You've been patiently waiting, and now the moment has finally arrived. The 1st of July brings a flurry of significant changes to Australia's immigration policies, and at New World Immigration, we are committed to keeping you informed and prepared. This year, we see a range of updates from increased income thresholds to new visa conditions and mandatory health assessments. Dive in as we break down everything you need to know to successfully navigate the evolving immigration landscape in the second half of 2024.

Increase to TSMIT

The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) is set to increase from $70,000 to $73,150, effective 1 July 2024. This adjustment aligns with the government's commitment to better align skilled migration thresholds with market conditions. New nomination applications must meet the new TSMIT or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. Existing visa holders and nominations lodged before this date will not be affected.

Mandatory Hepatitis B Testing

The new Migration (Required Medical Assessment) Amendment Instrument mandates hepatitis B testing for applicants from high-risk jurisdictions. This requirement applies to both provisional and permanent visa applicants aged 15 years or older from countries not listed in the low-risk category.

Restriction on Onshore Visa Hopping

To curb visa hopping, temporary visa holders, including visitor and temporary graduate visa holders, will no longer be able to apply for student visas while onshore. This measure aims to reduce the continuous extension of temporary stays without a clear path to permanent residency.

Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) – Automotive Occupations Assessments

Trades Recognition Australia has updated its assessment process for automotive occupations. Qualified applicants from certain countries with comparable qualification frameworks can now opt for the less complex and cheaper MSA program instead of the mandatory OSAP assessment.

Attaching Additional Documents in ImmiAccount

For those who have reached the document limit in ImmiAccount, the Department has introduced an online form to attach additional documents for specific visa subclasses, including Student, Business Innovation, and Skilled visas.

Federal Court and Tribunal Fee Increases

From 1 July 2024, application fees for reviews by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal will increase. For instance, the fee for migration decision reviews will rise to $3,496, with a 50% reduction available in some cases.

Changes to Visa Conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608

Visa holders under the Temporary Work, Temporary Skill Shortage, and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visas will have extended periods to find new sponsors or apply for different visas if they stop working with their current sponsors. This change provides up to 180 days at a time, or a maximum of 365 days in total, during which visa holders can work for other employers.

Partner and Prospective Partner Visa Amendments

Significant amendments have been made to the Migration Amendment (Family Violence Provisions for Partner Visa Applicants) Regulations 2024. These changes include relaxed requirements for visa holders in cases of relationship cessation due to death, child of relationship, or family violence.

Work and Holiday Visa for Philippines Passport Holders

From 1 July 2024, holders of valid passports from the Republic of the Philippines will be eligible to apply for a Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa, expanding opportunities for cultural exchange and temporary work.

Changes to Temporary Graduate (Subclass 485) Visa

The Graduate Work stream will be renamed the Post-Vocational Education Work stream, with eligibility extended to those holding an associate degree, diploma, or trade qualification. The Post-Study Work stream will become the Post-Higher Education Work stream, allowing graduates with higher education degrees to apply.

Workplace Justice Visa

A new Workplace Justice Visa (WJV) will be introduced as a pilot program, allowing temporary migrants facing workplace exploitation to remain in Australia while their case is addressed. This visa will generally be granted for 6 to 12 months and will carry no visa application charge.

Visa Application Charges Increase

With these changes in mind, the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced an increase in Visa Application Charges, taking effect from the 1st of July 2024.

Please see the fee updates below:

These changes mark a significant shift in Australia's migration policies, aiming to better align with the nation's economic needs, enhance worker protections, and streamline visa processes. Stay tuned for further updates as more information becomes available.