Australian Visa Updates - 1 July 2024
A sweep of changes will take effect on 1 July 2024, having an impact on both sponsoring employers and visa applicants. Here, we take a quick look at most of them and what they mean to you.
TSMIT from $70,000 to $73,150
Having just increased in July 2023, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) takes another jump from $70,000 to $73,150.
After 10 years of the TSMIT sitting at $53,900 the Australian Government felt this needed to be rectified, stating that the Australian skilled migration system was being undermined with “90% of all full-time jobs in Australia are now paid more than the current TSMIT" and that the increases are “approximately where the TSMIT should have been if it had been properly indexed” throughout that time.
The new TSMIT of $73,150 will apply to TSS 482 nomination applications lodged from 1 July 2024. Applications lodged prior to, and still waiting for a decision, will not be impacted.
TSS 482, 457 and 494 Visa Changes
The visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608 are applied to the 457 visa, the TSS 482 visa, and the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) 494 visa and have placed limits on the visa holders’ ability to remain working when their sponsored employment ends, often unexpectedly, or when they take indefinite leave. Until recently, these visa holders had either 60 or 90 days to apply to have their visa transferred to a new sponsoring employer, or face visa cancellation and having to leave Australia.
As of 1 July 2024, these conditions have been relaxed, providing greater flexibility to both employers and visa holders upon the termination of their sponsored employment. Now, 457, 482 and 494 visa holders have more time to find a new sponsoring employer and within that period they are permitted to work in any field, and for any employer without first seeking approval from the Department of Home Affairs.
An application to transfer the existing visa to a new sponsoring employer, is still required. And, if the occupation changes, a new visa application will be necessary to accompany that nomination. But, this time, the visa holder may work for any business and in any position:
for up to 180 days in one block, and
no more than 365 days across the entire validity of that visa
Restriction on Student 500 Visas
In another significant change, the list of visa holders prevented from lodging onshore Student 500 visas has been extended to include Temporary Graduate 485 visa holders and Visitor visa holders.
From 1 July 2024, these visa categories join the cohort of visa holders who must be outside Australia when submitting their student visa application.
Graduate 485 Visa Program
In a number of changes to the Graduate 485 Program include:
The Graduate Work stream has been renamed the ‘Post-Vocational Education Work stream’
Age criteria
No more than 50 years of age at time of lodgement for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, and
No more than 35 years at the time of lodgement for all other applicants
The Post Study Work stream has been renamed the ‘Post-Higher Education Work stream’
Age criteria:
No more than 50 years of age at time of lodgement for Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, and Masters (Research) and Doctoral Degree graduates, and
Up to 35 years at the time of lodgement for all other applicants
Applicants who first made a student visa application on or before 5 November 2011 are no longer restricted to applying for the Post-Vocational Education Work a.k.a Graduate Work stream
UK Citizens and Working Holiday Visas
In exciting news for British passport holders, UK citizens can now apply for their second and third Working Holiday 417 visa without having to have completed specified work.
2024-25 Budget
From the 2024-25 federal budget, the Total Migration Program has reduced from 190,000 places to 185,000 with both significant increases and decreases to a number of areas within the Skilled program:
| Visa Category | Visa Name | 2023 to 2024 | 2024 to 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skilled | Employer Sponsored | 36825 | 44000 |
| Skilled Independent | 30375 | 16900 | |
| Regional | 32300 | 33000 | |
| State/Territory Nominated | 30400 | 33000 | |
| Business Innovation & Investment | 1900 | 1000 | |
| Global Talent (Independent) | 5000 | 4000 | |
| Distinguished Talent | 300 | 300 | |
| Skill Total | 137100 | 132200 | |
| Family | Partner | 40500 | 40500 |
| Parent | 8500 | 8500 | |
| Child | 3000 | 3000 | |
| Other Family | 500 | 500 | |
| Family Total | 52500 | 52500 | |
| Special Eligibility | 400 | 400 | |
| TOTAL MIGRATION PROGRAM | 190000 | 185000 |
Conclusion
With so many changes taking effect at once, it’s easy to overlook critical updates and has never been more important to get your application process right, the first time around.
For more information on these might impact you, contact us on 03 9193 9360 or infor@astraaustralia.com