Latest News in Australian Immigration – End of the 2024 Financial Year

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.

Tourist Australia 1

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.

We have a blog with some tips on how to find a sponsor. Click here to read.

Graduate Visa Changes

From 1 July, the maximum eligible age to apply for the 485 Graduate Visa will be reduced to 35 years or under at the time of application.

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.

If you need to apply for a 485 Graduate Visa, please contact us.

Ministerial Direction

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.

Click here to check the ORANA DAMA Occupation List.

Western Australia Subsidy Up to $7,500

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.

You can find the requirements here. australian dollar bills 1

End of the Global Talent Visa and the Business Visa

The Australian Government announced that it will close the Global Talent Visa and the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) in 2024 and replace them with the new National Innovation Visa.

What is the National Innovation Visa?

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:

High-performing entrepreneurs
Major investors
Global researchers

Here you can find more information about the National Innovation Visa Australia.

Skills Assessments Updates

VETASSESS

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.