Important Australian immigration updates are set to take effect from 1 July 2024. These updates span various visa categories and visa conditions, impacting both prospective applicants and current visa holders.
Here’s a breakdown of the key Australian immigration updates effective from 1 July 2024:
- Working Holiday Visa (WHV) for UK Passport Holders: Great news for UK citizens on a Working Holiday Visa! Starting 1 July 2024, you no longer need to fulfill regional work requirements to apply for your second and third Working Holiday Visas.
- Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT): The FWHIT is being increased from the 1st of July. So if are over 45 years old and you are being nominated by your employer for either the subclass 494 or 186 visa, you will need to meet the new minimum salary threshold of $175,000.
- Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT): The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold is being raised to $73,150 from the 1st of July. Any nominations lodged after this date will need to meet this new minimum salary requirement.
- Visa ‘Hopping’ Restrictions: Visitor and Temporary Graduate visa holders will no longer be able to apply directly for a Student Visa while onshore in Australia.
- Temporary Graduate Visa Age Limit: The maximum age for applying for a temporary graduate visa has been reduced to 35 years old. Noting this is a time of application criteria.
- Increased Visa Application Charges: Expect higher visa application fees effective July 1st, although specific figures are yet to be finalised.
- Flexibility for Subclass 457, 482 and 494 visa holders: Starting from 1 July 2024, the Department of Home Affairs will implement updates to various visa conditions in relation to the Subclass 457, 482, and 494 visas. These amendments will allow visa holders extended flexibility when changing employers. This will allow them to stop working for their sponsoring employer for up to 180 days at a time and a maximum time of 365 days in total over their entire visa grant period.
It is important to note that:
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- During this period, visa holders are permitted to engage in employment with different employers across any occupation. It is crucial that they first terminate their current employment with their sponsoring employer.
- Sponsors are required to promptly notify the Department of any changes to a visa holders employment status within 28 days.
- These amendments impact both current visa holders and individuals who are granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024.
If these changes affect yourself or an employee at your business, please don’t hesitate to GET IN TOUCH with our team
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