The Department of Home Affairs has released the list of professions from the latest 189 Skilled Independent Visa invitation round that took place on June 13th, 2024. This round saw a total of 5,292 invitations issued across more than 130 different occupations, with a significant focus on construction, healthcare, and engineering fields.
Interestingly, there were no invitations for the 491 Family Sponsored visas this round.
What is the 189 Skilled Independent Visa?
The 189 Visa is a points-tested permanent visa for skilled workers who are not sponsored by an employer, a state or territory, or a family member. This visa allows you to live and work anywhere in Australia as a permanent resident. Key benefits include:
With the ongoing housing shortage and the urgent need to build more housing, building trades have become the most sought-after professions in Australian migration.
Occupations such as carpenter, cabinetmaker, bricklayer, plumber, joiner, electrician, drainer, and glazier received invitations with 65 points or more.
Engineering Occupations
Civil engineer, mining engineer, telecommunication engineer, industrial engineer, transport engineer, and electrical engineer were invited, some requiring at least 85 points.
Healthcare Professionals
Registered nurses were invited with a minimum of 85 points.
Other Notable Occupations and Minimum Points
Chef: 95 points
Accountant: 100 points
Architect: 85 points
Child Care Centre Manager: 85 points
ICT Occupations: 100 points
Internal and External Auditors: 95 points
Motor Mechanic: 95 points
Social Worker: 85 points
Surprising Invitations
These occupations are surprising because they are not often considered the most “in-demand” skills.
Dancer or choreographer
Solicitor
Valuer
189 Occupations and Minimum Points
In general, most occupations required at least 80 points to receive an invitation.
As the end of the fiscal year approaches, many changes are being made to the Australian immigration system. Many of these changes stem from the Budget 2024-25.
We have already posted some videos about these changes, which you can find on our YouTube channel.
Today’s news includes an exciting 189 invitation round, restrictions on applying for student visas, skills assessment updates, and a new visa coming soon.
No Student Visas for Those with Tourist/Visitor or Graduate Visas
From 1 July 2024, visitor visa holders and temporary graduate visa holders will not be able to apply for student visas onshore. In the short term, this will lead to many graduate and visitor visa holders lodging applications before 30 June 2024.
In summary, from 1 July 2024, the following subclasses will not be able to apply for a student visa onshore:
Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate)
Subclass 600 (Visitor)
Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
This is in addition to the visas already listed which cannot make a valid student visa application, which are:
Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)
Subclass 771 (Transit)
Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
189 Invitation Round Released
A 189 Skilled Independent Visa invitation round has just happened On the 13th of June 2024! It includes invitations for a wide range of occupations with high points, many in the range of 85 to 100 points. The occupations include engineers, accountants, ICT professionals, and construction-related trades, such as carpenters and painters.
Before this round, the last few rounds only included invitations for health and teaching professions, which was discouraging for those in other occupations.
The June 2024 round is encouraging for many, as it opens up opportunities for a wide range of occupations.
State Nomination 190 and 491 Visas Updates
Only New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) are still open. The other states are already closed and will reopen in the new financial year.
Increase in the TSMIT
From 1 July 2024, the TSMIT will increase from $70,000 to $73,150.
The TSMIT is the minimum salary that employers are required to pay when they sponsor someone on a 482, 186, or 494 visa.
Any new nominations from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of $73,150.
This change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2024.
Good News for People Seeking to Apply for the 482 Employer-Sponsored Visa
From November 2024, applicants will be able to apply for the 482 employer-sponsored visa after 1 year of experience. Currently, the applicant must have 2 years of full-time experience.
With the shortage of invitations in the points-based visas, this change for the employer-sponsored 482 visa will be welcomed by many students and 408 holders looking for their next visa.
Masters (research) and PhD graduates, as well as Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders, will still be eligible if they are under 50 years of age.
Any applications lodged on or after 1 July 2024 will be assessed under the new subclass 485 visa requirements, which include the reduction of the age limit to 35 and under.
There has been much media commentary in relation to Directions 99 and the decisions of the AAT.
This pertains to visa holders with character issues and some decisions by the AAT to reinstate visas for those with criminal convictions.
A new Direction 110 has been released, emphasizing the protection of the Australian community in visa decisions involving character issues.
ORANA DAMA Expanded
The variation of the Orana Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) has been expanded to include an additional 41 local government areas across inland NSW.
This expansion grants a geographical boundary extension to include the RDA regions of Riverina, Murray, Southern Inland, and Central West.
The variation will support the development and growth of regional NSW, expanding to 129 occupations under the Orana DAMA, giving businesses across 53 local government areas in NSW access to a broader range of skilled workers.
The Skilled Migrant Job Connect Subsidy program is now available through the Migration WA Portal to help onshore migrants cover the costs of skills assessments, gap training, and occupational licensing by providing reimbursements of up to $7,500.
This support aims to assist migrants in gaining employment in Western Australia that aligns with their overseas qualifications, skills, and experience, thereby bolstering the state’s skilled workforce.
This new visa aims to attract exceptionally talented migrants to Australia, such as high-performing entrepreneurs, major investors, and global researchers. Streams of the National Innovation Visa could include:
VETASSESS reopened new applications for Chefs and Fitters, which they stopped last year.
In May, they also reopened to cooks, diesel motor mechanics, and motor mechanics.
Trades Recognition Australia (TRA) Updates
The requirement for mandatory skills assessment through the Offshore Skills Assessment Program (OSAP) has been removed for certain automotive trades from qualified applicants/countries of passport. Applicants can now have their skills assessed through the Migration Skills Assessment (MSA) program. This change provides a less expensive documentary evidence-only assessment option.
Do You Need Help with an Australian Visa Application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application. Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world. You can book an appointment online or call us at (+61) 8 8351 9956.
The Australian government has announced significant revisions to its migration strategy, notably adjusting the Temporary Graduate Visa (subclass 485). A key alteration is the reduction of the age limit for applicants from 50 to 35 years or under, which will have implications for many international students and educational institutions.
Setting an age limit of 35 or under for graduate visas in Australia is likely to substantially affect international postgraduate students and the research capabilities of universities.
The government is planning to introduce the changes from the first of July 2024, as you can read here.
This article will discuss all the implications of age reduction, particularly for the postgraduate research sector, which includes international students studying for a Master’s degree by research or a Doctoral degree in Australia.
FOI Results Show Numerous PhD and Master by Research Students Will Be Impacted
Work Visa Lawyers obtained information from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request released on February 24, 2024, which provided insights on the number of international students who may be affected.
The introduction of a 35-year age limit presents a significant challenge, particularly for PhD candidates, who may surpass this age during their studies. Therefore, being under 31 before starting a PhD becomes crucial.
As of January 31, 2024, Australia hosted 17,574 postgraduate research visa holders, including PhD and Masters by research students. Among them, 45.87% were under 30, 31.93% were aged 30 to 34, and 22.20% were over 35. This suggests up to 50% of current postgraduate research students might be ineligible for a graduate visa upon completing their studies if the age limit is lowered from 50 to 35 or under for all students since many students from 30 to 35 years old will finish their studies over 35 years old.
Masters and PhD Graduates Make Excellent Skilled Migrants
Eligibility for the 485 provides international students the time needed to line up employment and do skills assessments so as the possibility to apply for Australian PR. Without the possibility of a graduate visa many potential students that are over the age of 35 will choose not to study in Australia. This mainly means that Australia misses out on many post graduate students.
Masters and PhD students are more likely to obtain employment and secure better jobs, as seen on page 9 of the "Review of the Points Test Discussion Paper" released in April 2024. The review states:
"Education is strongly associated with positive employment outcomes for migrants. PhD graduates are more likely to be employed than Bachelor graduates, who in turn are more likely to be employed than Vocational Education and Training (VET) graduates. Education is also strongly correlated with incomes — migrants with a PhD earn 20 percent more over 10 years than migrants with a Bachelor degree. Education also has a stronger impact on successful labor market outcomes after five years than on immediate outcomes, reflecting that education enables migrants to adapt to a changing labor market.”
The Review also says: “Migrants with higher levels of education also contribute to a more dynamic economy, and improve the wages of local workers. A focus on education, along with English language skills, means migrants are less likely to be exploited, with modelling by the Grattan Institute showing that workers who are more educated are less likely to be paid below the minimum wage.”
In conclusion, the review says: “All these considerations are not fully reflected in the points test, with a PhD only earning 20 points, whereas a Bachelor degree earns 15, and a trade qualification 10. This does not reflect the degree of difference in outcomes, as the gap can easily be bridged by undertaking a professional year or returning to study in a regional area, which are worth 5 points each."
This implies that individuals with higher educational levels, such as PhD holders, are more likely to find better-paying jobs and will earn more points on the Points Test. Therefore, excluding individuals aged 36 and over from applying for the Graduate Visa will decrease the number of highly qualified and skilled individuals that Australia seeks.
It is concerning that the skills points review recommends more postgraduate migrants while the visa criteria is discriminating against or selecting against postgraduate students.
Effects on the Australian Research Community and Labor Market
The new age restriction is expected to saturate the student visa/graduate market with recent graduates from vocational and bachelor's programs who may lack experience and may find it challenging to secure employment in their field of study.
From my years of experience as an Immigration lawyer I have observed the most favourable employment outcomes come from Master's graduates with approximately 5 years of experience from their home country before pursuing Master's degrees in Australia. This demographic might now be discouraged from studying in Australia due to the new policy.
The average age of individuals entering PhD programs in Australia is 34, highlighting the significant role of mature students in the academic research environment. These students often contribute diverse life experiences and perspectives that enhance research and academic discourse.
Regarding international PhD students in Australia, data indicates a concentration in the early 30s age range, with about 40.9% of foreign PhD graduates remaining in Australia. This underscores their substantial contribution to the Australian research community and labor market.
Should Australia Exclude Mature Students from the Graduate Visa Program?
An age limit of under 35 for obtaining a graduate visa could potentially exclude a considerable portion of these mature students. This could have several implications:
1. Research Diversity and Quality: Mature students, including those over 35, often have substantial professional and life experiences that can contribute to the depth, diversity, and innovation in research. Limiting this group might reduce the richness of academic inquiry and debate within universities.
2. International Collaboration: International students, particularly those pursuing PhDs, play a vital role in the global academic community, fostering international collaboration and cultural exchange. Restricting age could deter these valuable contributors from choosing Australia as their destination, thereby impacting the international ties and networks that Australian universities benefit from.
3. Labor Market and Skill Development: PhD graduates contribute significantly to the high-skill labor market. An age restriction might not only affect the availability of skilled professionals in certain research fields but also limit the opportunities for mature students to further their careers and personal development through advanced research opportunities.
The proposed age limit could also deter international students, especially Ph.D. candidates, from choosing Australia as their destination, impacting the international networks and collaborations that benefit Australian universities.
Furthermore, Ph.D. graduates significantly contribute to the high-skill labor market, and an age restriction might limit the availability of skilled professionals in certain fields, as well as mature students' opportunities for career and personal development through advanced research opportunities.
An Age Policy Solution to Encourage International Post-graduates
A strategic age limit for Graduate Visas could be implementing a tiered age limit, such as 36 for Vocational and Bachelor degrees, 40 for Masters, and 45 for PhDs. This approach could maintain the engagement of international students in post-graduate research, while still advancing the government's migration policy goals of limiting older skilled migrants.
Type of course
Age limit
Degree-level courses or vocational (VET)
Age to 36
Masters
Age to 40
PhD
Age to 45
Further, there should be a transitional period to allow for those who began study in Australia before the 1st of July 2024 to qualify for the graduate visa up to the age of 45. Those that start to study after the 1sf of July 2024 will know that there are new predictions in age limit and so will be able to make a decision based on that acknowledgment rather than having the rough pull down from them once they need the end of the course.
Conclusion:
The recent changes to Australia's Graduate Visa, specifically the reduction of the age limit to 35 years and under, present significant challenges for international postgraduate students, particularly those pursuing research-intensive degrees like PhDs. These changes impact not only the individuals directly affected—older students who bring a wealth of experience and depth to their fields of study—but also the broader academic and research communities in Australia.
Considering the substantial contributions of mature international students to the academic and labor markets, it would be beneficial for the Australian government to reconsider the age restrictions as suggested above.
As the end of the financial year approaches, many changes are being made to the Australian immigration system. In this article, we will go through some of those changes.
The SA regional DAMA now includes 128 new occupations across various sectors, including construction, trade, agribusiness, ICT, health, education, and renewable energy.
Some occupations added are registered nurse in child and family health, registered nurse in disability and rehabilitation, winery worker (beneficial for South Australia's Barossa and Clare Valley), sheep farm worker, truck driver, bricklayer, and floor finisher. Truck driver is particularly notable as it was previously a restricted occupation but is now available for the entire state.
From 10 May 2024, the financial requirement for Student visa applicants will increase from AUD 24,505 to AUD 29,710.
For a spouse or de facto partner of the Student primary applicant, it will increase from AUD 8,574 to AUD 10,394.
For a dependent child, it will increase from AUD 3,670 to AUD 4,449.
The last increase happened in October 2023, and this new increase was not expected for this financial year.
Recent changes to Australian student visa and graduate visa programs signal a significant shift in the landscape of international education and post-study opportunities in the country. Starting from 23 March 2024, these updates include increased English language requirements and the introduction of the genuine student requirement.
TOEFL iBT is now accepted for all Australian visas
TOEFL iBT tests taken from 5 May 2024 are valid for Australian visas and migration purposes. The test must be taken at a secure test center, as the department does not currently accept online English tests.
End of the 476 Visa
As widely expected, the skilled recognized graduate 476 visa will permanently close from 1 July 2024. This is disappointing for many, but it was expected.
Graduate Visa Changes
The main change will be the reduction of the maximum eligible age from under 50 to 35 years and under, proposed to be implemented from 1 July 2024.
Exceptions include Hong Kong and British overseas national passport holders, who will be eligible up to the age of 50.
Other changes for the graduate visa include increasing the minimum English requirement and reducing the validity period for English tests from three years to just one year prior to the application date.
This means applicants may need to check and complete their English tests before applying.
The Australian Government published a paper discussing potential changes to the points test for the 189, 190, and 491 visas.
The review may alter the available points by removing and reducing factors and adding new ones.
Expected changes include reducing or removing points for regional study and NAATI-approved language.
Points for partners may increase, age points might be allocated on a gradual scale, and English points might also follow a more gradual scale.
New Core Skills Occupation List
Jobs and Skills Australia has opened a consultation about the Core Skills Occupation list.
This list will be for the Core Skills visa, designed to replace the 482 employer-sponsored visa with similar requirements.
The consultation categorizes occupations into three groups:
Confident On List – Occupations that Jobs and Skills Australia is certain should remain on the list.
Occupations such as Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and IT Network Administrator are on the Confident On List.
Confident Off List – Occupations recommended for removal based on current labor market insights.
Occupations such as Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Cattle Farmer, ICT Project Manager, and Real Estate Representative are on the Confident Off List.
Targeted for Consultation – Occupations that require further input from stakeholders to determine their necessity and priority.
Occupations such as Chef, Cook, Finance Manager, Web Designer, Hairdresser, and Marketing Specialist are on the Targeted for Consultation List.
Will your occupation be on the new Core Skills Occupation List? Full article here.
VETASSESS Skills Assessment
VETASSESS is accepting new applications again for cook, diesel motor mechanic, and motor mechanic.
Some other trade occupations paused in 2023 are not yet accepted by VETASSESS.
State Nominated 190 and 491 Visas
Victoria, Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory have already closed for expressions of interest. Other states and territories may close soon.
This was a summary of the main news in Australian immigration at the start of May 2024. If you need advice on your specific situation, please book an appointment.
Do you need help with an Australian visa application?
Our team of experienced Immigration Lawyers and Migration Agents look forward to assisting you with your visa application.
Based in Adelaide, South Australia, we provide Australian Immigration advice to people and businesses from all over the world.
The Draft Core Skills Occupations List is an important component of Australia's evolving migration strategy. This draft list categorizes occupations into different streams based on their importance to the economy and the current labor demand, providing a structured approach to manage employer-sponsored migration more effectively.
Core Skills Occupation List
The Core Skills Occupation List is being designed to identify occupations that are essential for Australia’s economic health, particularly those that are in shortage and can benefit from employer-sponsored migration. The list is split into three categories:
Confident On List – Occupations that Jobs and Skills Australia is certain should remain on the list.
Occupations such as Registered Nurse, Social Worker, Diesel Motor Mechanic, and IT Network Administrator are on the Confident On List.
Confident Off List – Occupations recommended for removal based on current labor market insights.
Occupations such as Cafe or Restaurant Manager, Cattle Farmer, ICT Project Manager, and Real Estate Representative are on the Confident Off List.
Targeted for Consultation – Occupations that require further input from stakeholders to determine their necessity and priority.
Occupations such as Chef, Cook, Finance Manager, Web Designer, Hairdresser, and Marketing Specialist are on the Targeted for Consultation List.
Public Consultation Open for the Draft Core Skills Occupations List
The draft Core Skills Occupations List is currently open for public consultation, providing a unique opportunity for stakeholders to influence Australia’s migration landscape. Participants can provide feedback through surveys, submissions, and other forms of engagement as outlined by Jobs and Skills Australia.
The consultation process is a critical step in ensuring that the Core Skills Occupations List is well-rounded and effective in meeting the strategic objectives of Australia's migration and labor policies. Engaging in this process is a way for stakeholders to contribute to the policy-making process, ensuring that their voices are heard and their concerns are addressed.
The JSA notes that this is a draft list and further surveys, submissions, bilateral meetings, and qualitative analysis will be undertaken on the list with the closing date for submissions of 10 May 2024.
Guidelines on the timeline for the release of the final list and for lodging submissions are available on the JSA webpage.
As soon as the Core Skills Occupation List is available, we will update it on our website.
Skills in Demand Visa
The Migration Strategy, released in December 2023, introduced the Skills in Demand Visa. There are three new types of temporary work visas focusing on clear pathways to Australian permanent residency and aiming to alleviate labor shortages.
