The Australian Migration Strategy is designed to ensure that migrants fully enjoy the benefits of living and working in Australia and are not vulnerable to exploitation.
From early 2024, the requirements will be increased to IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for Temporary Graduate visa applicants.
The extension of post-study work rights will only be available for applicants who studied in a regional area.
Temporary Graduate visa applicants must be under 35, down from the current age limit of 50.
The Department outlines that this will reposition the visa as a product for early career professionals who can contribute to the Australian economy over a longer period.
The duration of an initial TGV will be shorter. TGV length under new settings will be reduced from:
TGV streams will be re-named as:
to be more descriptive for the relevant applicants. The ‘Replacement Stream’ of the TGV and the subclass 476 visa will be abolished.
TGV processing times for the ‘Post-Higher Education Work Stream’ will be backed by a 21-day service standard,
TGV processing times for the ‘Post-Higher Education Work Stream’ will be backed by a 21-day service standard,
The work experience requirement for a Temporary Skills Shortage visa (and future Skills in Demand visa) will be changed to give TGV holders more opportunity to move on to a skilled visa.
Proposed reforms to the points test will also give graduates working in skilled jobs faster pathways to permanent residency.
The below changes are in addition to closing the loophole that allowed international students to switch to lower-quality education providers for work purposes before studying & increasing the required savings for student visas to $24,505, a 17% rise reflecting higher living expenses, closing a gap since 2019.
From early 2024, the Government will increase English language requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas:
The government will implement a new Genuine Student test for international students, encouraging genuine applicants and deterring those primarily seeking work rather than study. This test replaces the Genuine Temporary Entrant requirement.
To complement the introduction of the new Genuine Student test, the government will invest $19 million to bolster the student visa integrity unit in Home Affairs significantly.
The government will enhance integrity, quality, entry requirements, and student support in the international education sector, specifically targeting non-genuine providers. Additionally, legislative changes will be enacted to assist regulators in addressing unscrupulous provider behaviour.
The government will enhance integrity, quality, entry requirements, and student support in the international education sector, specifically targeting non-genuine providers. Additionally, legislative changes will be enacted to assist regulators in addressing unscrupulous provider behaviour.
The Government will scrutinise international students applying for another student visa.
Using the new Genuine Student test, the Government will require any eligible students applying inside Australia to provide evidence in their application to demonstrate that any subsequent course is furthering their career or academic aspirations.
Prospective international students who cannot demonstrate this sensible course progression from their initial course of study will not meet the Genuine Student test.
The Government will restrict Temporary Graduate visa holders from transferring back to student visas while onshore. More information is yet to come in this regard.
The below changes are in addition to raising the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from $53,900 to $70,000 and providing a pathway to permanent residence for temporary skilled visa holders.
The government has revealed a forthcoming Skills in Demand visa to replace the existing TSS visa. This visa will have three pathways.
Specialist Skills Pathway
This pathway recognises highly skilled migrants as hugely beneficial to Australia’s national productivity. This pathway will:
Core Skills Pathway
The second pathway, the Core Skills Pathway, will be the largest pathway for temporary skilled migrants with a new streamlined approach for highly skilled specialists to ensure Australia can quickly and easily recruit top talent in areas of need.
There will be a simpler and regularly updated Core Skills Occupation List for occupations identified by Jobs and Skills Australia as being in shortage or occupations, and requires applicants to have earnings to be at least TSMIT, currently set at $70,000, but to be indexed annually.
Essential Skills Pathway
This pathway will outline pathways for lower-paid workers under TSMIT but with essential skills.
The government has committed to expediting visa processing for the Skills in Demand visa, with a median processing time of only 21 days.
A public register of approved sponsors will be established, disclosing the numbers and occupations of sponsored workers, allowing migrants in finding new sponsors.
The government will also explore moving employer fees to a monthly or quarterly model to reduce upfront employer costs.
Visa holders will have 180 days to find a new sponsor if they cease employment with their sponsor (up from the current 60 day period). They can also work during this period.
All visa holders will have a pathway to permanent residency, and time spent with any approved employer will count towards PR eligibility.
Graduate Visa Changes
Student Visa Changes
TSS Visa Changes
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Caroline Springs VIC 3023
Unit 7, 242-244 Caroline Springs Blvd
Caroline Springs VIC 3023
