From July 1, 2022, there are several changes to the Australian Migration System. As Australia moves toward the Post-Covid19 stage, this fiscal year brings some changes that focus on economic recovery and tackling skilled labor shortages throughout many industries.
Below are some changes to expect starting July 2022:
New pathway for TSS Visa holders with occupation in Short-term list
From July 1, 2022, Australian Migration will offer skilled workers new pathways to permanent residency under the ENS visa subclass 186 Temporary Residence Transition stream. Employers will be able to nominate short-term subclass 482 TSS visa holders in two-year occupations for Permanent residence if the employee:
- is in Australia for at least 12 months between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021; and
- meets the general 186 visa criteria under the 186 temporary transition stream;
- must work for sponsor employer while holding 482 visa;
- must work for sponsor employer for a minimum of 3 years.
This pathway is designed to allow more skilled people into the labour market, and it’s open to visa holders who remained in Australia during the pandemic and contributed to the economy.
Grandfathering arrangement extended – Age exemption for 457 visa holders
The government has announced that it will extend the grandfathering arrangements in place for 457 visa holders who held or had applied for a subclass 457 visa as of 18 April 2017.
The initial grandfathering arrangement was set to end last March 2021, but the government has extended this period to give 457 visa holders access to Permanent Residence even if they do not meet the age requirement.
The following arrangements apply to the ‘protected visa cohort’:
- held a subclass 457 visa on 18 April 2017; or
- had lodged an application for a subclass 457 visa on or before 18 April 2017 that was subsequently granted.
If you are the holder of a subclass 457 visa (457 visa), subclass 482 visa (TSS visa), or related bridging visa and have worked in Australia for a certain amount of time, you will be eligible for these concessions.
Replacement Stream for Temporary Graduate visas SC 485
This stream is introduced to provide assistance for those SC 485 visa holders who were not able to stay in Australia for the full period of their previous visa due to Covid19 restriction. To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Hold, or have previously held a temporary graduate visa SC 485 that expired on or after 01 February 2020; and
- Have been outside of Australia between 1 February 2020 and 15 December 2021.
The Replacement 485 Visa has to be lodged before 1 January 2027, and it is only available to those who hold the original 485 Visa (second 485 Visa is not eligible).
Nominated Occupation and Skills Assessment are temporarily not required for Subclass 485 – Graduate Work Stream
Students will no longer be required to nominate an occupation in the Medium-Long Term Strategic Skills List and have a positive skills assessment as part of their application for a visa subclass 485 for graduate work. This is an exciting development and allows thousands of students to stay in Australia and contribute to the labour market with their Australian-trained skills.
This applies to applications lodged between 01 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 (inclusive). The Minister may extend this period and will give further notice of this extension.
Working Holiday Visa
In a bid to tackle skilled shortage, the Australian government has increased the number of visas available under the WHV program by 30 percent compared to last financial year. This means that more workers from eligible countries will be able to work and travel in Australia. This is great news for industries that heavily rely on overseas workers.
Visa Application Charges increase
From 1 July 2022, the Visa Application Charge will increase by 3%, which is in line with the consumer price index increase. The increases will be rounded to the closest $5.
Certain students need to get approval from the Minister before changing courses
To ensure that the current issue of foreign interference in Australian technology remains at a manageable level, the Australian government has imposed condition 8208 on all student visas. This new condition means that students who want to change their course or thesis relating to critical technology must get approval from the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
These provisions apply to those students already studying postgraduate research degrees at masters (research) and doctoral levels, if they intend to change their course of study, thesis or research to that relating to critical technology or not currently studying at that level but intending to change their principal course of study to a masters (research) or doctoral level.
These students don’t need to apply for a new visa or change their visa subclass, they just need to ask the Minister for approval to undertake research using critical technologies.
Critical technology related study means:
- a postgraduate research course that relates to critical technology;
- a bridging course required as a prerequisite to a postgraduate research course that relates to critical technology;
- a thesis or research topic that
- is for a postgraduate research course that relates to critical technology
The Minister has not yet specified the kinds of critical technology this Instrument refers to. As a result, the provisions will not be activated until that time.
Fair Work High Income Threshold increases
The Fair Work High Income Threshold—a benchmark used to determine the eligibility of workers to receive certain benefits—will increase to $162,000 from $158,500. This may affect applicants for Global Talent Independent visas as well as those who want to apply for age exemptions in certain skilled visas.
Australian Citizenship payment
From 1 July 2022, fees for Australian Citizenship applications must be paid in Australian dollars only.
Change to Job Ready Program skills assessment with Trade Recognition Australia
From July 1, 2022, new Job Ready Program applicants will be able to contact only three steps. They will be able to register for the JRP Program and find out if they are eligible by visiting the website.
About Australia Migration Services
When it comes to navigating all the work involved in immigrating, sometimes you can feel overwhelmed or unsure how to start. With an Australian migration agency like Australia Migration Services, our MARA Agents have experience and knowledge that will help you from day one. They know what’s required for each type of visa and immigration process so your chances of success are much higher through their help.
