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Immigration Alert: Australian Migration Strategy Updates to Take Effect in July 2024

The Migration Reform program is gradually unfolding, with several changes set to commence from 1 July 2024.

Immigration Alert

The Migration Reform program is gradually unfolding, with several changes set to commence from 1 July 2024. While we await the announcement of more significant aspects of the program at the end of the year, here are some key updates:

Changes Effective from 1 July 2024:

1. Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT)
The minimum annual earnings for visa holders under Subclass 482, 186, and 494 will increase from $70,000 to $73,150. This means that any annual earnings and Australian market salary rate for the nominated occupation for the aforementioned visas lodged on or after 1 July 2024 must exceed $73,150 AUD. However, employers of existing visa holders will not need to adjust remuneration amounts for nominations lodged before this date.

2. Restrictions on Visa Hopping
Visitor visa holders (Subclass 600, 601, and 651) and Graduate visa holders will no longer be able to apply for a student visa from inside Australia. Individuals on these visa types wishing to obtain a student visa will need to apply from outside Australia. Additionally, new English language thresholds and a ‘genuine student test’ will be introduced for prospective student visa holders.

3. Graduate Visa Age Threshold
The age threshold for the Graduate visa will be reduced to 35 for all applicants. However, it remains at 50 for graduates with a Master’s (research) or Doctoral degree (PhD) as well as Hong Kong and British National (Overseas) passport holders.

4. Working Holiday Visas

  • UK passport holders may now be granted up to three Working Holiday visas without the requirement to undertake ‘specified subclass 417 work’. This means UK passport holders can obtain a second or third Working Holiday visa without working in a regional area.
  • The Australian Department of Home Affairs has announced an expansion of the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa program, allowing citizens of the Republic of the Philippines to participate starting 1 July 2024.
  • A visa ballot process for capped visa programs, such as the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa for applicants from China, Vietnam, and India, is anticipated to be implemented in late 2024 to 2025.

5. Subclass 482 Visa

From 23 November 2024, the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa will be reduced from two years to one year for all applicants. This is excellent news for recent graduates, as with as little as one year of work experience, you may be eligible for this pathway starting 23 November 2024!

Additional Update for Employers:

Employers should also be aware that the superannuation guarantee rate will increase to 11.5% on 1 July 2024. Sponsors should note that superannuation guarantee contributions are excluded from ‘annual earnings’. If a sponsor chooses to increase the superannuation component of their employee’s remuneration package and reduce the base salary, they may be breaching their sponsorship obligations.

Stay tuned for more updates as we approach these significant changes in Australian migration policy. If you wish to understand further details of the changes or require any assistance with your visa, please contact Michelle Collins.

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