We are now only a few weeks away from the Australian Federal Election on 3 May 2025 and are currently seeing both major political parties campaigning to reduce immigration levels. The Coalition is cracking down on both the permanent and temporary migration programs, promising to reduce the annual intake of permanent migrants from 185,000 to 140,000 people and...

While the Australian Federal Budget usually provides insights on the size and composition of the permanent migration program for the coming financial year, these planning levels were not released in this week’s Budget announcements. In response to the Federal Budget’s lack of permanent migration figures, the professional body for Migration Agents in Australia known as the Migration Institute of Australia...

Dealing with the immigration space can feel dizzying, especially when the goal is to bring a loved one to Australia from another country. Those hoping to have their partner join them should know the ins and outs of the Partner Visa Subclass 309. Couples can live and work together in peace with this visa. In...

On 14 December 2024, the Australian Government amended legislation to provide clarity on how caveats apply to eligible occupations for the Core Skills Stream of the Skills in Demand 482 Visa. This included the removal of Caveat 14 from 10 occupations (such as Chef and Corporate General Manager), which ensures that the use of these occupations is not...

Several pieces of legislation commenced last weekend to introduce the new Skills in Demand (SID) and National Innovation Visas, which are now in effect. Here’s what you should know: Features of the new Skills in Demand Visa Including Transitional Arrangements; Existing Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Holders | Changing Employers; The New Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | Occupations Added/Removed;...

Several pieces of legislation commenced last weekend to introduce the new Skills in Demand (SID) and National Innovation Visas, which are now in effect.  Here’s what you should know: Features of the new Skills in Demand Visa Including Transitional Arrangements; Existing Temporary Skills Shortage (TSS) Visa Holders | Changing Employers; The New Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) | Occupations Added/Removed;...

Legislative changes will soon allow workers to be sponsored for a Subclass 482 Visa with just one year of relevant work experience – a reduction from the previous requirement of two years. This will provide employers greater flexibility to sponsor suitably skilled and qualified workers, complementing several policy changes that were made earlier in the year for 482...

After more than a year of anticipating the rollout of the Skills in Demand Visa, the Government has today released the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL), which will provide access to employer-sponsored skilled migration across 456 occupations. The new skills list will support the rollout of the Skills in Demand Visa, which is now set to commence this Saturday, 7 December 2024 according to...

The WA Government has launched a state-wide Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA), providing WA regional and metropolitan employers greater flexibility to engage migrant workers for occupations not usually available through standard skilled migration programs. Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff 27 August 2024 The new WA DAMA may particularly benefit employers finding it difficult to fill jobs...

Following comprehensive ‘once-in-a-generation’ migration reviews undertaken in 2022 and 2023, the Government promised to ‘get the right skills in the right places’ and ensure Australia meets its skills needs in coming decades. In the past 2 years, employers have seen the emergence of niche and industry-specific visa pathways, such as the Aged-Care Labour Agreement, and...

With increasing numbers of young people looking to spend time abroad as part of gap years after University or as a break after professional qualifications spending time in Australia is increasingly popular. Working Holiday visas are the option. If you are passing through for up to three months and do not intend to work in...

Australian Migration Agents, Interstaff, set out the changes to Australian Immigration rules for the 2024/25 financial year which commenced on 1st July 2024 as well as changes they are anticipating in the year. Written by Sheila Woods (MARN: 0533879) of Interstaff 15 August 2024 The start of the financial year marks the beginning of a new program year for Australian...