WA State Nominated Migration Program Places Allocation
Following successful negotiations with the Commonwealth Government Department of Home Affairs (Home Affairs), Western Australia will be allocated 5,000 state nominated migration places for the 2024-25 program year. Invitation rounds for State nominated visas subclass 190 and 491 for the 2024-25 program year will begin once the Western Australian Government formally receives its allocation from Home Affairs. […]
Changes to Visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 from 1 July
From 1 July visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 are changing to help tackle worker exploitation and drive productivity as was outlined within the Migration Strategy. Temporary Work (Skilled) (Sc 457) visa holders, Temporary Skill Shortage (Sc 482) visa holders and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) (Sc 494) visa holders who stop working with their […]
WA DAMA. Launch of the Western Australia Designated Area Migration Agreement Program
The Western Australian Government has successfully negotiated the establishment of a The Western Australian Government has successfully negotiated the establishment of a Western Australian Designated Area Migration Agreement (WA DAMA) with the Commonwealth Government. This is in response to the strong demand that still exists from employers to fill jobs in key areas of demand […]
MATES – Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early Professionals Scheme
On 23 May 2023, Australia and India entered into a Migration and Mobility PartnershipArrangement (MMPA). The MMPA is a bilateral framework that supports and promotes two-waymigration and mobility between our two countries while addressing issues pertaining to illegal andirregular migration.The Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme or ‘MATES’ is a new scheme,established under the MMPA, […]
Temporary Skill (subclass 482) visa – work experience reduced
The Government will reduce the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa from two years to one year for all applicants from 23 November 2024 onwards
Closure of the Business Innovation and Investment visa program
The Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will cease, with refunds of the visa application charge provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their BIIP application. (Budget paper 2, p 136).
Graduate visa program – change of age limit proposed 1 July 2024
Graduate Work stream The Graduate Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Vocational Education Work stream. The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under. Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of […]
Increased level of English for student and graduate visas
The minimum test score for the for the English proficiency requirement increases from International English language Testing System (IELTS) 5.5. to 6.0 (or equivalent) The minimum score to undertake a packaged English Language Intenstive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS) course increases from IELTS 4.5 to 5.0 (or equivalent) Students undertaking recognised university foundation or pathway programs that deliver […]
Migration Program Planning Levels 2023 – 24
2023–24 Permanent Migration Program On 9 May 2023, the Australian Government announced that the planning level for the 2023–24 permanent Migration Program will be set at 190,000 places. The Government has designed the 2023–24 permanent Migration Program to address persistent and emerging skills shortages and to attract people with specialist skillsets that are difficult […]
Closure of Subclass 408 COVID Pandemic Event Visa
The Subclass 408 COVID Pandemic event visa was closed to new applicants on 2 September 2023. From 2 September, only existing Subclass 408 visa holders would be able to apply for another 408 visa, but this too will end when the stream closes completely in February 2024. A Subclass 408 visa ‘renewal’ will now cost AU$405.00 […]