Australian immigration
Stay up to date with the latest immigration news and analysis from Australia
Check out our regular updates on new legislation and policy announcements impacting global mobility programs.
2025-2026 Federal Budget insights
With an election around the corner, the Albanese Government handed down its Federal Budget on Tuesday 25 March 2025. This Alert addresses the workforce tax, payroll and immigration measures announced.
From a global mobility perspective, there were limited announcements - highlighting the Government’s clear focus on domestic priorities this year. Read more››
Income thresholds for Skills in Demand Visa program to increase from 1 July 2025
With effect from 1 July 2025, the income thresholds for the Core Skills and Specialist streams of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa program will be increased to A$76,515 and $141,210 respectively.
In addition, the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate is also increasing from 1 July 2025 from 11.5% to 12%. If your organisation pays your Skills in Demand (subclass 482) or Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visa holders from an offshore payroll, or if superannuation is included as part of a total remuneration package, please take particular note to ensure that their approved earnings are not inadvertently reduced. Read more››
Skills in Demand Visa program commencing 7 December 2024
The Australian Government has registered the amending regulations to implement the new Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa program which will commence on 7 December 2024. Key features of the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa in comparison to the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa program include a single occupation list for the ‘Core Skills’ stream of the Skills in Demand visa and ‘Direct Entry’ stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme Subclass 186 visa, reduction of qualifying work experience to one-year for all visa applicants and the ability to count time spent working with any sponsoring employer towards the permanent residence requirement for the ‘Temporary Residence Transition’ stream of the Subclass 186 visa. Read more››
Core Skills Occupation List released ahead of Skills in Demand commencement on 7 December 2024
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has today released the Core Skills Occupation List which will apply to the ‘Core Skills’ stream of the new Skills in Demand visa program as well as the ‘Direct Entry’ stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa. The Department of Home Affairs has also confirmed that the new Skills in Demand visa program and new National Innovation Visa will commence on 7 December 2024, although the amending regulations are yet to be registered. Read more››
New Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme Commences
The Australian Government has launched a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) allowing Indian graduates and early career professionals with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to two years. MATES will commence as a pilot program with 3,000 places for primary applicants per program year. Read more››
New details on the Skills in Demand visa released
The Department of Home Affairs provided an update on the incoming Skills in Demand visa at a Migration Institute of Australia Conference last week. As outlined in our earlier alerts, the Skills in Demand visa will replace the current Temporary Skills Shortage (subclass 482) visa (TSS visa) by the end of 2024. Read more››
Visa Applicant Charge increases and other changes from 1 July 2024
From 1 July 2024, Visa Application Charges for Australian visas have been increased to align with the forecast Consumer Price Index. Read more››
Amendments to Temporary Skill Shortage and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa work conditions to commence from 1 July 2024
From 1 July, Temporary Skill Shortage, Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional and Temporary Work (Skilled) visa holders who have ceased working with their sponsoring employer will have additional time to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or depart Australia. Read more››
Student visa measures to restrict ‘visa hopping’; Commencement of Working Holiday Visa changes for UK Citizens
From 1 July, visitor visa, Temporary Graduate and certain other temporary visa holders will be unable to apply for a Student visa whilst onshore in Australia. Also, from 1 July UK citizens will be able to apply for a second or third Working Holiday visa without needing to do a period of specified (regional) work. Read more››
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to increase from 1 July 2024
With effect from 1 July 2024, the current Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) which applies to Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (subclass 494) visas will increase from A$70,000 to A$73,150. This will impact all nominations and visas lodged on or after 1 July 2024. In addition, the superannuation guarantee (SG) rate is also increasing from 1 July 2024 from 11% to 11.5%. Read more››
2024-25 Federal Budget insights
The Albanese Government handed down its Federal Budget on Tuesday 14 May 2024 focusing on tackling inflation and addressing cost of living pressures. Similar to last year, many of the measures affecting the workforce had already been announced, resulting in minimal surprises in the Budget. Read more››
Draft Core Skills Occupation List released - consultation period now open
Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) has created a draft Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which will form part of the new Skills in Demand visa. The consultation period for the CSOL is now open. We invite you to contribute through Vialto’s survey here. Read more››
Enhanced migrant worker protection provisions to commence from 1 July 2024
Improving measures to tackle the exploitation of migrant workers and uphold fair wages and working conditions has become a key focus in Australia's migration reform strategy. The recent passage of the Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Act 2023, which has now received Royal Assent and will commence on 1 July 2024, marks a significant step forward in reinforcing employer compliance with Australian migration laws. Read more››
Australia Final Migration Strategy released
The much anticipated final Migration Strategy has today been unveiled by the Minister for Home Affairs, including details of the new 4-year Skill in Demand visa which will replace the Temporary Skilled Shortage visa program. Read more››
Update to LMT advertising requirements from 10 December 2023
From 10 December 2023, Labour Market Testing requirements for Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) nominations have been amended to remove the requirement for at least one advertisement to be placed on the Government's Workforce Australia website. Read more››