In the past few months, we have seen many migration changes in Australia, and they may confuse individuals planning to embark on a migration journey. We understand that staying updated can be challenging, but this article is here to help.

We have partnered with the experts at Bravo Migration to make the latest migration updates simple to understand and help you make informed decisions when it comes to your journey to Australia. Their expertise and insights will make the changes clear and ensure that you have the necessary knowledge to navigate the migration process smoothly.

Read about 6 Recent Australian Migration Changes you should know about.

1 – Student Visa Work Permission will change back to reduced/part-time hours

In January 2022, the Australian government announced a temporary relaxation of the work limitations imposed on Student Visa holders. Starting from that date, all Student Visa holders, including their adult family members/dependents, were allowed to work unlimited hours.

Starting from July 1st, 2023, things will go back to normal. The number of hours a Student Visa holder is allowed to work will be limited again. However, instead of reverting back to the previous limit of 40 hours per fortnight, the government has increased it to 48 hours per fortnight.

2 – All Sponsorship Visa Holders will have the opportunity to apply for Permanent Residence and more!

By the end of 2023, all Sponsorship Visa Holders in Australia will be eligible to apply for the Permanent Employer Nomination 186 visa, regardless of whether their occupation is on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) or the Short-term Skilled Occupation List (STSOL). 

Moreover, instead of having to work for the same sponsoring employer for 3 years, Sponsorship Visa holders could become eligible for permanent residence after 2 years. 

Additionally, the timeframe for sponsorship visa holders to find new sponsorship when they are no longer employed by their original sponsor will be increased from 60 days to 6 months, with guaranteed work rights during that period.

3 – The minimum salary requirement for the Sponsorship Visa 482 TSS will be increased

Starting from July 1st, 2023, the minimum salary package required for the Sponsorship 482 TSS visa will be raised from $53,900 to $70,000. This is known as Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) and it hasn’t been adjusted for the past 10 years. The government believes that this increase reflects what the salary package would be if it had been adjusted annually.

4 – Graduate Visa 485 updates: two-year extension plus end of concessions

Starting from July 1st, 2022, all international students who complete a 2-year Diploma or Trade Certificate in any occupation at a VET college will be eligible to apply for a 2-year Graduate Visa 485 under the Graduate Work Stream. This update applies to all applicants, regardless of whether their occupation is listed on the MLTSSL or not.

However, from July 1st, 2023, this concession will come to an end. Applicants will be required to nominate a skilled occupation on the Medium and Long-Term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL) and provide a positive skills assessment to apply for the Graduate Visa 485 under the Graduate Work Stream.

On top of that, Australian government has also announced ​a two-year extension of post-study work rights for international graduates in select degrees that are in areas of verified skill shortage, as follows:

• Four years for Bachelor degree graduates, up from two years previously.
• Five years for Master’s degree graduates, up from three years previously.
• Six years for PhD graduates, up from four years previously.

5 – Aged Care workers can now be sponsored on a TSS 482 Visa

A new labour agreement has been announced to streamline the recruitment process for Aged Care workers from overseas in Australia’s Aged Care Industry. Employers of Personal Care Assistants, Nursing Support Workers, Aged or Disabled Carers, and Therapy Aides will now have the option to apply for a TSS 482 Sponsorship Visa to retain their workers in the country.

The Sponsorship Visa allows professionals to live and work in Australia for up to four years and provides an opportunity to apply for permanent residence through the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) after two years of full-time work experience in the country.

6 – Sponsoring UK citizens will become easier and faster

As a result of a new Free Trade Agreement between Australia and the UK, employers will no longer be required to undergo Labour Market Testing when sponsoring UK citizens.

Labour Market Testing is a requirement for sponsored visas as it ensures that employers have attempted to find an Australian worker to fill the position before hiring a foreign worker. The removal of this prerequisite will simplify and expedite the process of sponsoring UK citizens to work in Australia, addressing skills shortages.
Maximize your chances of Migrating to Australia: Consult with our trusted partner, Bravo Migration. With 15 years of extensive experience, their team of highly skilled Migration Agents has successfully assisted over 7500 individuals in achieving their dream of migrating to Australia. Take the first step towards your Australian journey and contact Bravo Migration today!

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