From 7 December 2024, full-time, sponsored employment undertaken in the occupation in Australia on a 457/482 visa can be counted towards the ENS 186 work experience requirement of 2 years. This change means that if a 457/482 visa holder changes Sponsors, their time towards the 2 years does not re-set. Previously, the work experience requirement only allowed time spent in the position i.e. with the same employer (with limited exceptions for certain occupations and employment with associated entities) to be counted towards the 2 years.

From 7 December 2024, the minimum relevant work experience requirement for applicants in all streams has been reduced from two (2) years to one (1) year of full-time employment (or equivalent part-time or casual employment) within the nominated occupation or a related field within 5 years ending immediately before the day the application is made.

The Skills in Demand (SID) Subclass 482 visa program was introduced on 7 December 2024, amending the previous Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 visa program.

The SID Subclass 482 visa program consists of 3 streams: Specialist Skills stream; Core Skills stream; and Labour Agreement stream.

It offers temporary visas valid for up to 4 years (Hong Kong passport holders may stay up to 5 years).

NB. OSCA (Occupation Standard Classification for Australia) replaced ANZSCO (Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations) in December 2024.

STREAM 1: Specialist Skills Stream

This stream is for applicants nominated for any OSCA occupation, excluding occupations in OSCA Major Groups 3, 7 and 8 which encompasses Technicians and Trade Workers, Machinery Operators and Drivers and Labourers.

An applicant under this stream must be paid an income above the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of AUD$135,000 per annum. This Income Threshold will be indexed annually.

STREAM 2: Core Skills Stream

This stream is for applicants who will be nominated for an occupation found on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

An applicant under this stream must be paid an income above the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) of AUD$73,150 per annum. This Income Threshold will be indexed annually.

STREAM 3: Labour Agreement Stream

This stream is for applicants nominated by employers who have a Labour Agreement developed between the Australian Government (represented by the Department of Home Affairs) and the employer.

From 1 July 2024, new and existing 482, 494 and 457 visa holders who have stopped working for their sponsoring employer will have more time to find a new Sponsor.

Visa holders will have 180 days at a time or a maximum of 365 days in total across their entire visa grant period AND during this time, visa holders can work for other employers, including work outside of their nominated occupation.

This change will allow visa holders to support themselves while they look for a new Sponsor.

On 25 November 2023, the Australian Government made changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Subclass 482 and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visas to provide a simpler and clearer pathway to permanent residence.

 Nominated occupations will no longer be assessed against skilled migration occupation lists (STSOL and MLTSSL), meaning that Sponsors will be able to nominate all employees for permanent residence, including those TSS 482 visa holders under the short-term stream.

Further, employees will need to have held a TSS 482 visa for 2 out of the 3 years before Nomination (reduced from the previous 3-year requirement).

 All other requirements for ENS must be met, including English and Age (unless exempt).

The 'COVID' 408 visa was introduced to assist visa holders in Australia, and Australian businesses, as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The program was closed to new applications on 2 September 2023. 

The program will remain open to existing 408 visa holders until the program fully closes by 1 February 2024.  408 visas will be granted for a term of 6 months. Visa Application Charges will apply.

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) was increased from AUD$53,900 per annum to AUD$70,000 per annum from 1 July 2023.

PLEASE NOTE THAT AS OF 2023, THESE CHANGES HAVE NOT YET BEEN INTRODUCED BY HOME AFFAIRS

From late 2021, new Partner visa applicants AND Permanent Resident Sponsors will be required to have functional level English or to demonstrate that they have made reasonable efforts to learn English such as through the completion of free English language classes through the Adult Migration English Program (AMEP).

Most Partner visas are a provisional visa of two (2) years before becoming eligible for a permanent visa. The requirement will have to be met at the time of granting the permanent visa.

These changes, as stated by The Hon Alan Tudge MP, Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, are aimed towards enhancing social cohesion and economic participation outcomes:

“While the ability to speak multiple languages is a great asset for an individual and for Australia, a person will struggle to fully participate in our society and democracy without basic English. These new measures will provide further opportunity for migrants and new citizens to maximise their opportunities in Australia.”

Media Release is available here: https://minister.homeaffairs.gov.au/alantudge/Pages/New-requirement-to-learn-English-to-maximise-job-prospects.aspx