In today’s blog update, we’ll be talk about the new Migration Program year (2024/25); which began on July 1, 2024, bringing significant changes to Australia’s immigration policies.
Today’s blog will uncover the following changes.
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- Upcoming Lodgement Fee Increases
- TSMIT and FWHIT Increases
- Changes to Visa Conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608
- Changes to Graduate 485 Visa and Closure of 476 Visa
- Working Holiday Maker Changes
- Deadline for Legacy 457 Visa Holders
- Infringement Notices under the SEC Act
- Changes to Student Visa Eligibility for Onshore Visitors and Graduates
- Mandatory Hepatitis B Testing
- Closure of BIIP and Introduction of National Innovation Visa
Top 10 updates you need to know.
- Upcoming Lodgement Fee Increases
Starting July 1, 2024, the Department of Home Affairs will increase lodgement fees for various visa categories. This annual adjustment also affects fees for appeals to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
- TSMIT and FWHIT Increases
The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will rise to $73,150, and the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) will increase to $175,000. These changes impact new nomination applications and criteria for employer-sponsored visas and the Global Talent Independent (GTI) program.
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- Changes to Visa Conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608
New updates to visa conditions 8107, 8607, and 8608 will affect Temporary Work (Skilled) visas (subclass 457), Temporary Skill Shortage visas (subclass 482), and Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visas (subclass 494). The changes include extended time frames for job transitions and increased sponsor responsibilities.
- Changes to Graduate 485 Visa and Closure of 476 Visa
The Temporary Graduate visa program will be updated, including renaming streams, adjusting age limits, and revising stay durations. The 476 visa will be closed.
**Check your eligibility to Australia with V&I Australia Points Calculator for free.
- Working Holiday Maker Changes
Key updates include the inclusion of Philippine nationals in the Work and Holiday (Subclass 462) visa and the removal of the specified work requirement for UK nationals to obtain their second or third Working Holiday visa.
- Deadline for Legacy 457 Visa Holders
Legacy 457 visa holders must apply for the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Subclass 186 visa by June 30, 2024, to take advantage of the age exemption.
** Willing to migrate to Australia? V&I will guide you in step by step process.
- Infringement Notices under the SEC Act
The “Strengthening Employer Compliance Act” introduces higher fines and new infringement notices for migration regulation violations, enhancing employer compliance.
- Changes to Student Visa Eligibility for Onshore Visitors and Graduates
Visitor and Graduate visa holders must apply for a Student (Subclass 500) visa from outside Australia starting July 1, 2024, to prevent “visa hopping.”
**Want to work in Australia? V&I is here to help you.
- Mandatory Hepatitis B Testing
Individuals aged 15 and older from high-risk Hepatitis B countries must undergo testing as part of their visa health examinations.
- Closure of BIIP and Introduction of National Innovation Visa
The Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) will cease new applications from July 1, 2024, making way for the new National Innovation visa expected later in 2024.
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