What’s in the 2024-25 Federal Budget for Immigration?
Date: 27 May 2024 On 14 May 2024, the Australian Government announced that the planning levels for the 2024–25 permanent Migration Program (Migration Program) will be set at 185,000 places. The Migration Program Planning Level refers to the number of visas the Australian government plans to issue each financial year. For 2024-25, the program is […]
TOEFL iBT is now accepted for all Australian visas as of May 5th, 2024
Date: 11 May 2024 Educational Testing Service (ETS) has announced that the TOEFL iBT test will once again be valid for Australian visa applications starting May 5, 2024. In July last year, DHA temporarily stopped accepting TOEFL iBT following changes to the structure of the exam. Therefore, TOEFL iBT tests that were completed between 26 July 2023 and […]
Student Visa Financial Requirements Increased from 10 May Onwards
Date: 10 May 2024 The Australian Government has announced an increase in the financial capacity requirement for Student and Student Guardian visas effective from 8 May 2024. This adjustment will affect visa applications submitted on or after 10 May 2024. BACKGROUND The adjustment in the financial capacity requirement is aimed at ensuring that students have […]
Draft Core Skills Occupations List now available for Consultation
Date: 03 May 2024 Jobs and Skills Australia has released the draft Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) for consultation, indicating that changes to the visa application process are near. BACKGROUND The Australian Government released its Migration Strategy on December 11, 2023. The Strategy aims to strengthen the visa system, address skills needs, and promote worker […]
Proposed Changes to the Temporary Graduate Visa Program
Date: 03 May 2024 Changes to the Subclass 485 – Temporary Graduate Visa Program – proposed 01 July 2024 Australia’s Temporary Graduate visa program is undergoing major changes, as outlined in the recent Migration Strategy announced by the Australian Government. These changes are set to be implemented from July 1, 2024, subject to legislative approval. […]
Parent Visas Capped for FY 2023-2024: What You Need to Know
Date: 03 April 2024 Migration (Granting of Contributory Parent Visas, Parent Visas and Other Family Visas During Financial Year 2023-2024) Instrument (LIN 24/004) 2024 came into effect today. This legislative instrument sets caps for visas as below: 1️⃣ Contributory Parent visas at 6,800 2️⃣ Parent visas at 1,700, and 3️⃣ Other Family visas at 500. […]
“No further stay” conditions on visitor visas
Date: 24 March 2024 The Department will increase imposition of “no further stay” conditions on visitor visas To avoid using visitor visas to subvert offshore student visa integrity checks, the Government will increase the imposition of no further stay condition on visitor visas. The Department has advised that if a prospective student is offshore and looking […]
Genuine Student (GS) Assessment
Date: 18 March 2024 Genuine Student (GS) Assessment will replace the GTE requirement for student visas from 23 March 2024 Previously, as part of student visa (subclass 500) applications, individuals were required to submit a personal statement addressing the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement. However, following the Migration Strategy announcement on 11 December 2023, the […]
Australian English Language Requirements Set to Increase
Date: 15 Jan 2024 The Government has increased the demand for English Language proficiency for international students. From early 2024, 485 visa the required test score for a Temporary Graduate visa will increase from an IELTS score (or equivalent) of 6 to 6.5. Temporary Graduate Visa- English Requirement Changes From early 2024, 485 visa the […]
COVID-19 visa set to end in February 2024.
Date: 31 August 2023 The Albanese Labor Government has announced that they will be closing Subclass 408 – Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event). Starting from 2 September 2023, the Subclass 408 visa will only be open to applications from existing Pandemic Event visa holders, with new applications only receiving a six-month visa. All […]