of the time limits specified in your refusal letter, as delays can jeopardize your application’s validity. Timeliness is critical when appealing decisions.

Once you’ve lodged your appeal with the ART, you will generally receive a bridging visa, allowing you to remain in Australia while awaiting a decision.

Book an Appointment

Do You Need Help Appealing an Australian Visa Refusal?

If you have had a Student Visa refusal, a Partner Visa refusal, a Training Visa refusal, or any other visa refusal and need assistance to appeal your visa refusal, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents looks 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.

Sources:

https://www.art.gov.au/

https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/

As we approach the end of 2024, significant changes are anticipated in Australia's immigration landscape. Among these changes is the potential replacement of the Global Talent Visa with the National Innovation Visa, as well as the introduction of the Skills in Demand Visa, which will feature pathways for Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills.

In this blog, we discuss the appeal changes, indicative allocations for education providers in 2025, updates on the 190 and 491 visas, the new Workplace Justice Visa, the Work and Holiday Visa for China, India, and Vietnam, and when the next 189 invitation round will be.

Book an Appointment

Skills in Demand Visa and the Core Skills Consultation List

The opening of the Skills in Demand Visa, including the Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills pathways, is expected by the end of this year. 

There is a great deal of stress from those with occupations on the Confident Off list as part of the core skills consultation. 

This list includes various roles, such as farming and cattle management positions, Child Care Centre Manager, Customer Service Manager, Nutritionist, Microbiologist, Graphic Designer, Health Promotions Officer, Telecommunications Engineer, Disabilities Services Officer, and Refuge Worker. 

Occupations on the Confident Off list may not be available for employer sponsorship under the new Core Skills Visa.

Changes to the Visa Refusal Process

Starting on October 14, 2024, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) will be replaced by the Administrative Review Tribunal (ART). This restructuring aims to modernize the administrative review process, making it more efficient and responsive to public needs. 

Recent reports indicate a significant rise in bridging visa numbers, with a jump from 191,235 to 323,583 as former students appeal visa cancellations or denials. 

Our team has seen an increase in requests for assistance with visa refusals, particularly related to student visas and cancellations.

2025 Indicative Allocations for Student Visas

The Australian Government has released the indicative allocation numbers for student visas in 2025. Major universities, especially in Melbourne and Sydney, have experienced decreased allocations, while some regional universities have seen increases. 

Understanding these numbers is crucial, as they provide insight into how difficult or easy it might be to secure enrolment with any particular university or educational institution.

Updates on 190 and 491 Visas

All states and territories are now open and actively inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs). Recently, some of our clients received invitations for various occupations in South Australia, including:

• Mechanical Engineer: Invited with 75 points for the 190 visa

• Registered Nurse: Invited with 70 points for the 491 visa

• Pathology Collector: Invited with 75 points for the 491 visa

• Retail Pharmacist: Invited with 70 points for the 190 visa

If you require assistance with your EOI or Registration of Interest, feel free to contact us.

Book an Appointment

Business Opportunities with the 491 Visa

Queensland and Tasmania have opened new pathways for small business owners. 

Applicants in Queensland may meet the requirements if they purchase an existing registered business outside of South East Queensland or operate their own business for a minimum of two years.

In Tasmania, applicants may meet the requirements if they have established and operated a business for at least 12 months.

462 Work and Holiday Visa for India, China, and Vietnam

The ballot system for people from India, China, and Vietnam regarding the Australian 462 Work and Holiday Visa is already open. This will allow individuals from these countries to register for the possibility of being randomly selected to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa. The registration will cost $25.

The 462 Work and Holiday Visa is designed for young people aged 18 to 30 years, allowing them to live and work in Australia for 1 year, with the possibility to extend for 1 or 2 more years.

New Workplace Justice Visa for People Being Exploited in Their Workplace

This new free visa was introduced to protect migrant workers who have experienced exploitation in their workplace. This visa allows these workers to remain and work in Australia for up to 12 months while their claims of exploitation are investigated. 

Check out the detailed page about the Workplace Justice Visa that we recently posted on our website.

When Will the Next 189 Round Be?

Historically, December has seen 189 visa rounds. There was a round on Monday, December 18, 2023, and Thursday, December 8, 2022. In 2021, there was no December round, but instead a Friday, January 21, 2022 round. It’s likely there will be a 189 invitation round this year. 

Those with occupations on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) should ensure their skills assessments and English tests are ready.

Fast track to register as a doctor

Starting 21 October 2024, doctors from the UK, Ireland, and New Zealand will have their ability to practice in Australia fast-tracked. The new changes will allow international medical specialists to apply directly to the Medical Board of Australia and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for registration, rather than going through an individual assessment by a specialist college like the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

This significant change will eliminate unnecessary regulatory barriers and enable international specialists from similar healthcare systems to work in Australia sooner.

Family violence provisions for Skilled visa applications

The Migration Amendment Family Violence Provisions for Skilled Visa Applications regulations allow secondary applicants in seven permanent Skilled visa subclasses to access family violence provisions. These subclasses include the 186 visa, 187 visa, 189 visa, 190 visa, 191 visa, Global Talent visa, and 887 visa.

This change means that secondary applicants can be granted visas even if their relationship with the primary applicant has ended, provided they, a family member, or a dependent child have experienced family violence from the primary applicant.

We believe that more changes will be announced by the end of the year. Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube to stay up to date with all Australian immigration news.

Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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.

Book an Appointment

Securing an enrolment in an Australian educational institution is becoming increasingly challenging, which in turn affects the ability to obtain a student visa.

With the Australian Government releasing the 2025 Indicative Allocation numbers for student visas for universities, colleges, and vocational schools, it's essential for prospective students to understand how these numbers impact their enrolment opportunities.

Understanding the 2025 Visa Caps

The recently announced student visa caps will limit the number of student visas issued each year, with a cap set at 270,000 for 2025.

This change follows the trend of tightening enrolment processes, making it crucial for students to consider where they apply.

Student Visa Cap for 2025

• 145,000 new student visas for public universities
• 30,000 for other universities and non-university higher education providers
• 90,000 for the vocational education and training (VET) sector

• School students
• Higher degree by research programs
• English-language providers (ELICOS)
• Non-award programs
• Australian Government-sponsored scholars
• Students who are part of an Australian transnational education or twinning arrangement
• Key partner foreign government scholarship holders
• Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste

Insights into Enrolment Opportunities

Analysing the allocation numbers can provide valuable insights into the likelihood of securing enrolment at specific institutions. Notably, there has been a decrease in allocations for major universities, particularly in Melbourne and Sydney.

For instance, the University of New South Wales has seen a significant reduction of 45%, dropping from 17,359 to 9,500 allocated enrolments. Meanwhile, some smaller regional universities have experienced increased allocations. For example, Charles Darwin University has received an allocation of over 100% compared to previous years.

You can find more detailed information on the indicative numbers for your planned universities or vocational schools through this link. 

Course Caps Overview

Let’s take a closer look at some of the largest providers and their changes in enrolment allocations:

• The University of Sydney: Decreased by 31%, from 17,247 enrolments in 2024 to an expected 11,900 in 2025.
• Monash University: Allocation reduced from 12,573 to 10,000, a reduction of 20%.
• The University of Melbourne: Decreased by 21%, from 11,866 to 9,300.
• The University of Western Australia: Reduced by 41%, from 5,140 in 2024 to 3,000 in 2025.

Interestingly, all of Australia’s Group of Eight (Go8) universities have seen reductions in their allocations for 2025 compared to 2024.

Universities with Increased Allocations

On the flip side, several institutions have witnessed significant increases in their enrolment allocations:

• Charles Darwin University
• James Cook University
• Charles Sturt University
• University of New England
• University of Southern Queensland

All of these universities have seen an increase of over 100% in their allocations for 2025 compared to 2024. Additionally, the University of Tasmania experienced a 41% increase, while Flinders University saw an 87% increase.

Changes in Colleges and Vocational Education

When it comes to colleges and vocational education, some popular providers have also faced reductions in their allocations:

• Holmes Institute: Reduced by 53%.
• Le Cordon Bleu (for chefs): Reduced by 52%.
• Monash College: Reduced by 41%.
• Torrens University: Reduced by 24%.

Conversely, some colleges have seen increases:

• Kaplan Business School: Increased from 2,459 to 3,170 (a 28% increase).
• Victorian Institute of Technology: Increased from 914 to 1090 (a 19% increase).

What to do now?

If you are considering studying in Australia, it may be beneficial to focus on education providers where you have better chances of securing enrolment. Understanding the changing landscape of student visa allocations can significantly impact your decisions.

Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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.

Souces:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/student-500

Improving the sustainability of international education | Ministers' Media Centre

Earlier this year, the Australian Government announced that it would close the Global Talent Visa (GTV) in late 2024 and replace it with the new National Innovation Visa.

The National Innovation Visa, expected to be introduced in late 2024, will replace both the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program. This new visa aims to attract exceptionally talented migrants to Australia, including high-performing entrepreneurs, major investors, and global researchers.

You can read more about the National Innovation Visa here.

Global Talent Visa latest updates: 

1. Global Talent Visa Skill open

The Global Talent is currently still moving forward and is not closed yet. We are still getting invites for our clients.  

Book an Appointment

2. Quick EOI Rejections 

We have noticed that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from applicants who clearly do not meet the prioritization parameters are being rejected very quickly. Some applicants received rejection decisions as fast as 2 weeks, while others were informed within 2 months. 

It seems that applicants who do not meet the high-income threshold are being rejected quickly. 
Additionally, some applicants already in Australia on other visas, such as the subclass 482, are also receiving rejections.

3. People with Rejected EOIs Trying Again 

Resubmitting an EOI after an unsuccessful attempt depends on the case. 
There are those who are unsuccessful because they did not provide enough evidence but have the achievements, salary, etc and perhaps did not provide good responses to the questions in the EOI webform. These applicants may have a chance if they improve their submissions and evidence.

Then there are those who do not meet the parameters of the program so if they cannot provide any significant changes since submitting their first EOI, they would still get an unsuccessful EOI.

4. Global Talent Visa Processing Time

5. Global Talent Visa has become more competitive 

Thus, it is very important to show that the applicants meet the high-income threshold and have the required internationally recognised achievements in their field.

6. Nominators

Self-represented applicants for the GTV have also reported that they have been getting requests to prove their nominator's status. This is one indicator that the Department is more stringent in assessing the applications.

We have also seen that there are instances where the Department contacted the nominator to verify the contents of the Form 1000 and have even contacted some referees to check the claims of the applicants.

Global Talent Visa Requirements

While the Global Talent Visa remains open, it is important to make sure your meet all the requirements for your EOI. 

Just putting a EOI in because you hear it is closing, without considering the criteria, is not a good idea.

The criteria include, being in one of the target sectors, having international recognition for outstanding achievements, earning a salary above the current income threshold of A$175,000 (for the 2024-2025 Financial year), being employable in Australia and securing an eligible nominator.

Take a free Global Talent Visa assessment

If you’re considering applying for the Global Talent Visa, we offer a free assessment on our website where we can provide feedback on your chances of being invited. 

Take Free GTV Assessment

Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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. 

Book an Appointment

Sources:

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/global-talent-visa-858

Budget Paper No.2 (squarespace.com)

Should you apply now for a 482 visa with your current occupation, or should you wait for the Core Skills Visa?

Both the 482 Visa and the Core Skills Visa are employer-sponsored visas, meaning you need an employer to sponsor you.

The decision about which visa you should apply depends heavily on your occupation.

The short answer is that you should apply for the 482 visa now, especially if you're worried about your occupation being left off the Core Skills list.

If you need assistance applying for a 482 visa, please contact us.

Book an Appointment

Core Skills Occupation List

Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has opened a consultation on the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), and as part of that, three draft lists were released:

Confident On List – Includes occupations that Jobs and Skills Australia is confident will remain on the list. Occupations like Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and IT Network Administrator are on this list.

Confident Off List – Includes occupations recommended for removal based on current labor market insights. Occupations like Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Cattle Farmer, ICT Project Manager, and Real Estate Representative are on the off list.

Targeted for Consultation List – Includes occupations that need further input from stakeholders to determine their necessity and priority. Occupations like Chef, Cook, Finance Manager, Web Designer, Hairdresser, and Marketing Specialist are on this list.

If your occupation is on the Targeted for Consultation List or the Confident Off List, it may be wise to apply for the 482 visa before the Core Skills Visa is introduced.

When the Core Skills will be implemented?

The Core Skills Visa is expected to be implemented in late 2024, possibly from 23 November.

Skills in Demand Visa

The Core Skills Pathway is one of the pathways under the Skills in Demand Visa, which includes three distinct pathways: The Specialist Skills, Core Skills, and Essential Skills Pathways.

Most temporary skilled migrants will come through the Core Skills Pathway.

The Core Skills Visa is likely to have requirements very similar to the current 482 visa. You can check the 482 Occupation List here. 

Key features for the Core Skills Pathway include:

• Individuals with occupations on the new Core Skills Occupation List
• Individuals with a salary at or above the TSMIT, which is currently AU$ 73,150 a year
• The Core Skills Visa will provide a four-year work visa.
• Visa holders will be able to move between sponsors with 180 days to find a new sponsor.
• The time spent with any approved employer will count toward permanent residence requirements. This will avoid the clock resetting with each employer.
• The Core Skills Visa will have a clear path to permanent residency in Australia.
• There will be a public register of sponsors to assist individuals in finding a new sponsor.

Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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.

Book an Appointment

Exciting news for regional New South Wales (NSW)! The Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) has been expanded to include more regional areas of NSW. This comes as a welcome change for many businesses in those regions who are struggling to fill skills shortages in sectors such as aged care, agriculture, horticulture, construction, food and hospitality.

What areas are covered?

In addition to Orana, expanded regions include Central West, Murray, Riverina and Southern Inland.

Eligibility to request an Orana DAMA depends on the Local Government Area in which the employer operates their business.

This table summarises council areas within the Orana, Central West, Riverina, Murray and Southern Inland regions:

Source: https://www.rdaorana.org.au/migration/dama/employer-eligibility

Book an Appointment 

What is the process?

An interesting feature of the Orana DAMA is the process of seeking endorsement (i.e. support) from the Designated Area Representative (DAR). It can be quite a lengthy process.

1. Employer must conduct Labour Market Testing, in other words job advertising.
2. Once the specific region is identified, employers will need to arrange a discussion and subsequently lodge an endorsement application with a relevant Migration Officer in their region.
3. At the initial interview, suitability for endorsement will be discussed. This step can be skipped if the employer is being represented by a migration agent or lawyer.
4. RDA Orana DAMA Migration Officer will assess the Endorsement Request and liaise with the employer if further information is needed.
5. Having provided endorsement, RDA Orana DAMA Migration Officer will send the completed application package to the RDA Orana DAR for their final assessment.
6. After officially approved by the RDA Orana DAR, a request can be made to the Department of Home Affairs for a Labour Agreement.

Occupations available

There are currently 129 occupations available on the Orana DAMA occupation list: https://oranadama.org.au/migration/dama/occupation-list

Concessions available

Permanent residency pathway

All occupations have an available pathway to permanent residency (PR) through the ENS 186 visa, after having living and worked in the Orana region for 3 years holding a 482 visa.

Age

Occupations Skill Level 1-4: up to 55 years old

Occupations Skill Level 5: up to 50 years old

English

Eligible occupations may allow applicants to have lower English scores than the standard requirements (unless higher scores are required for registration/licencing). 

For 482/494: IELTS overall 5.0 with no minimum in each band

For 186: IELTS overall 5.0 with minimum 4.0 in each band

Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)

Depending on the occupation, two types of TSMIT concessions may be available:

1. Annual monetary earnings of 90% of current TSMIT
2. Monetary earnings are minimum 90% of current TSMIT and non-monetary earnings are maximum 10% of current TSMIT- with total package at least equal to TSMIT

Click here to learn more about DAMAs. 

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.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

Book an Appointment 

Source: 

https://www.rdaorana.org.au/migration/dama

Check the November 2024 189 Invitation Round here

The Department of Home Affairs recently released the list of occupations invited for the 189 visa in the SkillSelect invitation round held on 5 September 2024. In this round, 7,973 Expressions of Interest (EOIs) were invited, which is nearly half of the total available quota for the 2024-25 financial year, set at 16,900.

Over 140 different occupations were invited, with points ranging from 65 to 115. 

No invitations were issued for the 491 Skilled Work Regional Family Sponsored visa in this round. 

Here's a summary of some key industries and the minimum points required:

Construction Trades:

Carpenters, Electricians, Painters, Joiners, Plumbers, and Glaziers were all invited with a minimum of 65 points. 

This is good news for tradespeople, as these are some of the lowest point requirements in this round.

Teaching:

Early Childhood (Pre-primary School) Teachers and Secondary School Teachers needed a minimum of 75 points to receive an invitation.

Healthcare:

• Registered Nurses: 75 points.

• Midwives: 75 points.

• General Practitioners: 75 points.

• Social Workers: 75 points.

• Clinical Psychologists: 85 points.

• Nursing Clinical Directors: 115 points.

Engineering:

Civil and Mechanical Engineers were invited with 90 points.

Information Technology:

• ICT Business Analysts and Analyst Programmers were invited with 90 points.

• Developer Programmers: 100 points.

Other occupations:

• Chefs: 90 points.

• University Lecturers: 90 points.

• Accountants: 95 points.

What this means for applicants

The lower the points requirement, the better the chances of receiving an invitation. In this round, construction trades had the lowest point requirement at 65, followed by healthcare and teaching professions at 75, and then moving to higher points for engineers, ICT professionals, and accountants.

How to apply for the 189 Skilled Independent Visa?

1. Your occupation must be on the Medium-Term occupation list

2. Obtain positive skills assessment and have at least Competent English

3. You must meet minimum 65 points to be able to lodge an expression of interest (EOI)

4. Submit an EOI through SkillSelect

5. If invited, submit visa application within 60 days of receiving an Invitation to Apply and include all supporting documents for the application

Considering other visa options

If your occupation did not get invited, or if the points required are much higher than you can achieve, it might be time to explore alternative visa pathways. Employer-sponsored visas, such as the 482 visa or 494 visa, might be a suitable option for those struggling with the high points threshold in the 189 visa.

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.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

Source: 

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

In this blog, we will cover the latest Australian immigration news including student visa caps, visa processing times, the 189 visa invitation round, Medicare for temporary visas, Global Talent visa and updates on state nominations.

Book an Appointment

Student Visa Cap

The Australian Government has announced a cap on student visas starting in 2025, with a total of 270,000 international students allowed to study in Australia, a reduction of 53,000 from the previous year.

The cap breakdown is as follows:

• 145,000 new student visas for public universities

• 30,000 for other universities and non-university higher education providers

• 90,000 for the vocational education and training (VET) sector

Exemptions:

• School students

• Higher degree by research programs

• English-language providers (ELICOS)

• Non-award programs

Potential Impact:

• Harder to get enrolment for vocational and university courses in Australia.

• Less enrolments for prestigious universities in Melbourne and Sydney.

• Some students may have their enrolments withdrawn before the visa is granted and not get the visa. 

• More enrolments for regional universities.

• It will be harder to do a second or third course once in Australia. For example, if you enter Australia as an English student and then want to apply for a VET course.  

• No caps at all for English courses or school students, so these will become more popular.

If you have any questions or need assistance with your Australian visa application, feel free to book an appointment. 

189 Invitation Round

A new 189 visa invitation round took place on 5 September 2024. The occupations invited include Teachers, Engineers, General Practitioners, Accountants, and trades.

Here are some key points from this round:

• Painting Trades Workers and Carpenters: Invited with 65 points 

• Construction Managers: Invited with 75 points 

• Medical Practitioners: Invited with 80 points 

• Architects: Invited with 75 points 

Both onshore and offshore applicants were invited. Click here to check all the occupations invited. 

State Nomination 190 and 491 Visa Updates

Most states have opened for Expressions of Interest (EOI) and Registrations of Interest (ROI) submissions, with New South Wales opening in October.

This year, some states are moving away from prioritising high points, focusing instead on factors such as:

• Salary

• Relevant work experience

• English proficiency

• Partner skills

• Education level

• ANZSCO classification

Click here to learn more about the 190 Visa. 

Click here to learn more about the 491 Visa. 

Temporary Visas Eligible for Medicare

All permanent visas can enrol in Medicare, but did you know that some temporary visas can also enrol in Medicare?

Temporary visas eligible for Medicare:

• 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa

• 491 Skilled Work Regional visa

• Onshore Parent visas

• Onshore provisional partner visas

• Protection visa (subclass 785)

Check the full list here. 

VETASSESS Processing Times

VETASSESS has reduced the processing time for skills assessments in professional and non-trade occupations. The typical processing time has decreased from 10-15 weeks to 8-10 weeks.

Global Talent Updates

The Global Talent Visa is expected to close in late 2024, with the National Innovation Visa set to replace it.

Here are some recent updates regarding the Global Talent Visa:

• We are still successfully receiving invitations for our clients.

• There have been reports of quick Expression of Interest rejections, sometimes as fast as two weeks for some applicants.

• Current visa processing times for the Global Talent Visa are estimated between 9 to 12 months.

• The Department of Home Affairs is increasingly checking the credentials of nominators and referees, with more scrutiny than before.

Visa Processing Times (September 2024)

Here are the current processing times for some key visas:

• 190 visa: 50% processed in 16 months, 90% in 17 months

• 491 visa: 50% processed in 17 months, 90% in 23 months

• 482 visa (Short and Medium Term): 50% in 1 month, 90% in 5 months

• 186 Transition Pathway: 50% in 6 months, 90% in 14 months

• 820 Provisional Onshore Partner visa: 50% processed in 12 months, 90% in 26 months

• 801 Permanent Onshore Partner visa: 50% processed in 11 months, 90% in 30 months

Check all the visa processing times here. 

Do you need help to apply for an Australian Visa?

If you need assistance with applying for an Australian visa, please contact us.

You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.

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.

Book an Appointment

Sources: 

https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/improving-sustainability-international-education

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/working-in-australia/skillselect/invitation-rounds

https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-processing-times/global-visa-processing-times

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/enrolling-medicare-if-youre-temporary-resident-covered-ministerial-order?context=60092

https://www.vetassess.com.au/news/shorter-assessment-times-for-professional-and-general-occupations