Visa applications from Healthcare or Teaching Occupations now prioritised by the Department
Australia is currently prioritising applications concerning healthcare and teaching occupations according to the new Ministerial Direction No 100 that came into effect on 28 October 2022. This also includes offshore permanent and provisional applications to allow more workers to enter Australia and ease critical workforce shortages. Due to the high volume of applications, the Department […]
Australian Visa Application Charges have increased
Visitors and migrants now have to pay more for their Australian visa application fees. The government has announced a price hike starting July 1st on its latest budget paper to help improve visa processing and “other government priorities”. “Visa Application Costs (VACs) will increase by six percentage points for visa applications, as well as an […]
Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia to nominate more skilled workers for 2022-23
The Department of Home Affairs has made minor adjustments to state allocations for Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia as the Albanese government is determined to meet its permanent migration intake target for 2022-2023. Victoria has received an additional 1,400 places for the Skilled Nominated category (Subclass 190) making it the state with the highest number of allocations for […]
Expanded PR pathways available for TSS 482 visa holders by the end of 2023
On 27 April 2023, the Albanese Government shared a media release announcing the expanded PR pathways for all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa holders within its existing capped permanent program. By the end of 2023, the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme SC 186 will be amended. “Providing pathways to permanent residency for […]
Variation to the FNQ DAMA allows more applications from foreign workers
Far North Queensland region (FNQ) is ready to welcome foreign workers looking for long-term full-time jobs with pathways to permanent residence in a wide range of occupations! The variation to the FNQ Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) has commenced. An updated version of the FNQ occupations, concessions list and information guides are available on the Cairns Chamber […]
South Australia’s 2022-23 GSM program to prioritise nominations for skilled migrants
South Australia’s 2022-23 GSM program has originally been given 8000 nomination places for the visa subclasses 190 and 491. The Department of Home Affairs has recently given 800 more places for the state to meet the targets for the ongoing program year. South Australia has also released an updated skilled occupation list. The list outlines the skills SA’s […]
Changes made to Northern Territory Offshore Migration Occupation List
The Northern Territory is now welcoming offshore skilled applicants. Changes have been made to its Offshore Migration Occupation List for 190/491 visas. The changes include providing evidence of Australian licensing/registration and communication skills that meet the licensing or registration requirements. This Offshore Migration Occupation List only applies to those applying for NT nomination outside Australia, under the Priority Occupation […]
Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold increased to $70,000 from July 1
For the first time in a decade, Australia will finally increase the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) from AUD 53,900 to AUD 70,000 starting July 1, 2023. “The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold was frozen for a decade by the former Liberal Government, including the six years where Peter Dutton was Minister. This is not fair […]
Department of Home Affairs cautions visa applicants about scammers
The Australian Department of Home Affairs has warned about several scam calls appearing to come from one of its hotline numbers. Any calls from 02 6289 1555 are a scam. According to the reports received by ACCC’s Scamwatch, scammers are using new technology by making the call appear to come from an organisation’s legitimate phone number. […]
Medical requirements temporarily waived for eligible visa applicants
The Australian Government is streamlining requirements for its temporary visa applicants. Medical requirements are temporarily waived for eligible visa applicants onshore. Temporary visa applicants in Australia will still be required to undertake relevant medical examinations and/or chest x‐rays if they: Applicants must complete questions on their form truthfully. If the Department is made aware of false […]