From 1 July 2024, the Australian Government is implementing significant immigration changes affecting various visa programs and conditions. These updates will impact sponsor businesses, skilled migrant workers, and temporary visa holders. Here is an overview of the key changes:
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) increase
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) has risen from AUD 70,000 to AUD 73,150. This increase reflects the government’s commitment to ensuring that temporary skilled workers are adequately compensated and helps protect the Australian labour market. Employers must comply with this new threshold when sponsoring skilled workers.
Changes to visa conditions for 482, 457, and 494 visas
The conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608 for visa holders under the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482), Temporary Work (Skilled) (subclass 457), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visas have changed to provide more flexibility.
Visa holders now have up to 180 days at a time, or a cumulative maximum of 365 days throughout the visa period, to secure a new sponsor, apply for a different visa, or arrange their departure from Australia. During this period, visa holders can work for other employers, including in occupations not listed in their original sponsorship nomination, to support themselves financially.
Philippines passport holders eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday (Sc 462) visa
Citizens from the Philippines aged 18-30 now have the opportunity to participate in Australia’s expanded Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa program. This visa allows them to spend up to twelve months in Australia, engaging in short-term employment and exploring the country freely. To qualify, applicants must possess a tertiary qualification or have completed at least two years of undergraduate or post-secondary education.
Visa hopping restrictions
From now, the government will restrict certain temporary visa holders from applying for a student visa while in Australia. This includes holders of the Temporary Graduate, Visitor, and Maritime Crew visas, among others. These measures aim to address the issue of ‘visa hopping,’ where former international students remain in Australia on a series of temporary visas by requiring genuine students to apply from offshore. Temporary Graduate Visa holders are encouraged to either leave Australia or seek skilled employment or other visa pathways that could lead to permanent residency.
Updates to Australia’s Temporary Graduate Visa program
Significant updates to the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485) program are now in effect, including renaming the Graduate Work Stream to the Post-Vocational Education Work Stream with an age cap of 35 years, except for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders who are eligible up to 50 years.
The Post-Higher Education Work Stream will also have an age cap of 35 years except for Masters (Research) and Doctoral Degree (PhD) graduates who are eligible up to 50 years.
The Second Post-Higher Education Work Stream will retain its structure but be renamed, and the Replacement Stream will be discontinued. These updates aim to match Australia’s evolving economic landscape and skill demands.
Please reach out to one of our migration agents at skills@mantraeducation.com.au to receive assistance with understanding the changes that will be implemented on July 1, 2024.
