The Department of Home Affairs released the ‘Migration Strategy’ on 11 December 2023 outlining a significant migration law reform and an action plan to roll out the changes over the next 12 months.
Some of the changes scheduled in the action plan have come into effect such as an increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) to AUD73,150 from AUD70,000 from 1 July 2024.
Furthermore, TSS visa holders under the short-term stream now have a pathway to permanent residence thanks to the change introduced on 1 July 2024.
However, we are yet to see the proposed additional changes that are going to come through in the coming months, which will change the current landscape of the skilled migration program.
The Department has indicated that there will be three tiers of the skilled migration pathways as follows:
Tier 1: Specialist Skills Pathway
This is for highly skilled professionals whose annual earning is above AUD135,000.
There won’t be a specific occupation list. However, low skill level occupations are likely to be excluded.
As this pathway will be prioritised, the anticipated processing time is around 7 days.
Tier 2: Core Skills Pathway
This pathway is for migrants whose annual earning is above TSMIT (currently AUD73,150).
There will be a consolidated occupation list which will be managed by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA). *The occupation list is currently under review by JSA.
Tier 3: Essential Skills Pathway
This pathway is designed to accommodate specific sectors that need skilled migrants in lower paying jobs.
As the reform is to make the visa program more streamlined and simpler for Australian businesses and migrants to navigate the process, there are also anticipated changes in the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF), LMT evidence and extending the visa period up to 4 years regardless of type of visa.
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