Australia’s new migration strategy: The seismic changes to the Australian immigration system
/In December 2023, the Australian government released its long anticipated Migration Strategy. After extensive consultation with various stakeholders, they outlined a plan to implement significant reforms to Australia’s migration system. It has only been three months into 2024, and we have already seen parts of the Government’s strategy and plan come to fruition. In this article, we will explore some of the major changes that have already taken place in the first quarter of this year, and how these changes may affect your plans.
Final closure of the Subclass 408 COVID-19 visa
On 1 February 2024, the Subclass 408 COVID-19 pandemic event visa which helped keep critical workers employed and many businesses afloat during the pandemic, was finally closed off to all new applications. This visa was no longer required as Australia’s borders had reopened and the number of temporary migrants to Australia returned to pre-COVID levels. Anyone currently holding a Subclass 408 COVID-19 visa that is due to expire soon, is expected to apply for another visa or to depart Australia before the expiry of their current visa.
Australia’s new migration strategy: The seismic changes to the Australian immigration system.
Skills in Demand visa
A key objective of reforming Australia’s migration system is to address the nation’s workforce shortages and needs by providing a clear and more streamlined pathway for foreign skilled labour. The Department of Home Affairs will aim to achieve this by replacing the Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa with the Skills in Demand visa.
This visa will consist of three streams covering different skills sets in a number of different industries and sectors. We have outlined the main features of each stream below:
Stream 1 - Specialist Skills Pathway
Targeted at highly skilled workers
An occupations list will not apply but excludes trades workers, machinery operators and drivers, and labourers
Minimum annual salary of $135,000
Commitment to a median processing time of 7 days
Stream 2 - Core Skills Pathway
Aimed at addressing Australia’s skills shortage and workforce needs
Eligibility will be based on the Core Skills Occupations List
Minimum annual salary of $70,000
Stream 3 - Essential Skills Pathway
A pathway for lower paid workers (salary under $70,000) with essential skills
Still being considered and assessed
Details of this likely to be announced in mid-2024
The new visa will introduce a more streamlined process for labour market testing, enhance skilled workers mobility and open up permanent visa pathways for more people. If you have the necessary skills and experience in one of the above skills pathways, this could be a potential option for you. This visa is not yet available with final details and criteria expected to be announced by the Department of Home Affairs later this year.
Changes to Student and Temporary Graduate Visas
In an effort to improve the integrity of the international education sector and provide a higher quality experience for genuine students and graduates, the Department of Home Affairs has introduced and already implemented a raft of measures in recent months. These include:
Raising the minimum English requirements for new Student visa and Temporary Graduate visa applications
Ending the uncapped working hours for Student visa holders that were temporarily introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic
Replacing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for Student visa applications with the Genuine Student (GS) requirement
Announcing the end of the two year extension on post-study work rights for Temporary Graduate visa holders and applicants
We can expect further announcements to be made in the year ahead including the lowering of the age limit for new Temporary Graduate visa applicants from 50 years to 35 years, and the reduction in the visa duration for many Temporary Graduate visas. Prospective student visa applicants and recent graduates may be impacted by these recent and forthcoming changes.
Seeking immigration advice
Navigating through all these major changes and reforms can be challenging for many of us. If you need some advice to work out whether these changes will impact you and your plans, you can book an appointment with our registered migration agent.
Speak to a Registered Migration Agent today!
Peter Chang
Registered Migration Agent
Titan Migration
About Peter Chang
Peter Chang is a registered migration agent and the co-founder of Titan Migration, a consultancy specialising in providing Australian immigration advice and visa assistance services. He is a NSW Justice of the Peace and has previously worked in the Commonwealth and NSW Public Service.
