Image Credit: Samantha Blackett
Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025
From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%.
This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE). This delivers on the commitment outlined in the Migration Strategy, as recommended by the Migration Review.
From 1 July 2025, indexation changes will be as follows:
The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) will increase from AUD73,150 to AUD76,515. This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation.
New nomination applications from 1 July 2025 must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
Find Out More: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1308
Designated Area Migration Agreement – A feasibility study in NSW
Developing a Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Regional NSW.
The NSW Government is conducting a feasibility study to determine the most effective model for a DAMA in regional NSW.
As part of this study, we are gathering industry insights through the Industry Needs Survey to better understand immediate and mid-term skilled migration needs.
Find Out More: https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/dama
Smoother road to permanent residence for skilled sponsored workers
Skilled migrants in occupations of national shortage now have a smoother path to stay in Australia permanently.
From 7 December 2024, changes have been made to the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. The changes relate to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Direct Entry (DE) streams. They deliver on the Government’s commitment to offer clearer pathways to permanent residence, as outlined in the Migration Strategy.
Find out more: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1273
Important changes to skilled visa program begin
A modernised skilled occupation list and a new Skills in Demand (SID) visa are included in changes to Australia’s skilled visa program begin on 7 December 2024.
The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. The SID allows most visa holders to stay in Australia for up to 4 years. It offers a streamlined process for both migrants and employers needing more skilled workers to grow their businesses. SID visa holders have a clear pathway to permanent residence. This will give certainty to both migrants and employers.
Find out more: https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1272
New Core Skills Occupation List to target the skills Australia needs
On 3 December 2024, the Australian Government announced the release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The new CSOL fulfils the Government’s commitment to replace complex, out of date and inflexible occupation lists in our temporary skilled visa program. The CSOL is a single consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) that provides access to temporary skilled migration for 456 occupations.
Find out more: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1269
Workers filling regional skills gaps given access to free public schooling
The NSW Government will waive tuition fees for children of parents holding Temporary Skill Shortage visas
Families moving to regional NSW to fill skills shortages will be able to access a free public education for their children as the NSW Government removes costly tuition fees for parents holding Temporary Skill Shortage visas.
Find out more: https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/workers-filling-regional-skills-gaps-given-access-to-free-public
Australian Government - Migration, Pathway to Nation Building
Joint Standing Committee on Migration Report
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration has released its landmark Migration, Pathway to Nation Building report, concluding a nearly two-year inquiry into Australia's migration system. This report, with 73 key recommendations, highlights the critical role of migration in nation-building and proposes significant reforms.
Read the Report: Joint Standing Committee on Migration - Migration, Pathway to Nation Building
Home Affairs - Review of Regional Migration Settings
Supporting Strong and Sustainable Regions Discussion Paper
The governments 2023 Migration Strategy outlined their intentions to 'evaluate regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure migration supports development objectives in regional Australia and does not contribute to the exploitation of migrant workers'. The discussion paper is out now.
For more information visit: Review of Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper
Home Affairs - Review of the Points Test
Review of the points test discussion paper
The governments 2023 Migration Strategy outlined their intentions to “explore a reformed points test to better identify migrants to drive Australia’s long-term prosperity”. The discussion paper is out now.
For more information visit: Review of the points test discussion paper
Federal Government
A Migration Strategy for Australia
Australia now has a strategy for its migration system.
The Government’s Migration Strategy was released on 11 December 2023 and outlines a new vision for Australia’s migration system, with a policy roadmap containing 8 key actions and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. The Migration Strategy builds on the findings of the first comprehensive review of the migration system in a generation, the 2023 Review of the Migration System (the Parkinson Review), and also the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System (the Nixon Review).
More information on the Government’s Migration Strategy can be found here: Migration Strategy (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Labour Market Testing
Removal of the Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirement to Advertise on the Workforce Australia Website.
On 11 December 2023, Migration (LIN 18/036: Period, manner and evidence of labour market testing) Instrument 2018 has been updated to remove the requirement for employers to advertise on the Workforce Australia website. This change will apply to subclass 482 and 494 nomination applications and will allow employers greater flexibility in relation to how they undertake LMT.
For more information, visit: Labour market testing.