Image Credit: Samantha Blackett
New Core Skills Occupation List to target the skills Australia needs
On 3 December 2024, the Australian Government announced the release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)
The new CSOL fulfils the Government’s commitment to replace complex, out of date and inflexible occupation lists in our temporary skilled visa program. The CSOL is a single consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) that provides access to temporary skilled migration for 456 occupations.
Find out more: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/news-media/archive/article?itemId=1269
Workers filling regional skills gaps given access to free public schooling
The NSW Government will waive tuition fees for children of parents holding Temporary Skill Shortage visas
Families moving to regional NSW to fill skills shortages will be able to access a free public education for their children as the NSW Government removes costly tuition fees for parents holding Temporary Skill Shortage visas.
Find out more: https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/workers-filling-regional-skills-gaps-given-access-to-free-public
Australian Government - Migration, Pathway to Nation Building
Joint Standing Committee on Migration Report
The Joint Standing Committee on Migration has released its landmark Migration, Pathway to Nation Building report, concluding a nearly two-year inquiry into Australia's migration system. This report, with 73 key recommendations, highlights the critical role of migration in nation-building and proposes significant reforms.
Read the Report: Joint Standing Committee on Migration - Migration, Pathway to Nation Building
Home Affairs - Review of Regional Migration Settings
Supporting Strong and Sustainable Regions Discussion Paper
The governments 2023 Migration Strategy outlined their intentions to 'evaluate regional migration settings and the Working Holiday Maker program to ensure migration supports development objectives in regional Australia and does not contribute to the exploitation of migrant workers'. The discussion paper is out now.
For more information visit: Review of Regional Migration Settings Discussion Paper
TSMIT Increase
Increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold to $73,150
From 1 July 2024, the TSMIT will increase from $70,000 to $73,150. New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $73,150 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
For more information visit: Increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) to $73,150
Home Affairs - Review of the Points Test
Review of the points test discussion paper
The governments 2023 Migration Strategy outlined their intentions to “explore a reformed points test to better identify migrants to drive Australia’s long-term prosperity”. The discussion paper is out now.
For more information visit: Review of the points test discussion paper
Draft Core Skills Occupations
Draft Core Skills Occupations List (CSOL) for Consultation
The Governments 2023 Migration Strategy outlined their plan to develop a Core Skills Occupation List. Jobs and Skills Australia has developed a draft Core Skills Occupation List for consultation.
Fore more information visit: Jobs and Skills Australia - Draft Core Skills Occupation List
DAMA Approved
RDA Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement variation approved
The Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs, the Hon Andrew Giles MP has signed off on the approved variation request for the RDA Orana DAMA to include four new RDA regions, including the Riverina, more occupations and numerous concessions. Find out more here: rdariverina.org.au/dama.
Subclass 491
Please be advised that due to changes in the 2023-2024 491 visa program all applications will be assessed directly by the NSW Government.
Please refer to the NSW Government website https://www.nsw.gov.au/visas-and-migration/skilled-visas/skilled-work-regional-visa-subclass-491 for further information.
Find out more about the Subclass 491
skilled.migration@investment.nsw.gov.au
Phone
+61 2 4908 4898
Monday to Friday
10am to 12:30pm (Sydney time)
Subclass 489
Have you recently been granted a Subclass 489 visa?
Federal Government
A Migration Strategy for Australia
Australia now has a strategy for its migration system.
The Government’s Migration Strategy was released on 11 December 2023 and outlines a new vision for Australia’s migration system, with a policy roadmap containing 8 key actions and over 25 new policy commitments and areas for future reform. The Migration Strategy builds on the findings of the first comprehensive review of the migration system in a generation, the 2023 Review of the Migration System (the Parkinson Review), and also the Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System (the Nixon Review).
More information on the Government’s Migration Strategy can be found here: Migration Strategy (homeaffairs.gov.au)
Labour Market Testing
Removal of the Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirement to Advertise on the Workforce Australia Website.
On 11 December 2023, Migration (LIN 18/036: Period, manner and evidence of labour market testing) Instrument 2018 has been updated to remove the requirement for employers to advertise on the Workforce Australia website. This change will apply to subclass 482 and 494 nomination applications and will allow employers greater flexibility in relation to how they undertake LMT.
For more information, visit: Labour market testing.
TSMIT Increase
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold Increase
From 1 July 2023, the TSMIT increased from $53,900 to $70,000. New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $70,000 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.
For more information visit: Home Affairs - News and Media